The Cabinet of Hackney Council met on Monday 27 April 2026, approving updated policies on private rented sector enforcement and civil penalties, and endorsing the establishment of a management company for the Britannia Project. The meeting also saw the approval of a nomination for a Local Authority Governor at All Saints Catholic High School.

Updates to Enforcement and Civil Penalty Notice Policies

The Cabinet approved significant updates to Hackney Council's Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy and Civil Penalty Notice Policy. These changes are driven by new legislation, including the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which comes into effect on 1 May 2026, and the Hackney Selective Licensing Scheme 2025, also effective from 1 May 2026. These legislative changes impose a duty on local authorities to enforce landlord legislation within their areas, granting additional powers and responsibilities.

The updated policies, based on best practice models from the Association of Chief Environmental Health Officers in England, aim to ensure landlords meet higher standards in the private rented sector. This includes addressing issues such as unlawful eviction, harassment, failure to comply with improvement notices, overcrowding, and breaches of HMO and selective licensing conditions. The policies also detail the framework for issuing civil penalties, with varying maximum amounts depending on the severity of the offence, ranging from £7,000 to £40,000. The Council's approach to determining penalty amounts considers factors such as the seriousness of the breach, landlord culpability, harm caused to tenants, and the need for deterrence. A discount of 20% is offered for prompt payment of civil penalties.

The report highlighted that rents in Hackney are nearly double the national average, and the policies include provisions to adjust penalty levels to reflect this, ensuring a stronger deterrent effect. An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) was conducted, concluding that the policies are expected to have a positive impact across all protected characteristics by improving housing conditions and reducing discrimination. Specific attention will be paid to hazards disproportionately affecting older people and children, and engagement with diverse communities will be prioritised. The Council will also work with advocacy groups to ensure the policies are inclusive and effective for all residents.

Britannia Project - Set up of a Management Company

The Cabinet approved the establishment of a wholly owned Council company, limited by guarantee, to manage the residential blocks at 1 Brafa Square and 2 Brafa Square, which form the final phase of the Britannia masterplan development. This new entity, to be named the Management Company (ManCo), will be responsible for providing property management services to leaseholders.

The decision to create a ManCo aligns with industry best practice and is intended to ensure clear accountability and transparency in service charge costs. The ManCo will operate on a not-for-profit basis, with its costs recharged to leaseholders through service charges. The Council will act as the Intelligent Shareholder, nominating three officers to serve as Directors of the ManCo. Following the sale of the last private apartment, the Council will grant an intermediate lease to the ManCo, transferring management responsibilities. This approach aims to mirror typical private sector management structures, avoiding the burden of public procurement rules for leaseholders in the long term. The Council will retain the reversions to shared ownership flats and one commercial unit, continuing to act as the immediate landlord for these properties. The report outlined potential risks, including the ManCo's ability to collect service charges and the Managing Agent's performance, with mitigation strategies in place, such as board oversight and contractual agreements.

Nomination for Appointment of Local Authority Governor - All Saints Catholic High School

The Cabinet approved the nomination of Naa-Odoley Ntodi as a Local Authority Governor for All Saints Catholic High School. This nomination is a procedural step, with the final appointment resting with the school's Governing Body. Ms. Ntodi is a Business Consultant with a Master's Degree from the University of Oxford, bringing expertise in strategic leadership, finance, and data analysis, alongside a commitment to educational equity. The Governing Body has expressed support for this nomination.

Other Decisions

The Cabinet also noted the Unrestricted Minutes of the Previous Meeting of Cabinet and the Unrestricted Minutes of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee. The meeting also included the Elected Mayor's Opening Remarks and a decision to exclude the press and public from discussions on remaining agenda items due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.