Councillor Gilbert Smyth
Email: gilbert.smyth@hackney.gov.uk
Council: Hackney
Council Profile: View on council website
Committees:
Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
91 meetings · Page 1 of 19
Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission - Tuesday 9 December 2025 7.00 pm
The Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission met to discuss Hackney's transport strategy, collaboration with Transport for London (TfL), and the commission's work programme for the coming year. The meeting also included a review of the minutes from a previous meeting.
Licensing Sub Committee D - Tuesday 9 December 2025 2.00 pm
The Hackney Council Licensing Sub Committee D is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 9 December 2025 to discuss licensing applications for two premises, as well as temporary event notices. The committee will also review standard procedures and elect a chair. All Licensing Sub-Committee Hearings will be held remotely and live-streamed.
Licensing Sub Committee B - Monday 1 December 2025 7.00 pm
This meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee B included a discussion of licensing sub-committee hearing procedures, an application for a premises licence for an Aldi supermarket, and temporary event notices. The meeting was scheduled to be held remotely and live-streamed via YouTube. Councillors Christopher Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture, Gilbert Smyth, and Faruk Tinaz were listed as the members of the sub-committee.
Council - Wednesday 26 November 2025 7.00 pm
The Hackney Council meeting on 26 November 2025 addressed key issues including rent controls, the Shoreditch Area Action Plan, and pension fund management. The council approved a motion supporting rent controls and adopted the Future Shoreditch Area Action Plan for submission to the government. Additionally, the council noted the Annual Report of the Pensions Committee 2024/25 and the Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap 2025 report.
Licensing Sub Committee A - Tuesday 25 November 2025 7.00 pm
The Hackney Council Licensing Sub-Committee A met on 25 November 2025 and approved a variation to the premises licence for The Black Eel, formerly known as Draughts. The variation includes changes to the layout, an increase in capacity, and the addition of new conditions to the licence.
Decisions from Meetings
212 decisions · Page 30 of 43
To consider the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 17 December 2024
From: Council - Setting of Council Tax and Local Business Rates 2025/26, Council - Wednesday 29 January 2025 7.00 pm - January 29, 2025
Recommendations Approved
Addressing Housing Support for Families of Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
From: Council - Setting of Council Tax and Local Business Rates 2025/26, Council - Wednesday 29 January 2025 7.00 pm - January 29, 2025
...to note receipt of the deputation regarding addressing housing support for families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and to approve the recommendations.
Recommendations Approved
Calculation of 2024/25 Council Tax Base and Local Business Rate Income 2025/26
From: Council - Setting of Council Tax and Local Business Rates 2025/26, Council - Wednesday 29 January 2025 7.00 pm - January 29, 2025
...to set the Council Tax Base for 2025/26 at 78,754.1 Band D equivalent properties and forecast non-domestic rating income for 2025/26 at £208,868,663, with no changes to the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
Recommendations Approved
Hackney Independent Socialists Group Motion: End the Hostile Environment Against Migrants
From: Council - Setting of Council Tax and Local Business Rates 2025/26, Council - Wednesday 29 January 2025 7.00 pm - January 29, 2025
...to end the hostile environment against migrants, the Council unanimously resolved to carry an amended motion that included lobbying the Home Secretary to end the hostile environment policy, review visa fees, restore order to the asylum system, expand funding for migrant support, and set out plans for the legal aid system, while also working to ensure that migrant support offers continue to meet the needs of the community.
Recommendations Approved
Green Group Motion: Call on the Government to Abolish Right to Buy Immediately
From: Council - Setting of Council Tax and Local Business Rates 2025/26, Council - Wednesday 29 January 2025 7.00 pm - January 29, 2025
...to refer the Green Group Motion calling for the abolition of Right to Buy to the next full council meeting for discussion.
Recommendations Approved
Summary
Meetings Attended: 91
Average per Month: 4.6
Decisions Recorded: 212