Posts by Josef Steen, Local Democracy Reporter
Hackney Council more than doubles its debt in one year – but what is the Town Hall spending on?
Hackney Council’s borrowing is below average for London, but its debt burden is set to rise five-fold by 2028
Read MoreIconic Hackney estate made famous by rent campaign set for sweeping regeneration
New Era residents took on their former landlord and won – now their homes are due for large-scale refurbishment
Read More‘Ridiculous’: Council blocks juice bar from putting tables outside due to ‘encroachment’ on nearby park
Owner of Faith in Nature’s Juices says he doesn’t understand why tables and chairs stretching five metres are not in line with council policy
Read MoreFamilies warn they could quit Hackney after nursery fee hikes
Parents say the borough has become an unaffordable place to raise children
Read MoreHousing officers halt imminent strikes in hope of ‘good faith’ talks
Three further strikes set for late August ‘still on the table’ in case negotiations break down
Read MoreHackney Council staff set strike dates over ‘Deliveroo-style’ housing service
Housing officers are fearful of the Town Hall’s restructure plans and claim around 9 in 10 jobs in their team are at risk
Read MoreHackney man given court summons over council tax despite paying his bill
Hackney Council cancelled the summons as a “gesture of goodwill” but resident Earl Dawkins says they should apologise
Read MoreFor years we’ve fought’: Hackney studio branded ‘Abbey Road of photography’ beats third demolition bid
Holborn Studios is not to be demolished, after the High Court overruled the Planning Inspectorate
Read MoreWarehouse venue got twice as many supporters as objectors over dancefloor plan – it wasn’t enough
The number of representations made to the licensing committee in support of the application was double those opposing
Read MoreSt Mary’s Secret Garden re-opens – months after shock closure
The ‘cherished’ St Mary’s Secret Garden has re-opened with help from Hackney City Farm and Hackney Council
Read MoreGreen Party announces Hackney Mayor candidate for 2026 – and her deputy
Zoë Garbett and Dylan Law explain the change they want to see in Hackney if the party wrests control from Labour next year
Read MoreLego, books and staff possessions ‘dumped in landfill’ as closed primary school ‘gutted’
Staff at the school were reportedly told to box up and label their belongings – then the removal team came before they had a chance to collect them
Read MoreNHS to close sexual health clinic serving City and Hackney
Homerton Hospital to shut clinic in October due to falling patient numbers post-pandemic and rent costs – despite Hackney remaining STI hotspot
Read MoreInside a record store’s fight for survival in Hackney
Recycle Vinyl’s owner came to Dalston with dreams of a multi-use record shop and dance space – the reality has been harsh
Read MoreCouncil to cap e-bike fares and charge carriers £80 to collect badly parked cycles
Local restaurateur say current scheme feels ‘a bit of a Wild West’
Read MoreHackney councillor walks out of domestic violence debate after rejected amendment
Cllr Claudia Turbet-Delof leaves chamber after Labour votes against call to protect undocumented migrant women
Read MoreEast Londoners react to plans for ‘dangerous’ Shoreditch junction
Locals share views on Transport for London’s proposals for revamped roads, cycle lanes and crossings
Read MoreCouncil warned of ‘damaging’ school behaviour policies and ‘racism’ towards pupils
Town Hall reviewing behaviour policies in bid to bring down suspensions and exclusions
Read MoreRecord shop’s silent disco blocked due to risk of noise complaints
Plan opposed by Metropolitan Police after confusion around previous amplified events
Read MoreHackney residents crowdfund to save climbing frame before council scraps it
Parents at Linzell Estate launch £3.5k appeal to repair ageing playset
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