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A new “pocket park” has opened in Hackney Central, the first project to be delivered from £19 million of Government funding for investment in public spaces and community facilities, making the area greener and more accessible for local residents, businesses and visitors.Marvin Street has been transformed from a dead-end street with car parking spaces into a public space with trees and plants, an idea originally proposed by local residents who wanted to see more green areas in their neighbourhood. A consultation launched with people and businesses in Hackney Central about the idea in 2023 showed over 72% of people supported the proposals.The park is designed for the community to enjoy the garden while walking through, responding to research showing many journeys in Hackney are made on foot, and over 70% of households in the area who say they do not own a car or van. A decision not to include seating will address requests from local residents about discouraging large night time gatherings. Plans to prioritise a greener Hackney Central also include two new electric car charging bays and a dockless cycle hire bay for sustainable travel at the site. In response to the need for local businesses to accommodate deliveries, the designs also include a 10m loading bay.Changes in Hackney Central are being brought forward with support from £19 million in government funding, allocated to areas across the UK in 2023 for investment in projects and places to benefit communities. Sign up to the Hackney Central newsletter to receive regular updates about what’s happening.Visit our consultation page to find out how you can get involved with shaping the changes.

In Hackney we are incredibly fortunate to have a vibrant voluntary and community sector made up of dedicated organisations, working tirelessly to support our communities. The work of these groups has a profound and lasting impact on the lives of Hackney residents.Everybody at Hackney Council acknowledges the contribution made by these organisations. They often work under difficult circumstances, helping those most in need. Their commitment to our borough is deeply valued by both the Council and the people of Hackney.It is with this appreciation in mind that I must be open about a difficult decision we have had to make. Like councils across the country, Hackney is facing unprecedented financial pressures. Rising costs, reduced funding from central government, and the growing demand for essential services have left us with no choice but to make tough decisions. One of those is the need to reduce the grants we provide to voluntary and community organisations.We understand the importance of the support these organisations provide, and we know this decision will be disappointing for many. Councillor Rob Chapman has outlined some of the challenges we face in more detail, but I want to assure residents, and our partners, that we have not made this decision lightly.While we are reducing funding, we remain committed to working with the voluntary sector in other ways. We want to help organisations continue their critical work by helping them find new sources of funding, forming new partnerships, and offering advice and guidance during this transition. We also continue to support the sector in other ways, such as through our letting of commercial properties at reduced rates. We make over 40 such properties available to partners at heavily discounted rates and we have, for example, just handed over the keys to the new East and Southeast Asian Centre on Englefield Road. We believe that through collaboration and innovation we can find new ways of working that will help these organisations not just survive, but thrive.Now more than ever, we must come together as a community. By working closely with the voluntary sector, we can ensure that even in challenging times, we continue to meet the needs of Hackney’s residents.We are grateful for all that these organisations do, and we are committed to supporting them through this difficult period.Thank you for your understanding and continued support.Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture; and Cllr Joe Walker, Deputy Cabinet Member for Strengthening Neighbourhoods

This week is London Challenge Poverty Week, and we kicked it off by launching the new Linden Children and Family Hub on Rectory Road, which offers a wide range of free services and fun activities for families with children under five.One of my mayoral priorities is tackling poverty and inequality, and early help and prevention services like Linden are key to this.As is tackling housing costs and the cost of living crisis, which are huge reasons why people fall into financial difficulty. In addition to working with the Government to improve our housing stock and create the next generation of council and affordable homes, we are supporting our residents with immediate needs today. The Greenhouse Practice provides year round care to those experiencing homelessness in the borough, and its World Homeless Day Fair held earlier today offered hot meals, flu jabs, clothing and more. Hackney Council has also been supporting the Mayor of London’s campaign to boost Pension Credit uptake, which has resulted in 114 households claiming just under £500,000 in support they are entitled to.We are committed to building a fairer and healthier Hackney, and a better start in life, secure housing, and support for those facing financial hardship is central to this.Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney

A series of nine recommendations, made by local people, to help the borough prepare for the impact of climate change are being taken forward by Hackney Council and partners, including Homerton Hospital. Earlier this year, the Council commissioned its first ever Citizens’ Climate Jury as a way to hear residents’ views and work together to prepare for the impact of extreme heat. The jury of 15 local people, who were selected by lottery to be reflective of the borough’s population, came together to explore how Hackney should prepare for and respond to very hot weather in a way that protects those most vulnerable. After discussion and deliberation over the course of four sessions, the jury agreed on nine recommendations, including four short term priorities and five longer term actions, for the council to consider and respond. Now, the Council and partners are committing to progress the jury’s recommendations as part of their broader mission to make Hackney a greener, healthier borough which is resilient to the impacts of climate change. Practical measures that the Council and partners are committing to implement, develop or expand include: Developing a new communications approach tailored to, and targeted towards, those who are most vulnerable to the impact of extreme heat Opening, mapping and promoting cool spaces, such as council buildings, libraries and shaded areas, to provide respite Working with faith groups and the voluntary sector to expand welfare checks and support for people who are rough sleepers during heat wavesIncreasing Hackney’s street tree canopy coverage - the percentage of an area covered by the crown/branches of a tree - within areas most in need  Improving green spaces at Homerton Hospital and the allocation of appointment times to meet people’s needs Incentivising companies to exceed building regulations to raise environmental standards/ improve materials and insulation Developing an Urban Forest Plan to protect, manage and increase tree canopy.To read the jury’s recommendations and Council responses in full, visit:  https://hackney.gov.uk/greener#listening