Labour’s Mete Coban quits Hackney Council ahead of move to City Hall

Mete Coban with Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley. Photograph: Hackney Council

Stoke Newington representative Mete Coban is to step down as a councillor and cabinet member in Hackney following his appointment to City Hall.

Coban, who became Hackney’s youngest ever councillor in 2014, was appointed last week by London Mayor Sadiq Khan as deputy mayor for environment and energy.

His departure has triggered the seventh by-election in Hackney so far this year.

Coban said the decision to stand down was a “bittersweet moment”, but that his new role is an “incredible opportunity”.

“It has been a really difficult decision to make, as Hackney is not just my home; it’s my story and who I am,” he added.

“Serving as a councillor in the place I call home has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, and I couldn’t be more proud of my contribution to creating a greener, healthier Hackney over the past decade.”

He is to start in his new role on Thursday 25 July.

Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley said Coban “has been such an energetic and exciting colleague to work with”.

“He has been instrumental in making it easier and safer for people to move safely about Hackney, one of the busiest boroughs in London, and has been the driving force behind our vital investment in renewable community energy,” she continued.

She continued: “While we will be sad to see him go, this is an absolutely amazing opportunity, and it can only be good news for our borough to have such a dedicated climate champion at the heart of City Hall.”

As cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, Coban has helped to expand Hackney’s low traffic neighbourhoods, overseen the installation of thousands of electric vehicle chargers, and launched the Community Energy Fund.

During this time, he also faced criticism for the number of flights he takes.

The Telegraph calculated that he had racked up approximately 40,000 air miles while warning people that “the way we travel” can “have a huge impact on the climate”.

Coban defended his flights, saying they were for the purpose of his work for non-partisan campaign group My Life My Say, which seeks to increase youth voter turnout.

He has also stepped down as chief executive of My Life My Say ahead of entering City Hall.