Marking one year as Mayor of Hackney

This month marks one year since I was elected Mayor of Hackney. Hackney is my home, it’s where I’ve raised my son and seen first hand the challenges and opportunities met by younger generations growing up in this borough. It’s where I want to join our older generations in ageing well, with access to life-long learning and opportunity. 

It has been the greatest honour to serve and champion our communities over the past year. Hackney is a place for everyone! We take pride in our culture, our heritage and our diversity. With 89 languages spoken across this borough, I will always uphold a culture of welcome and belonging.

I am incredibly proud of all we have achieved over the last twelve months, especially in my three priority areas of housing, tackling poverty and retaining Hackney’s place as a Climate leader. Together we have built award-winning social homes and committed to an intensive improvement programme in maintenance and repairs. We have helped to secure over £2m in additional financial support for eligible residents. And we have led the way with our investment in community energy, bringing solar panels and cheaper heating opportunities to schools, estates, leisure centres, community and faith settings right across the borough.

There is so much more that could be listed here, including the work of the Council’s core services in public health, social care, homelessness prevention and the teams who take care of our streets and green spaces. We have won 31 Green Flags for some of the best parks and green spaces in London. We have also seen our children’s and youth justice services approved by Ofsted, and worked with parents, carers and professionals on developing guidance for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, as they prepare for adulthood.

Other highlights include the launch of sector-leading children and family hubs and two new GP surgeries, one of which meant we could also restore the heritage site the Portico in Clapton. Another heritage site that was previously at risk reopened in Abney Park - at its centre a chapel with stained glass windows representing the four seasons designed with the help of local school children, along with new workshops, a community room and a cafe - all delivered with care to retain the rewilded ecology of the Magnificent Seven cemetery.

I’ve been heartened by the strength in partnership we’ve forged with volunteers, but also with the emergency services and with business - particularly with sign-up to our responsible business charter. We established a business support programme worth £630,000, developed an affordable workspace programme and worked proactively to make our homes, streets and night life economy safer. We will continue to focus on addressing anti-social behaviour and tackling violence against women and girls.

Without a doubt, none of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of council staff, community groups, voluntary organisations and the dedication and creativity shown by Hackney’s people. I am also very grateful to all the councillors, across party lines and in the heart of my Cabinet, who honour their commitment to serve and to represent Hackney residents.

This past year has presented a great number of challenges, many of which continue to deeply affect our communities. After 14 years of cuts to public services, imposed by the previous Government, the Council’s finances have come under unprecedented pressure due to increasing demand in adult and children’s social care and homelessness prevention.

These challenges won’t get any easier. With an ever growing part of our budget going towards a small number of vital services that we have a legal and moral duty to provide, there will be less to go around for the hundreds of other things we do, all of which make a real difference in Hackney.

However, the strength of Hackney’s communities and the additional support we have already seen coming in from the new national government, leave much reason for hope and optimism.

In the year ahead, I will do all I can to ensure the needs of Hackney’s people are met and will drive forward my priorities of tackling the housing crisis so Hackney residents have safe and secure homes; combating poverty and inequality by supporting those grappling with the cost of living; and building on our position as a climate leader to reduce energy bills, deliver active travel, cleaner air and do our bit to protect the planet for future generations.

This will require a lot of hard work from a lot of people. But this has never been something we’ve shied away from in Hackney. We will continue working together and changing together, protecting our most vulnerable and meeting challenges head on.

Caroline Woodley
Mayor of Hackney