Councillor Margaret Gordon

Annual Meeting, Council - Wednesday 14 May 2025 7.00 pm

The annual meeting of Hackney Council included the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the establishment of committees, and a review of procedure rules. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss appointments to outside bodies and a dispensation to extend the six-month rule for Councillor Michael Levy.

Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission - Wednesday 30 April 2025 7.00 pm

The Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission met to discuss behaviour management and school inclusion, the school estates strategy, and the work programme for the remainder of the municipal year. As part of the discussion on behaviour management, the commission was scheduled to hear from Mervin Cato, Head of Behaviour Support Service, Nexus & Anna Vaughan, Project Manager, Nexus (LB Enfield), Rob Williams, Senior Policy Adviser, National Association of Headteachers, and Jason Marantz, Director of Education & Inclusion, LB Hackney. The commission was also scheduled to note a response from Deputy Mayor Anntoinette Bramble, Cabinet member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care, regarding the School Estates & Education Sufficiency Strategy.

Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission - Wednesday 23 April 2025 7.00 pm

This joint session of the Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission and the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission focused on neurodevelopmental pathways for autism and ADHD in both children and adults. The discussion covered the increase in diagnoses, efforts to reduce waiting lists, early identification strategies, and the impact of assessment delays. The meeting also highlighted the implementation of the City and Hackney Autistic Friendly Neighbourhood Pilot and a feasibility study for an Autism Hub.

Scrutiny Panel - Thursday 10 April 2025 7.00 pm

The Hackney Council Scrutiny Panel met to discuss key issues facing the borough, including the delivery of manifesto commitments, the corporate transformation programme, and the scrutiny improvement review. Councillor Margaret Gordon, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, led the meeting, which included a Cabinet Question Time with Mayor Caroline Woodley. The panel approved the Scrutiny Panel Response and Action Plan for the London Borough of Hackney Scrutiny Improvement Review.

Constitution Committee - Tuesday 8 April 2025 5.30 pm

The Constitution Committee was scheduled to meet on 8 April 2025 to discuss proposed amendments to the council's procedure rules and petition scheme, as well as receive an update on the one-year review of the council's constitution. The proposed changes to the procedure rules are intended to address issues raised in a Corporate Peer Challenge[^2] and to improve the efficiency of council meetings. The committee was also expected to review feedback on the constitution from elected members, staff, and the public.