SPECIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT BY THE HOUSING OMBUDSMAN PUBLISHED
The Housing Ombudsman published findings from a special investigation into Hackney Council's housing service on 22 May 2025, revealing critical issues. Key concerns include poor knowledge management, inadequate risk assessment, and insufficient support for vulnerable residents. In repairs, a problematic bonus scheme led to premature job completions, while system limitations caused inaccurate reporting, with about 33% of repair visits being repeats. Read the full report here and Hackney's official response here.
PLANNING THE BANISTER HOUSE COMMUNITY HALL BIG LUNCH ON 19 JULY
The Banister House Community Hall is in need of revitalisation, as highlighted by last year's TRA chair, who emphasised the importance of having a well-functioning and engaging community space. Historically, the hall played a vital role with offerings such as an after-school club. To kickstart his legacy initiative, we have applied for funding from Hackney Council to host this year's Big Lunch at the Community Hall on Saturday 19 July. In its kitchen we aim to celebrate the diverse cuisines of Banister House and Priory Court.
NEW TRA COMMITTEE FORMED AT AGM WITH 14 NEW MEMBERS
Following our successful AGM on May 13, we are thrilled to announce the formation of the new TRA committee. With 9 members from Banister House and 8 from Priory Court, we bring renewed energy to improve our estates. In June, we will hold our first committee meeting to establish priorities for the 2025-26 term. We are eager to build on the AGM's momentum. If you have ideas, concerns, or questions, please reach out to us.
SHAPE HACKNEY'S TRANSPORT STRATEGY
Hackney has become a leader in sustainable transport, with high levels of walking and cycling, low traffic zones at most primary schools, and liveable neighbourhoods across half the borough. Although decade-long efforts have successfully reduced traffic and emissions, challenges such as air pollution, road safety, and accessibility persist. To address these issues, Hackney is developing the Hackney Transport Strategy 2026-2036. We invite you to look at their data and participate in the consultation to share your views.
