Subscribe to updates
You'll receive weekly summaries about Hackney Council every week.
If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.
Prefer no ads? Become a Supporter for £3.50/month
Cabinet - Tuesday 6 October 2026 6.00 pm
October 6, 2026 at 6:00 pm Moved Cabinet View on council websiteSummary
Open Council Network is an independent organisation. We report on Hackney and are not the council. About us
The Cabinet of Hackney Council met on Tuesday 6 October 2026, approving plans to consult on extending smoke control measures to waterways and agreeing to appropriate land for new homes. The meeting also noted the council's overall financial position and the Hackney SEND Reform Plan.
Amendment to Smoke Control Order to Include Waterways
Cabinet approved the commencement of the statutory process to vary the Borough's 2025 Smoke Control Order to include moored vessels. This aims to improve air quality by reducing particulate matter emissions from solid fuel burning on waterways. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the health risks associated with particulate matter, and the Environment Act 2021 has provided local authorities with the power to apply smoke controls to waterways.
The council has secured £493,000 in funding from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to cover the costs of public engagement, signage, and a grant scheme to reimburse eligible boaters 70% of the costs incurred if they upgrade their heating appliances to compliant ones. The process will involve publishing a draft Smoke Control (Variation) Order and seeking public comment. Concerns raised during previous consultations regarding financial impacts, evidence of impacts, fairness, and enforcement have been addressed in the report. The council will also explore the provision of electric hook-up infrastructure for continuous cruisers.
New Homes Programme Tranche 1 Sites - Appropriation of Land for Planning Purposes
Cabinet agreed to the appropriation of land for planning purposes at three New Homes Programme (NHP) sites: Orwell & Welshpool (NHP1.1), Regents Court (NHP1.2), and Selman and Wellday (NHP7). This appropriation, under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, will facilitate the development of 146 new homes, of which 90 will be for council social rent. The land will be temporarily appropriated from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to the General Fund for planning purposes and then returned to the HRA after development completion. This process is designed to de-risk the development of the NHP schemes and prevent delays caused by third-party injunctions. The report noted that the NHP aims to deliver new social rented homes that are energy-efficient and designed with community input.
Hackney SEND Reform Plan & Post-Inspection Action Plan
Cabinet noted the completion of the Hackney SEND Reform Plan and Post-Inspection Action Plan, which have been integrated into the SEND and Inclusion 3-year Strategy (2026-2029). This plan addresses areas for improvement identified in a joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. Key elements of the reform include:
- Localised provision: Repurposing underused school spaces to create approximately 530 local Support Base places and 186 new Specialist Base places across a four-neighbourhood model. This aims to reduce out-of-borough travel and associated transport costs.
- Early intervention: Launching the 'Experts at Hand' service model to upskill mainstream staff and address needs early, with the goal of reducing statutory EHCP escalations.
- Fiscal discipline: Implementing an
invest-to-save
framework to stabilise High Needs Block expenditure growth at 4% annually, without relying on transfers from the general Schools Block.
The plan also noted the establishment of a multi-agency governance framework, including the SEND and Alternative Provision Executive Board, Partnership Board, and Reform Programme Board, to ensure transparent monitoring and milestone tracking. The Department for Education (DfE) has approved the SEND Reform Plan, securing significant grant funding to address the council's Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) overspend.
Overall Financial Position Report - July 2026
Cabinet noted the council's overall financial position as of July 2026, which indicated a forecasted overspend of £6.124 million on the General Fund. This overspend is primarily attributed to increased demand and cost pressures in children's services, particularly in Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, and adult social care. The report highlighted the need for increased government funding and outlined mitigation measures being taken by the Corporate Leadership Team, including the establishment of an Income Generation Group. The report also detailed the council's savings performance for 2026/27, with a forecast of 85.1% of budgeted savings being achieved.
Mayor's Executive Appointments to Outside Bodies
Cabinet noted the Mayor's nominations for appointments to Outside Bodies for the 2026/2027 municipal year. These appointments relate to executive functions and ensure the council is appropriately represented on external organisations and partnership bodies. Notable appointments included Councillor Jacob Cable to the Windrush Coalition of Councils.
Unrestricted Minutes of the Previous Meeting of Cabinet
Cabinet approved the unrestricted and restricted minutes of the previous meetings of Cabinet held on 10 July and 22 September 2026.
Unrestricted Minutes of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee
Cabinet noted the minutes of the previous meetings of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee held on 1 June and 15 July 2026.
Exclusion of the Press and Public
Cabinet resolved to exclude the press and public from the discussion of remaining agenda items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
-
Restricted Minutes of the Previous Meeting of Cabinet
Recommendations Approved -
F S732 September 2026 Capital Update and Property Disposals And Acquisitions Report - Exempt
Recommendations Approved -
Exclusion of the Press and Public
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Hackney Council on Tuesday 06 October 2026 resolved to exclude the press and public from discussion of the remaining agenda items. This decision was made on the grounds of likely disclosure of exempt information.
-
HCE S758 New Homes Programme Tranche 1 Sites - Appropriation of Land for Planning Purposes - Exempt
Recommendations Approved -
Mayor’s Executive Appointments to Outside Bodies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Hackney Council approved the Elected Mayor's nominations for appointments to Outside Bodies for 2026/2027 on 06 October 2026. The decision noted the nominated councillors for various external organisations including the Windrush Coalition of Councils, Central London Forward Employment & Skills Board, and CREATE London Ltd.
-
Unrestricted Minutes of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee
Recommendations approvedThe Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee approved the minutes of previous meetings on 06/10/2026. The committee also approved the appointment of Councillor Rachel Nkiessu-Guifo as Chair and noted the Terms of Reference for the municipal year 2026/27.
-
HCE S739 Amendment to Smoke Control Order to include Waterways
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of Hackney Council decided on 06/10/2026 to approve commencing the statutory process to vary the Borough's 2025 Smoke Control Order. This process will involve seeking public comment on a new draft order that extends smoke control provisions to include moored vessels. The decision includes securing £493k funding from DEFRA for a grant scheme to help eligible boaters upgrade heating appliances and providing financial advice to those not eligible.
-
Hackney SEND Reform Plan & Post-Inspection Plan - Non-key decision
For DeterminationThe Hackney Cabinet noted the completion of the Hackney SEND Reform Plan & Post-Inspection Action Plan on 06/10/2026, pending Department for Education approval. The Cabinet also noted the "invest-to-save" financial framework, the 'Experts at Hand' service model, the capital allocation strategy for local Support Base and Specialist Base places, the multi-agency governance framework, and the integration of the Inspection Action Plan into the SEND and Inclusion Strategy.
-
F S731 2026/27 Overall Financial Position Report - July 2026
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of Hackney Council noted the council's overall financial position as at July 2026 on 06/10/2026. The council is forecasting an overspend of £6.124m on the General Fund. The Corporate Leadership Team is taking action to mitigate cost pressures and an Income Generation Group has been established.
-
HCE S758 Appropriation of Land for Planning Purposes at three New Homes Programme (NHP) sites
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of Hackney decided on 06/10/2026 to note the completion of the Hackney SEND Reform Plan & Post-Inspection Action Plan, pending Department for Education approval. The Cabinet also noted the "invest-to-save" strategic financial framework, the 'Experts at Hand' service model, the capital allocation strategy for local Support Base and Specialist Base places, the multi-agency governance framework, and the integration of the Inspection Action Plan into the SEND and Inclusion 3-year Strategy.
The Cabinet of Hackney decided on 06/10/2026 to agree to the appropriation of land for planning purposes at three New Homes Programme sites. The Cabinet also agreed that the land will be appropriated back to the Housing Revenue Account for housing purposes after development completion. The Executive Director - Housing, Climate and Economy, and Executive Director - Finance & Corporate Resources were authorised to effect these appropriations.
Attendees
Topics
Meeting Documents
Additional Documents