Hackney Councillor Jacob Cable has been granted a dispensation to participate in discussions and votes concerning LondonEnergy Limited (LEL) despite his upcoming paid directorship with the company. The Hackney Standards Committee approved the dispensation on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, allowing Councillor Cable to engage in Council business related to LEL, a company wholly owned by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) of which Hackney is a member.
Councillor Cable, who is Hackney's representative on the NLWA, is set to become a paid Director of LEL, a role that carries an annual remuneration of £17,682. This position constitutes a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011, which would typically prohibit him from participating in any Council matters concerning LEL.
The dispensation was deemed to be in the interests of the council's residents, ensuring continued democratic oversight and engagement in waste disposal and related services. The Standards Committee considered that granting the dispensation was in the interests of persons living in the Council's area. This decision allows Councillor Cable to participate in relevant Council business, ensuring effective democratic oversight and engagement in waste disposal and associated services that affect Hackney residents. The report also notes that the Committee may consider that allowing Councillor Cable to participate in relevant Council business supports effective engagement between the Council, NLWA and LondonEnergy Limited as the organisations responsible for waste disposal and associated services affecting Hackney residents.
The dispensation allows Councillor Cable to participate in debates and votes on matters relating to LondonEnergy Limited, including matters concerning waste disposal, energy from waste, waste facilities, waste transfer stations, reuse and recycling and any other matters directly concerning LondonEnergy Limited.
The dispensation aims to mitigate the conflict of interest arising from Councillor Cable's proposed paid directorship of LondonEnergy Limited, which constitutes a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011. Without the dispensation, he would be prohibited from participating in any Council business concerning LondonEnergy Limited. The dispensation is also intended to provide clarity and transparency about the circumstances in which Councillor Cable may participate in Council business notwithstanding the financial interest.
The dispensation will be effective from October 1, 2026, and will remain in place for a maximum of four years, or until Councillor Cable ceases to be an elected member of Hackney Council or his appointment to LEL ends.
It was clarified that this dispensation is specific to LEL and does not extend to general NLWA business. Councillor Cable will still be required to declare his interest in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct. The dispensation does not waive the common law position regarding bias and predetermination, and Councillor Cable is advised to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer if any such concerns arise.
More information on the decision can be found in the Decisions Tuesday 29-Sep-2026 18.30 Standards Committee document. The Public reports pack Tuesday 29-Sep-2026 18.30 Standards Committee and Agenda frontsheet Tuesday 29-Sep-2026 18.30 Standards Committee also provide further details.