The Scrutiny Panel meeting scheduled for Wednesday 11 March 2026 was set to cover a range of important council functions. Key discussions were planned around the Mayor's Cabinet Question Time, an update on the Council's Digital and Data Management Strategies, and a review of the Scrutiny Panel Budget Scrutiny Report for 2026/27, including the Executive's response. The meeting also included the review of previous minutes and the Scrutiny Panel's work programme.

Mayor's Cabinet Question Time

The meeting was scheduled to include a session of Mayor's Cabinet Question Time, a core element of the scrutiny function designed to hold the Mayor and Cabinet to account in public. Mayor Caroline Woodley, who holds overall responsibility for budget, strategy, and policy, was expected to provide verbal responses to pre-notified topic areas. These included an update on the Mayor's current priorities within Hackney's Strategic Plan, an update on the implementation of recommendations from the Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge Review, and information regarding the Mayor's advocacy work to secure financial resources for the London Borough of Hackney.

Digital and Data Management Strategies for Hackney Council

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to understanding Hackney Council's Digital and Data Management Strategies. The Scrutiny Panel was keen to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation will be employed to equip staff with the necessary skills and technology to enhance services for residents. The discussion was intended to cover the vision and key principles for the utilisation of AI and automation, and how these align with the broader Digital Strategy 2025-28, which was adopted in October 2025. Furthermore, the panel was scheduled to review the governance and decision-making arrangements in place to ensure the safe and ethical deployment of AI and automation. The discussion also aimed to understand how residents and staff will benefit from services transformed by AI and automation, and the provisions in place to ensure responsible usage. The report pack included A Digital Strategy for Hackney 2025-28, outlining five key themes: a digitally accessible council, a digital workplace, a digitally inclusive borough, a data-informed organisation, and a digital place.

Scrutiny Panel Budget Scrutiny Report 2026/27 and Executive Response

The meeting was also scheduled to consider the Scrutiny Panel Budget Scrutiny Report for 2026/27, alongside the Executive's response and a cumulative equality impact assessment. This report detailed the outcomes of the Budget Scrutiny Task & Finish Panel's work, which had interrogated the drivers of increased need for vital services supporting residents facing homelessness and those requiring support from Children's and Adult social care. The report also provided detailed feedback on savings proposals, focusing on their impact on vulnerable and marginalised residents. The Executive's response addressed overarching themes and cross-cutting issues raised by the Task & Finish Panel, including comments on transparency of business cases, financial clarity and deliverability, public engagement and communications, and the need for a one council approach. The cumulative equality impact assessment analysed the potential impacts of savings proposals on groups protected by the Equality Act 2010 and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage, highlighting cross-cutting themes such as digitalisation, financial pressures, and reduced service access as posing risks for older people, disabled residents, low-income households, and families with SEND.

Minutes of the Meeting and Work Programme

The panel was also scheduled to review and agree the minutes from previous meetings held on 6 October 2025, 19 January 2026, and 27 January 2026. Additionally, the Scrutiny Panel's rolling work programme for 2025/2026 was presented for review, with members invited to provide comments, amendments, or suggestions. The work programme indicated planned future discussions on topics such as the Housing Ombudsman Special Report, the Council's Budget, the Mayor's Cabinet Question Time, and the Digital and Data Management Strategies.