The Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission met on Monday 18 March 2024 to discuss the performance and sustainability of the Library of Things service and to review the Council's approach to managing its corporate property assets. The Commission also reviewed the minutes of previous meetings and discussed the future work programme.

Library of Things

The Commission reviewed the performance and impact of the Library of Things service in Hackney. The service, which allows residents to borrow items for short-term use, has been successful in promoting resource sharing, reducing waste, and saving residents money. The Dalston Library of Things, a social enterprise supported by Hackney Council, has seen steady usage with an average of 47 borrows per week. The service aligns with the Council's strategic objectives for a greener and healthier borough and contributes to its net-zero ambitions by reducing consumption-based emissions.

Discussions highlighted the service's positive impact, with users reporting buying fewer items and saving an estimated £0.5 million collectively. The service has also saved approximately 28 tonnes of waste and 84 tonnes of CO2. While the current contract for the Dalston site runs until July 2025, a feasibility study is underway to explore opening a new site in another library. Challenges include the cost of establishing new sites and ensuring financial sustainability, with a potential need for council funding if minimum borrowing levels are not met. The service is also working on improving its outreach to diverse communities and translating its software into other languages.

Strategic Property Services - Corporate Assets

The Commission reviewed the governance structure and decision-making processes of Hackney Council's Strategic Property Services. This department is responsible for managing the Council's diverse property portfolio, which is valued at approximately £2.5 billion and includes over 300 properties. The service aims to extract maximum value from these assets to support the Council's strategic goals, including its manifesto commitments and net-zero targets.

Key discussions focused on how the Council manages its capital programme amidst budget constraints and environmental challenges. The presentation highlighted the ongoing asset review process, which uses data on asset condition, cost, and environmental performance to inform decisions on asset use, acquisition, and disposal. The Council is actively working to improve the environmental performance of its buildings, including schools and its commercial portfolio, with a target to achieve EPC B standard for all assets by 2030. This involves significant investment in upgrades, such as facade repairs and the potential installation of heat pumps. The review of the commercial estate also considers the financial viability of retaining certain assets, with a potential for disposal if they do not meet energy efficiency standards or are not economically viable to maintain. The Commission also discussed the challenges of repurposing assets, particularly disused school sites, and the importance of community use and financial sustainability.

Minutes of Previous Meeting and Work Programme

The Commission agreed the draft minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 December 2023. They also discussed the work programme for the upcoming municipal year, with potential items including the nighttime economy, the new community strategy, and further discussions on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).