“Inclusive, exciting and ambitious” – Hackney Council praised in peer report
An action plan to ensure Hackney Council builds on its success over the last two decades has been agreed by the Council’s Cabinet after a report praised Hackney as “an inclusive, exciting and ambitious council, committed to delivering for its residents.”
The Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge report has recognised Hackney Council as a strong, high-performing Council, highlighting its understanding of communities in the borough, its ambitions for addressing inequality, and the positive outcomes delivered for residents.
The report has been published after a team of senior officers and councillors from other UK councils carried out a four-day visit to Hackney, meeting over 100 councillors, staff, partners and residents.
The report also provides valuable recommendations to help the Council build on its strengths, including suggestions on addressing the urgency of the Council’s financial challenges, working with external partners, supporting elected members, and transforming how the Council works to deliver the changes needed.
In Hackney, we are proud of our journey over the last two decades. We have pioneered new and innovative approaches to delivering services, from building award-winning council housing to tackling the climate emergency. Today we lead the way with sought after schools, beautifully maintained green spaces and top-of-the-range leisure facilities.
At the same time, we face the grave challenges of longstanding deprivation, inequality, and increased demand for public services. The huge financial pressures felt across local government and our partner organisations mean we cannot stand still. We have to be ready to learn, improve, and understand where we need to do more to deliver on our commitments to Working Together for a Better Hackney.
The Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge forms a key part of our improvement process. We fully accept these recommendations, which do not mean a fundamental shift in how the Council is working, but instead support the work we are already beginning to do – in some areas encouraging us to scale up and do more.
This action plan report sets out how we will act on these recommendations, which will support our ongoing commitment to working together for a greener, healthier, fairer and safer Hackney, and for every child in the borough.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, and Dawn Carter-McDonald, Chief Executive
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