The Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission met to review the achievements of the administration from 2022-2026, discuss the strategic plan, and plan the commission's work programme for 2025/26. Cabinet members presented updates on their respective areas, and councillors discussed progress, challenges, and future priorities. The commission agreed to review the council's corporate assets and to examine the Executive’s progress on fulfilling its 2022 commitments at its next meeting.

Administration Achievements 2022-2026: Cabinet Member Updates

The bulk of the meeting was dedicated to updates from various cabinet members and deputy cabinet members on their achievements, challenges, and priorities for the final year of the administration, in relation to the Hackney Council Strategic Plan.

Councillor Chris Kennedy: Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture

Councillor Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture, discussed progress against manifesto pledges, highlighting both successes and failures.

St Leonard's Hospital

Councillor Kennedy reported on Pledge 29, regarding St Leonard's Hospital, which aimed to support a partnership-led One Public Estate approach to retain public sector land for public sector organisations. He noted that the pledge was rated amber, explaining that an expression of interest from Homerton Healthcare in the site was halted by the then Secretary of State for Health, Steve Barkley. However, Councillor Kennedy stated that the council is re-engaging in discussions about the site, and that the local plan envisions a mixed-use development including healthcare, housing, and retail.

Libraries

Councillor Kennedy reported on the five library pledges, noting three were rated green, one amber, and one red. Successes included upskilling library staff and high resident satisfaction. He cited examples of library activities such as multilingual storytelling, summer library quests, weaving workshops with older residents, and refugee week at Hackney Museum.

However, he noted challenges in delivering major investment in all libraries, marking this pledge as amber. Councillor Kennedy explained that leveling up funding had been secured for Hackney Central Library, and work was ongoing at Stamford Hill Library, but asbestos discoveries and scaffolding issues had caused delays.

A pledge to introduce a new library and cultural hub at Woodbury Down was marked red due to resource constraints, although Councillor Kennedy noted that £90,000 of funding had been secured for the existing volunteer-led library there.

Councillor Joe Walker: Strengthening Neighbourhoods

Councillor Joe Walker, Deputy Cabinet Member for Strengthening Neighbourhoods, focused on the voluntary community sector (VCS), highlighting its importance in delivering frontline services and employing skilled practitioners. He detailed a consultation process undertaken to understand the challenges facing the sector, focusing on resource, partnership, and power dynamics.

Councillor Walker reported that two papers would be brought to cabinet this month, one on the VCS strategy and another on the redesign of the council's grants programme. He acknowledged a 33% reduction in funding for the grants programme, leading to difficult decisions about what not to fund. The council has shifted funding away from project grants towards strategic core funding and five-year grants to provide more security for organisations.

The heritage and immunity grants were removed from the grants programme, and the grant to Happy Food Bank was also cut, with the funding repurposed to employ a food coordinator to strategically address food poverty across the borough. Councillor Walker emphasised that these changes were about reviewing and resetting the council's relationship with the VCS, not retreating from its responsibilities.

Councillor Susan Fajano-Thomas: Regulatory Services

Councillor Susan Fajano-Thomas, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, provided an update on licensing, the night-time economy, and markets.

In licensing, she reported on the review and development of a public cumulative impact assessment¹, noting that Shoreditch remained a cumulative impact assessment area, while the Dalston area was now a special consideration area.

Councillor Fajano-Thomas highlighted the approval of Hackney's first evening and night-time economy strategy, developed with input from 1,403 residents, 192 visitors, 78 businesses, and 15 night workers. The strategy focuses on safety, inclusivity, and economic growth. She also mentioned the Hackney night accreditation scheme, which provides training to frontline staff on issues such as drink spiking, sexual harassment, and conflict management.

In markets, Councillor Fajano-Thomas reported on the development of a market strategy for 2023-2028 and efforts to promote street markets and support traders. Hackney markets attract over 7.1 million shoppers annually and contribute over £20 million to the local economy. She highlighted the open market platform developed with the GLA² to transform trader access and service delivery.

Councillor Carole Williams: Employment, HR, Inequalities

Councillor Carole Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, HR, Inequalities, provided an update on employment, skills, and adult learning services. Hackney Works has been instrumental in securing jobs, work experience, and training opportunities for local residents. The Leading Inclusive Futures through Technology (LIFT) programme has provided employment and work experience for underrepresented groups in the technology sector.

The council has delivered 102 apprenticeships, including 71 new Hackney Council apprentices and 31 new starts across maintained schools. 14 participants graduated from the first cohort of the Hackney 100 paid work placement programme. The Hackney 100 Skills Plus programme combines accredited English and maths courses with paid work experience for those aged over 25.

Ofsted rated the adult learning programme as good, noting an ambitious curriculum, inclusive practice, and strong links to employment support. 360 residents participated in 12 green-focused adult learning courses, and a commission is underway to expand to 17 green skill courses with over 600 learner places in 2025/26.

Challenges include delivery issues with the Project Search programme at Homerton Hospital and Hackney Sixth Form College, and ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the supported internship programme. Councillor Williams noted that Hackney Works is an operational team and that there is a lot of call on their time from other services across the council.

Councillor Sarah Young: Climate Change, Environment and Transport

Councillor Sarah Young, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, reported on progress in climate action, transport, and waste management.

In climate action, she highlighted the declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 and the production of a climate action plan and implementation plan. The council has planted over 5,000 trees and implemented sustainable urban drainage systems to adapt to climate change. A climate jury provided recommendations on overheating, which are being implemented.

Hackney has over 50 school streets and 70% of its streets are in low traffic neighbourhoods. The council is introducing livable neighbourhoods in Chatsworth, Dawson, and Hoxton. Over 2,000 cycle hangers have been installed, including on estates. The council is partnering with Zest to install electric vehicle charging points and offering a lower rate to Hackney Light and Power customers.

Hackney Light and Power is delivering the community energy fund and a residential solar project, creating microgrids to sell cheaper energy to residents. The community energy fund has supported energy efficiency measures in numerous buildings, including schools, faith buildings, and arts charities.

On transport, Councillor Young reported on improvements to junctions and roads to enhance road safety, and an increase in car club provision, including electric vehicles. The council is also working on closer management of e-hire bikes.

In waste management, the council is promoting libraries of things, fixing factories, and repairs vouchers. A commitment on a nappy service and supporting reusable nappy service has been met. While recycling rates have increased, the overall amount of waste produced has not decreased.

Councillor Guy Nicholson and Councillor Sam Pallas: Regeneration and Inclusive Economy

Councillor Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Regeneration, focused on regeneration activities across the borough. He noted significant investments in Hackney Central, including UK government funding for public realm improvements and the transformation of the town hall square. In Hackney Wick, new homes are being built, and the Here East campus employs nearly 6,000 people. The Victoria and Albert Museum storehouse project has also opened in Hackney Wick.

In Shoreditch, a new area plan is being developed, and Amazon has expanded its office footprint, including the acquisition of two additional buildings. Councillor Nicholson emphasised the importance of supporting small businesses and maintaining an enterprise culture.

Councillor Sam Pallas, Deputy Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, discussed the council's business support programme, Hackney Impact, which has supported 339 businesses, 36% of which are black and global majority businesses, and created 115 jobs. A £1 million fund has supported 51 new affordable workspace units and 89 jobs. The council is also focused on supporting the green economy and social businesses.

Councillor Pallas highlighted the importance of intentionality in procurement and shaping growth, with a social value requirement of 15% and a goal to reach 20%. The council is working to include co-ops in the procurement hierarchy and has lobbied for social businesses to be included in the growth plan. Challenges include the comms piece and ensuring that growth benefits all residents.

Questions and Follow-Up

Following the cabinet member updates, councillors raised questions and comments. Topics included:

• The possibility of extended library opening times around exam seasons.
• The impact of changes to grant funding on key projects.
• The role of libraries in supporting the voluntary sector.
• The development of new markets.
• The potential for social value via procurement strategy.
• Progress on reducing total miles driven on Hackney roads.
• The success and potential expansion of the library of things.
• The implementation of recommendations from the citizens jury on climate.
• The demographics of those using reusable nappy vouchers.
• Progress on enabling every child in Hackney to learn to ride a bike by age 10.
• The Stoke Newington gyratory.
• Supporting schools to achieve net zero by 2030.
• Equality impact assessments in policy development.
• Working with the City of London Corporation on the area action plan for Shoreditch.
• Progress on the space bank initiative.
• Progress on the eastern trade guild's community land trust.
• Preventing the conversion of shops and workplaces into low-quality housing.
• Realising the aspiration for Hackney business inclusive growth districts.

Councillors expressed interest in inviting cabinet members back for future meetings to discuss specific topics in more detail, including changes to library hours, consultation responses, the nighttime strategy, social value in procurement, and the transport strategy.

Work Programme 2025/26

The commission discussed its work programme for the upcoming municipal year. Councillor Clare Potter, Chair of the Scrutiny Commission, noted that the public survey had closed on 13 June 2025 and that all suggestions received had been collated.

Councillor Potter recommended that the commission review the council's corporate assets in relation to the recommendation made in the Corporate Peer Challenge Review at its first meeting in June 2025. She also suggested that the commission review the Executive's progress on fulfilling the commitments made to residents in 2022.

Councillor Gilbert Smyth suggested an item on the impact of road closures on Lordship Lane.

The commission agreed to review the public feedback and develop a final plan for the year in September.

Other Business

There was no other business.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the previous meeting on 7 April 2025 were approved, subject to a correction noting Councillor Jasmine Martins's physical presence at the meeting.