Hackney Books was the only observer.

We were there at the start.

As were several councillors, 3 council officers and 1 support staff.

I did not get the council officers names so for the purpose of this report they become: The Beard, The Bald Man and The Monk.

But we were at the start of what?

After swapping war-stories of the election just past the first order of business was addressed. The nomination and seconding of a leader and deputy for the commission from the councillors.

A voice vote confirmed councillor Councillor Anna-Joy Rickard as chair of the commission, Councillor Mete Coban as deputy.

Now we were in position.

Councillor Anna-Joy Rickard set out an overview (she did not appear to be taken aback by her nomination). Her overview consisted of an ambition that no-one in Hackney would be left behind and The Future (in capitals).

Councillor Anna-Joy Rickard did turn out to be a remarkably skilled leader of the discussion, generally sure-footed in knowing when to nudge things along and when things needed damping down.

Councillor’s Anna-Joy Rickard overview was filled in by The Beard: there were 3 areas – Business Support, Place and Jobs.

The talk was of Automation and Artificial Intelligence and millions of lost jobs and, well, The Future.

Councillor Deniz Oguzkanli asked why the officers could not send out a simple email to all business’ in Hackney setting out the support the Council offered.

Not Automation.

Not AI.

The Beard and The Bald Man explained that they agreed whole-heartedly with everything Councillor Deniz Oguzkanli had said but it was a question of perception.

Councillor Deniz Oguzkanli stated that many business’ perception of the Council was born out of the fact that the only interaction most business had with the Council was through Enforcement.

Enforcement was such an unhelpful term suggested The Beard and The Bald Man. Compliance would be a better phrase.

The Beard and The Bald Man explained that they had a website, still in development, with a Launch Pad and a Landing Pad.

As for the Councillor's excellent suggestion of sending each business in Hackney an email specifying a named individual to contact: the officers had a website. Buttons to be clicked and automated answers 24/7.

Councillor Deniz Oguzkanli managed not to explode.

Next: jobs.

The aim was to ensure that everyone in Hackney benefited from new businesses.

That no-one was left behind.

Apprentices was the ticket.

And life-long learning.

Councillor Patrick Moule had some very good points to make but he did believe that his parents should be sent back to school.

The jobs discussion was led by The Monk.

The Monk began by setting out the extra taxation every business had to pay toward apprenticeships.

The Councillors seemed taken aback by monetary issues being raised at the start of the jobs section of the discussion but this was the only misstep The Monk made.

The Monk pointed out that many parents saw tertiary education as University and placed that above apprenticeships.

In response to questions from Councillor Patrick Moule, The Monk stated that the Council would be bringing in a scheme that would result in 100 fairly-paid apprenticeships. There would also be compensation for interns.

The Monk stressed that the Council would monitor the path and the result of each apprenticeship.

Throughout the exchanges Councillor Anna-Joy Rickard, with a smiled persona, ensured an orderly discussion.

At the end of the meeting the officers, at least The Beard (who seemed to really enjoy the shape that words made in his mouth) and The Bald Man went back to artificial intelligence and AI.

There was a prayer like quality to the officers’ invocation of these concepts.

The Councillors seemed more grounded (why couldn’t the officers send a simple email?) and resolved to ask in a representative segment of local business to the next meeting on the 5^th July.

Hackney Books will be in attendance.

Actions taking by Hackney Books following the committee

Hackney Books approached Councillor Patrick Moule for an interview. As of the 21^st June Councillor Patrick Moule has not respond.