Posts by Josef Steen, Local Democracy Reporter
Council under fire for using casual library staff contracts – ‘in tension’ with its own policies
Unison says nearly 25 per cent of hours worked in libraries last November were temporary employees
Read MoreHundreds of council residents ‘suffering’ as heating failures plague Hoxton estates
Housing chief tells residents he is ‘very disappointed’ about his department’s response to outages
Read MoreThreat of another cyber attack still ‘very significant’, council warns
Town Hall lays out measures being taken to upgrade IT security
Read More‘Heritage crime’: Residents decry vandalism and decay at Old St Mary’s churchyard
Graves opened and graffiti sprayed on walls of Grade II-listed medieval church in Stoke Newington
Read More‘So proud’: Councillors praise Hackney ice skaters after victory in national competition
Lee Valley London Skating Club team Stardust won first prize at 2025 Britannia Cup last weekend
Read MoreCriminal investigation launched into Airbnb key worker home ‘scandal’, council says
Hackney Council and Peabody probing potential fraud over use of ‘affordable’ home billed for disabled key worker
Read MoreCouncil declines to rule out further cuts if government funding falls short
Opposition councillors weigh in with their proposals to help address Hackney’s financial woes
Read MoreIndependent Socialists launch Hackney People’s Forum in challenge to council’s ‘top-down’ approach
Ex-Labour councillors say ‘people power is coming’ as they champion grassroots-led initiative
Read MoreCouncil buys new housing IT system to boost services ravaged by cyber attack
Town Hall to roll out ‘off-the-shelf’ software this month to handle backlogs made worse by 2020 data breach
Read MoreDame Meg Hillier MP alerts Hackney Mayor to key worker Airbnb holiday home ‘scandal’
Victoria Park residents raise alarm after council-funded, fully-accessible flat for disabled key worker listed on rental site
Read MoreTown Hall mulls options amid pleas to preserve St Mary’s Secret Garden
Campaigners are seeking to secure urban haven as a community asset after financial woes led to insolvency
Read MoreHundreds of parents back Mossbourne leadership but welcome chance to ‘suggest some changes’
Open letter signed by numerous parents including former Hackney Mayor, Jules Pipe CBE
Read MoreThe Crib youth club launches £30,000 crowdfunder to keep doors open
Manager Janette Collins had hoped to retire this year but funding crisis sparks bid to save social inclusion project
Read MoreMossbourne leaders defend approach to pupils’ wellbeing as safeguarding review looms
Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy faces investigation following parents’ concerns about impact of school’s strict behaviour policy
Read MoreCommissioner warns against ‘reckless public discourse’ ahead of Mossbourne investigation
Jim Gamble has raised concerns around people making assertions about the review which are ‘simply wrong’
Read MoreCouncil reaffirms vow to ‘help rebuild trust’ in communities ‘most affected by racism in policing’ as Child X officers cleared
13-year-old black boy was ‘rammed’ off bike by police van and handcuffed for holding a water pistol in July 2023
Read MoreMossbourne CEO grateful for support and ‘encouragement’ amid allegations against trust’s schools
Academy trust head thanks parents, pupils, staff and governors for their support amid allegations against one of the trust’s schools, which have triggered a safeguarding review
Read MoreGarden waste collection services to be ‘improved’ after council ‘reviews charges and listens to feedback’
Town Hall recently introduced £85 per year subscription for fortnightly garden waste collection from ‘street-level properties’
Read MoreCouncil postpones meeting with displaced Travellers following confusion over new home
Community shares its disappointment after Hackney loses control of £2 million in ring-fenced money for long-promised site
Read MoreTown Hall to keep council tax exemption for poorest pensioners
Despite finance ‘challenges’, low-income households will still get support, says finance chief Robert Chapman
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