Agenda and draft minutes

(a)   Apologies for absence

No apologies for absence were received, however, the Mayor explained that not all members could attend because social distancing restrictions had significantly reduced the capacity of the Council Chamber.

(b)   Declaration of interests

None.

(c)   Order of business

No changes were proposed to the order of business.

(d)   Mayor’s Announcements

 The Mayor welcomed the five new councillors who had been elected at the recent by-elections on 6^th May 2021. 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 February 2021 be agreed as s a correct record and the Mayor be authorised to sign them.

Councillor Chapman moved a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Burgess. The vote of thanks was seconded by Councillor Watts. It was commented that Councillor Burgess had made a great contribution to the borough through a very difficult year. The Mayor had been a great supporter of the key workers and volunteers supporting the community through the pandemic and in particular had visited food banks, vaccination centres and Whittington Hospital to thank those working on the front line. The Mayor was congratulated for raising over £20,000 for her mayoral charity, Age UK.

Councillor Burgess thanked her fellow councillors and spoke about the unique experience of being Mayor during the pandemic. The Mayor highlighted the fantastic work carried out by the borough’s food banks over the past year and thanked all of the volunteers and everyone who had offered donations. The Mayor also thanked the council staff who had supported her through her mayoral year.

Councillor O’Halloran, seconded by Councillor Turan moved that Councillor Gallagher be elected as Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Gallagher be elected as Mayor of the London Borough of Islington for 2021/22.

The Council adjourned while Councillor Gallagher was invested with the robes of office.

The Mayor (Councillor Troy Gallagher) in the Chair

The Mayor accepted the office by making the required declaration.

The Mayor advised that his consort would be Mary Roberts.

The Mayor thanked his fellow councillors and made his inaugural address to the borough. The Mayor said it was a great honour to be elected as Mayor and was proud to be the first Mayor of Islington from the Republic of Ireland. The Mayor spoke of his family history in Islington and his own experiences of living in the borough for the past 20 years. The Mayor announced that he had chosen the theme for his mayoral year to be ‘A New Tomorrow’.

The previous year had been extremely difficult for many people and there was a growing mental health crisis. The Mayor also spoke of his concern at the suicide rate amongst young men. The Mayor announced that his mayoral charities would be James’ Place, forum+, and icap. These charities worked to support people experiencing mental health issues and helped to prevent suicide.

The Mayor commented that he was looking forward to engaging with communities and organisations across the borough to highlight these issues and support those who are marginalised or facing hardship.  

The Mayor appointed Councillor Marian Spall to the role of Deputy Mayor.

Helen Spall was appointed as the Deputy Mayor’s Consort.   

Councillor Burgess, seconded by Councillor Champion, moved a vote of thanks to the outgoing Leader of the Council, Councillor Watts. It was commented that Councillor Watts had made a great contribution as Leader of the Council. Under his leadership the Council had worked to make the borough a fairer place, including ensuring that the council and its contractors pay the real Living Wage, the development of new council homes, employment and skills projects, environmental improvements, and strong partnership working across the borough. The Council also noted the successes of the council’s work on fairness, including pioneering the Fairness Commission and Fair Futures Commission.

Councillor Watts thanked his fellow councillors, council staff, and colleagues from local services and organisations. Councillor Watts spoke of his pride in leading the borough for eight years and the council’s achievements during this time; including universal free school meals, the People Friendly Streets programme, work to tackle the climate crisis, bringing £380m of public services back in house, paying the real Living Wage, and the development of new council housing. 

Councillor Ward, seconded by Councillor Ibrahim, moved that Councillor Comer-Schwartz be elected as Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Comer-Schwartz be elected as Leader of the Council.

Councillor Comer-Schwartz thanked her fellow councillors and expressed her commitment to fairness, tackling inequality and supporting residents facing disadvantage.  The Leader spoke of her pride in being the first black woman Leader of the Council, in the borough where she grew up. The Leader spoke of the importance of services for young people, early intervention, reducing poverty, developing affordable housing, addressing health inequalities, air quality and the council’s environmental ambitions. 

Councillor Comer-Schwartz introduced the paper. Councillor Diarmaid Ward was appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council. The Leader commented that she looked forward to working with Executive Members on the council’s priorities.

The Council noted the following appointments made by Councillor Comer-Schwartz as Leader of the Council:

Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing and Development – Cllr Diarmaid Ward

Executive Member for Environment and Transport – Cllr Rowena Champion

Executive Member for Finance and Performance – Cllr Satnam Gill 

Executive Member for Community Safety – Cllr Sue Lukes

Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families – Cllr Michelline Safi Ngongo

Executive Member for Community Development – Cllr Una O’Halloran

Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs – Cllr Asima Shaikh

Executive Member for Health and Social Care – Cllr Nurullah Turan

Councillor Hyde moved the recommendations in the report. Councillor Comer-Schwartz seconded.

The recommendations in the report were put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

That the amendments to the Constitution, set out in the appendices to the report, be agreed.

Councillor Hyde, seconded by Councillor Comer-Schwartz, moved the recommendations in the report. The recommendations were put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.   APPOINTMENT OF COUNCILLORS TO POLITICAL POSITIONS

That Council note that the Labour group have notified the following appointments:

B.   APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRS AND VICE-CHAIRS AND MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES FOR 2021/22

1)    That the following appointments be made to the Policy and Performance Committee for 2021/22 or until successors are appointed:

POLICY & PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE (16 Councillors)

2)    That the following appointments be made to the remaining committees for 2021/22 or until successors are appointed:

CHILDREN’S SERVICES SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (8 Councillors)

ENVIRONMENT & REGENERATION SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (9 Councillors)

HEALTH AND CARE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (8 Councillors)

The co-opted member from Healthwatch Islington is to be confirmed.

HOUSING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (8 Councillors)

AUDIT COMMITTEE (4 Councillors and 2 Independent Members, as below)

Councillor Hyde, seconded by Councillor Comer-Schwartz, moved the recommendations in the report. The recommendations were put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.      To agree the following list of appointments to outside bodies for 2021/22 for the remainder of the year or until successors are appointed:

B.      To agree the following list of appointments to outside bodies to take effect on the date indicated, for the term of office indicated, or until successors are appointed:

Councillor Hyde, seconded by Councillor Comer-Schwartz, moved the recommendations in the report. The recommendations were put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

(1)   The following have been appointed to serve on Independent Admission Appeal Panels.  These panels consider appeals against schools’ decisions on admissions. 

(2)  The following have been appointed to serve on Independent Review Panels. These panels review schools’ decisions about exclusions.

(3)  In accordance with regulations all panel members have been trained for the necessary requirements to serve on such panels.