Posts by Josef Steen, Local Democracy Reporter
St 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
Read MoreMoth Club campaigners in dark over plans for neighbouring block – as 20,000 sign petition
Manager of popular venue fears flats next door could ‘jeopardise’ its future
Read MoreHousing protesters descend on Town Hall after entire block loses hot water
Residents furious over ‘inhumane’ conditions as temporary showers put in their courtyard after delays
Read MoreAfrican grill restaurant at centre of ‘shadow licence’ row
Hackney Wick residents suspicious of landlord after sexual assault in Newham nightclub
Read MoreEstate residents accuse ‘mystery’ housing staff of ripping down petitions
De Beauvoir housing woes continue as tenants say drivers urinating in faulty lifts
Read MorePlans approved for new six-storey block which will ‘entirely disrupt the character of the neighbourhood’
Local residents raised concerns about loss of sunlight and the impact on a nearby family contact centre
Read MoreTown Hall admits to causing ‘stress and confusion’ over council tax bills
Opposition councillor slams ‘bureaucratic maze’ as resident says experience shattered her trust
Read MoreCouncil casts doubt on ruling that race was ‘not a factor’ in Child Q incident
Police complaints body says sacked Child Q officers guilty of ‘gross misconduct’ but teenage girl’s ‘humiliating’ strip-search was not prompted by her race
Read MoreTown Hall asks public for feedback on landlord licensing plans
Council opens consultation on charging private landlords up to £1,400 per property they rent out
Read MoreTown Hall spent over £4.6m on legal costs of disrepair in past year
Deputy mayor and housing boss Guy Nicholson reveals millions spent on compensation and legal costs over past 12 months
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