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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    

Cllr Carole Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities, introduces the new Black History 365 programme to commemorate Black excellence and shine a spotlight on issues affecting the Black community 365 days a year:"Last week we celebrated the launch of Black History 365 at Hackney Museum.Hackney Council recognises that Black history is an integral part of our collective heritage and cannot be confined to a single month of the year. Since 2019 we have extended Black History Month to a season expanding into November or December, turning it into an entire season during which we can place focus on both the historical and contemporary contributions made by the Black communities in Hackney.And this year’s Black History Season 2024 programme officially saw the launch of Hackney Black History 365, an annual year-round celebration and exploration of Black history and culture. While the work we do already acknowledges Black history and culture 365 days a year in Hackney, Black History 365 will ensure events, educational resources and services are more easily accessible and highlighted via our digital and print channels on Love Hackney. Kicking off Hackney Black History 365 lays the foundations to correct historical inaccuracies, tell untold stories, and celebrate excellence. By commemorating Black History and culture all year round we hope to provide an even bigger platform for educators and community leaders to make meaningful and empowering contributions about Black achievements in the borough and beyond.Hackney Black History 365’s mission statement is a simple one: “To highlight Hackney’s Black past, present and future all year, every year. It will complement Hackney’s Black History Season with an always-on approach of honouring Black life in Hackney in the past, present and future tense.”Current Council-led activities that meet the mission statement will be placed on the Black History 365 calendar, including: Windrush Generation festival, Carnival, Pride365, Hackney’s Diverse Curriculum and the excellent curation of exhibitions and events across Hackney’s Libraries, Museum and Archives. Black History 365’s extended programme of events and activities will be better highlighted so that even more members of our community are able to contribute. The programme is open to all departments in the Council to contribute to, and I am very excited to see what they bring to it over the coming months and years. As a Council, we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, across the borough. The launch of Black History 365 will go further towards celebrating the vital contributions that Black people bring to Hackney. It is an opportunity to realise positive change and amplify Black voices in our community, enabling us to share, enjoy and learn from a history that enriches us all.The new Hackney Black History 365 page can be found on the Love Hackney website and events on the Love Hackney instagram will be tagged #BHS365."

Hackney will pay tribute to all the servicemen, women and civilians who lost their lives in the two World Wars and later conflicts, at the borough’s Remembrance Sunday parade and church service on Sunday 10 November.A parade led by Hackney’s Deputy Lieutenant Stephen Howlett DL CBE, consisting of civic dignitaries, including MP Meg Hillier, Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley and the Speaker of Hackney, as well as ex-servicemen and women, members of the 3 Military Intelligence Battalion, other reserve forces, cadets and youth organisations, will march from Hackney Town Hall to St John at Hackney Church at 9.30am for the service beginning at 10am. A collection will be taken at the church entrance for the Speaker of Hackney’s chosen local charities, Rising Tide, an arts charity who focus on creating meaningful employment pathways into creative industries for young people, and Hackney Migrant Centre, who deliver a free advice and support service for vulnerable migrants.After the Service of Remembrance there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph from 10.40. Prayers will be followed by the playing of The Last Post and a two minute silence recalling the tragedy of war and commemorating the end of former conflicts. Faith leaders from across the borough will deliver readings invoking prayers for peace and tolerance, before the parade reassembles and returns to Town Hall for the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial in Town Hall Square by the Speaker and Deputy Lieutenant.Remembrance Sunday precedes Remembrance Day, observed on November 11, which marks the anniversary of the First World War’s official armistice, taking place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.Information on road closuresTo facilitate the safe movement of the parade there will be ​a number of short rolling road closures in place at key junctions ​leading into ​Mare Street (including the junctions from Reading Lane, Wilton Way, Morning Lane, Graham Road, ​Amhurst Road to Bohemia Place) and on Lower Clapton Road ​(​including the junctions of Clarence Road, Dalston Lane/Narrow Way and Saint Church). Drivers are advised to expect short delays of up to 15 minutes ​​in these areas between 09:30 - 09:45 and again around 11:15 - 11:30. In addition, Reading Lane will remain closed from 08:30 - 12:30.

Twenty seven Hackney Council buildings are set to have their emissions and heating bills slashed over the next two years as new environmentally friendly heat pumps are installed. The projects were made possible after two successful bids to the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund, and will see new heat pumps installed at London Fields Lido, Homerton Library, Stoke Newington Town Hall and Library, Hackney Service Centre, Hackney Town Hall and many more locations. Heat pumps provide heating by capturing heat from the air or ground, and converting this into energy that can heat water.It’s thought the new energy efficiency measures will save 3,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year, while reducing energy bills for the Council, libraries and schools as they face increasing financial pressures. The news was presented as part of an update to all councillors last month on progress the Council has made as part of its Climate Action Plan. This included updates on progress made against the plan’s five key themes: buildings, adaptation, transport, consumption, and environmental quality. Highlights include: Half of all schools managed by the Council have now had lighting upgrades, cutting electricity usageUp to 50 new electric vehicle charging points installed each monthThe Council being close to installing a further 1MWp capacity from solar panels on its buildingsAn additional 1,200 safe storage spaces for bikes in 202 cycle hangars installed over the past year, as part of the biggest programme in the capitalHousehold waste down 2kg per person each year, and combined waste and recycling down 4.7kg per person11 new rain gardens Read the climate update presented at Full Council.