Josef Steen

London

Writer at Freelance

Bald scoundrel. Writing for @TheQuietus, @TheCriticMag, @HackneyCitizen and others

Articles

Hackney traders ‘deeply frustrated’ by City Hall delay on community land trust sites

6 days ago | hackneycitizen.co.uk | Josef Steen

A group of Hackney traders have urged City Hall to “get on with” delivering affordable workspaces promised to them four years ago. After a meeting with politicians at the Town Hall on Tuesday, members of the East End Trades Guild (EETG) said they were “frustrated” by the lack of progress on a community land trust (CLT) pledged to them by the Mayor of London in 2021.
Cabinet reshuffle triggers opposition concerns over housing failures

6 days ago | hackneycitizen.co.uk | Josef Steen

Opposition councillors have warned that Hackney faces an uphill battle to improve its social homes following the resignation of the Town Hall’s housing chief this week. On Tuesday, Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley announced changes to her top team, with cabinet member for housing services and resident participation, Cllr Clayeon McKenzie, to “step away” from his role after nine years.
‘Unstoppable’: Sustainable food school marks milestone growth

1 week ago | hackneycitizen.co.uk | Josef Steen

A sustainable food school is celebrating the opening of its new garden classroom, furthering its goal to provide a ‘seed to spoon’ education for all of the borough’s children. Last Thursday, the non-profit Hackney School of Food (HSF), which sits in the grounds of Clapton’s Mandeville Primary School, officially launched its new garden room.
Hackney’s housing chief out in mayor’s cabinet reshuffle

1 week ago | hackneycitizen.co.uk | Josef Steen

Hackney’s housing lead is to step down from the cabinet in May as part of a major reshuffle by borough leader Caroline Woodley. Cllr Clayeon McKenzie (Labour, Hoxton) is to resign as cabinet member for housing services and resident participation after nine years in the role. Alongside his current brief, Cllr Guy Nicholson (Labour, Homerton) will take over from McKenzie and serve as cabinet member for housing management.
Camden Council moves forward with later drinking hours plan

1 week ago | fitzrovianews.com | Josef Steen

Camden Council’s controversial new licensing policy took a step further last week, as members gave the go ahead to plans making it easier for premises serving alcohol to stay open later. On Wednesday 30 April the Town Hall’s licensing committee approved its draft five-year Statement of Licensing Policy for the borough, including plans to extend “framework hours” for pubs, clubs and other businesses.
Stoke Newington library works enter next chapter as council grants contract

1 week ago | hackneycitizen.co.uk | Josef Steen

Refurbishment works for one of Hackney’s historic libraries were given the green light this week, as the council approved a contractor to carry out the revamp. Church Street’s Grade II-listed Stoke Newington Library shut last March, after its partially collapsed roof and crumbling masonry had made it too dangerous for visitors. This was mainly due to leaking water, leaving it in “such a poor state of repair that it was no longer safe”, according to Hackney’s culture chief Cllr Chris Kennedy.
Council moves forward with later hours plans for borough's nightlife

1 week ago | camdencitizen.co.uk | Josef Steen

Camden Council’s new licensing policy took a step further this week as members gave the green light to plans allowing venues to stay open later. On Wednesday (29 April) the Town Hall’s licensing committee approved its draft five-year strategy for the borough, including plans to extend ‘framework hours’ for pubs, clubs and other businesses. This would enable premises to potentially serve alcohol and hot food for an extra 30 minutes each day of the week.
Finance chief declines to rule out inflation-busting service charge hikes

2 weeks ago | hackneycitizen.co.uk | Josef Steen

Hackney’s finance lead has declined to rule out inflation-busting service charge hikes down the line, while insisting the council is not treating the fees as a “cash cow”. On Monday, Cllr Robert Chapman, cabinet member for finance, delivered the council’s overall financial position (OFP) report from February.
‘Sex realists’ demand Town Hall changes mixed-facility plans for King’s Hall refurb

2 weeks ago | hackneycitizen.co.uk | Josef Steen

Hackney Council has been urged to change course in its designs for the King’s Hall revamp, as campaigners argue they do not protect women and girls. At Monday’s (28 April) cabinet meeting, a group of self-described ‘sex realists’ called on the local authority to keep the Clapton leisure centre’s women-only changing spaces as part of its redevelopment.
Shaftesbury Avenue cinema to become hotel and Cirque du Soleil theatre

2 weeks ago | fitzrovianews.com | Josef Steen

Camden Council has approved plans to rebuild a Grade II-listed theatre building into a hotel and circus stage, reigniting fears over the impact on local heritage. Last summer saw curtains for the Odeon at Shaftesbury Avenue, after freeholder YC Saville Theatre Ltd refused to renew the cinema chain’s lease ahead of plans to redevelop the site.