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Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD. View directions

Contact: Jonathan Moore  Email: democracy@islington.gov.uk

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No. Item

14.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 573 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 March 2023 be agreed as a correct record and the Mayor be authorised to sign them.

 

15.

Mayoral Announcements

a)     Apologies for absence

b)     Declaration of interests

c)     Order of business

d)     Mayor’s Announcements

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(a) Apologies for absence

 

Apologies were received from Councillors Gill, Nargund, Mackmurdie, Wayne and Zammit.

 

(b) Declaration of interests

 

None.

 

(c) Order of Business

 

The order of business was as per the Agenda

 

(d) Mayor’s Announcements

 

The Mayor commented that March had been a wonderful month with the Civic and Ben Kinsella Awards evening at the Town Hall. Awards had been given to local heroes who supported the community in a variety of ways, including people who organise projects to provide free food or hot meals, people who support young people in Islington, and those who offer support to survivors of domestic abuse and vulnerable people in our community. The Mayor thanked all that attended.

 

Towards the end of March, the Mayor had unveiled new artwork in Archway celebrating the local Irish community. The beautiful mosaic was created by artist Maud Milton with the assistance of pupils in local primary schools, and paid tribute to Irish heritage and culture, which had played an important role in Islington’s history.

 

The Mayor had attended a number of religious celebrations, including the Finsbury Park Street Iftar, the Easter Sunday service at St Mary’s Church and Easter celebrations at a local care home, complete with tea and live music. The Mayor had also attended community events to mark St George’s Day, St Patricks Day and St David’s Day.

 

The Mayor had been honoured to visit many coronation events hosted by community organisations in Islington. It was so special to see so many different groups from across the borough celebrating together. 

16.

Leader's Announcements

- The Leader will address the Council;

- The Leader of the Opposition will then be invited to respond.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader, Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz, remarked it had been amazing to join the events across the borough over the King’s Coronation weekend. The Leader commented on the Local Elections that had taken place outside of London and was happy to see victories for the Labour party across the UK. The Leader explained the Council was committed to helping residents with the cost-of-living crisis, and commented on the council’s work to support residents, including an extension to the hardship fund and the abolition of library fines.

 

The Leader noted that the Chief Executive, Linzi Roberts-Egan, would be taking up a new role at the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The Leader thanked Linzi for all her hard work across the Council and wished her well in her new endeavours.

 

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Caroline Russell responded. Councillor Russell commented that two significant events had happened over the last week; an increase in votes against the Conservative Party at local elections, and the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act being enforced to disrupt peaceful protest at the Coronation events; a policy she hoped would be reversed in future.

 

Councillor Russell thanked the Mayor for her service over the last year and hard work across the borough representing the Council. Councillor Russell also thanked the Chief Executive for all her work, especially that over the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Councillor Russell commented that it was great that the Council was webcasting meetings and holding hybrid meetings, to make committee meetings accessible to as many people as possible.

 

Councillor Russell reflected on her time as a Green Councillor and Leader of the Opposition and thanked all those that had helped her, especially when she was a lone councillor without an opposition group. Councillor Russell was glad to be able to hand over the Leader of the Opposition role to Councillor Benali Hamdache.

17.

Vote of Thanks and Presentation of Scroll to Pageantmaster of the London Borough of Islington

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Comer-Schwartz moved a vote of thanks to the outgoing Pageantmaster, Peter McCafferty.

 

The Mayor presented Peter McCafferty with a scroll to recognise his service to the borough over the past thirty years. The Council thanked the Pageantmaster for his work championing the borough’s military and veteran organisations, and all his guidance and support over the years.

 

18.

Vote of Thanks and Presentation of Commemorative Badges to Outgoing Mayor and Consort

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Ngongo moved a vote of thanks to the Outgoing Mayor, Councillor Spall, and Outgoing Mayoress, Helen Spall. Councillor Poyser seconded. It was commented that the Mayor had made a significant contribution to the borough over the past year. The Mayor had worked to celebrate and champion the borough and had helped raise awareness and a tremendous amount of money for her chosen charities, Whittington Health Charity, and Ronald McDonald Moorfields House.

 

The Mayor thanked her fellow councillors, commenting that it was an honour and privilege to serve the Borough; she commented what a unique year it had been, being part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, leading the borough in the mourning of Her Majesty the Queen’s death, and being present at the proclamation of the new King and celebrating the King’s Coronation. The Mayor had been very proud to support businesses as the local economy continued to bounce back following the pandemic, as well as an honour to work closely with the Islington Veterans’ Association to support the borough’s armed forces community. The Mayor expressed her thanks to everyone she had the pleasure of working with over the last year and would forever be grateful for all their help.

 

19.

To Elect the Mayor of the London Borough of Islington for the ensuing Municipal Year

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Heather be elected as the Mayor of the London Borough of Islington for 2023/24.

 

 

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

20.

Declaration of Acceptance of Office by the Mayor

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor accepted by office by making the required declaration.

 

The Mayor advised that his Mayoress would be Councillor Tricia Clarke

 

The Mayor thanked his colleagues, friends and family. The Mayor congratulated Councillor Spall on her year as Mayor. The Mayor announced that his charity would be Voluntary Action Islington

 

The Mayor appointed Councillor Anjna Khurana to the role of Deputy Mayor. Micky Khurana was appointed as the Deputy Mayor’s Consort.

 

21.

Appointment of the Deputy Leader and the Executive pdf icon PDF 217 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Comer-Schwartz introduced the paper.

 

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

·        Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance – Cllr Diarmaid Ward

·        Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs – Cllr Santiago Bell-Bradford

·        Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality & Transport – Cllr Rowena Champion

·        Executive Member for Equalities, Culture & Inclusion – Cllr Roulin Khondoker

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

·        Executive Member for Homes and Communities – Cllr Una O’Halloran

·        Executive Member for Health and Social Care – Cllr Nurullah Turan

·        Executive Member for Community Safety – John Woolf

 

22.

Calculation of Political Balance (Proportionality) and arrangements for committees pdf icon PDF 314 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED:

(i)   That the Council note the political balance of the Council is:

-        47 Members of the Labour Group

-        3 Members of the Green Group

-        1 independent member, who is not a member of a political group.

(ii) That the allocation of seats be approved, in order to comply with the political balance regulations requiring seats to be allocated proportionately to the political groups on the Council, as detailed in the report.

 

(iii) That the Programme of Meetings for 2023-24 be noted.

 

23.

Appointment of Councillors to Political Positions and the Appointment of Chairs and Vice Chairs and Membership of Committees pdf icon PDF 253 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)               That Council note that the Labour Group have notified the following appointments:

 

Leader of Group

Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz

Deputy Leader of Group

Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford

Chief Whip

Councillor Sara Hyde

Deputy Whips

Councillors Jason Jackson & Fin Craig

Chair of Group

Councillor David Poyser

Vice-Chair

Councillor Angelo Weekes

Secretary

Councillor Jilani Chowdhury

Treasurer

Councillor Satnam Gill

Social Secretary

Councillor Heather Staff

Ordinary Member Posts

Councillors Bashir Ibrahim & Valerie Bossman-Quarshie

 

 

(ii)              That Council note that the Green Group have notified the following appointments:

 

Leader of Group

Councillor Benali Hamdache

Deputy Leader of Group

Councillor Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong

Group Business Manager

Councillor Caroline Russell

 

 

 

(iii)            That the following appointments be made to the Policy and Performance Committee for 2023/24 or until successors are appointed:

 

POLICY & PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE (12 Councillors)

Councillor Flora Williamson (Chair)

Councillor Hannah McHugh

Councillor Paul Convery (Vice Chair)

Councillor Bashir Ibrahim

Councillor Jilani Chowdhury

Councillor Saiqa Pandor

Councillor Jason Jackson

Councillor Angelo Weekes

Councillor Tricia Clarke

Councillor Sheila Chapman

Councillor Heather Staff

Councillor Benali Hamdache

 

Substitutes:

 

Councillor Nick Wayne 

Councillor Troy Gallagher

Councillor Dave Poyser

Councillor Praful Nargund

Councillor Caroline Russell

 

 

 

(iv)           That the following appointments be made to the remaining committees for 2023/24 or until successors are appointed:

CHILDREN’S SERVICES SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (8 Councillors)

Councillor Sheila Chapman (Chair)

Councillor Fin Craig

Councillor Valerie Bossman-Quarshie (Vice Chair)

Councillor Toby North

Councillor Rosaline Ogunro  

Councillor Saiqa Pandor 

Councillor Clare Zammit

Councillor Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong

 

Co-opted Members for Education related issues:

 

 

Roman Catholic Diocese – Mary Clement

 

 

Parent Governor Representative (Primary) – Jon Stansfield

 

 

Parent Governor Representative (Secondary) – Zaleera Wallace

 

 

Substitutes:

 

Councillor Jilani Chowdhury 

Councillor Paul Convery 

 

Councillor Dave Poyser

Councillor Heather Staff

 

Councillor Ilkay Cinko-Oner

Councillor Benali Hamdache

 

 

 

ENVIRONMENT & REGENERATION SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (8 Councillors)

Councillor Tricia Clarke (Chair)

Councillor Mick Gilgunn

Councillor Clare Jeapes (Vice Chair)

Councillor Ruth Hayes

Councillor Angelo Weekes

Councillor Claire Zammit 

Councillor Fin Craig

Councillor Caroline Russell

 

 

Substitutes:

 

Councillor Jason Jackson

Councillor Heather Staff

Councillor Toby North

Councillor David Poyser

Councillor Flora Williamson

Councillor Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong

 

HEALTH AND CARE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (8 Councillors)

Councillor Jilani Chowdhury (Chair)

Councillor Fin Craig

Councillor Joseph Croft (Vice Chair)

Councillor Mick Gilgunn

Councillor Janet Burgess

Councillor Claire Zammit

Councillor Tricia Clarke

Councillor Caroline Russell

 

Substitutes:

 

Councillor Heather Staff

Councillor David Poyser

Councillor Flora Williamson

Councillor Benali Hamdache

 

 

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

 

HOUSING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (8 Councillors)

Councillor Jason Jackson (Chair)

Councillor Mick O’Sullivan

Councillor Ilkay Cinko-Oner (Vice Chair)

Councillor Mick Gilgunn

Councillor Phil Graham

Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir

Councillor Valerie Bossman-Quarshie

Councillor Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong

 

Substitutes:

 

Councillor Jilani Chowdhury

Councillor David Poyser

Councillor Ben Mackmurdie

Councillor Heather Staff

Councillor Caroline Russell

Councillor Marian Spall

Councillor Rosaline Ogunro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Councillor Nick Wayne (Chair)

Councillor Janet Burgess

Councillor Flora Williamson (Vice Chair)

Councillor Sara Hyde

 

 

Substitutes:

 

Councillor Angelo Weekes

Councillor Jilani Chowdhury

Councillor Jason Jackson

Councillor Jenny Kay

 

Independent Members:

Alan Begg  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Appointment of representatives to serve on Outside Organisations pdf icon PDF 203 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)               That the following list of appointments to outside bodies for 2023/24 for the remainder of the year or until successors are appointed:

 

Outside Body

Term of Office

Member(s)

London Council Committees:

Leaders Committee

One Year

Leader: Cllr Comer-Schwartz

 

Deputies:

Cllr Champion

Cllr Ward

 

Associated Joint Committee - Transport and Environment Committee

One Year

Cllr Champion

 

Deputies:

Cllr Clarke

3 vacancies

London Councils Forums:

Greater London Employment

 

One Year

Cllr Ward

Deputy: Cllr Bell-Bradford

Local Government Association:

LGA General Assembly

One Year

 

Cllr Comer-Schwartz

Cllr O’Halloran

Cllr Ward

Cllr Jackson

 

Others:

Angel Business Improvement Board

One Year

Cllr Klute

Archway Town Centre Management Board

One Year

Cllr Burgess

Cllr Chapman

Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Schemes Panel

One Year

 

Cllr O’Halloran

Cllr Spall

Cross River Partnership

One Year

Cllr Bell-Bradford

Finsbury Park Town Centre Management Group

 

One Year

Cllr Heather

 

Groundwork London Local Authority Strategic Board

One Year

Cllr Champion

 

Islington Community Chest Panel

One Year

Cllr O’Halloran

Cllr Zammit

Cllr Bossman-Quarshie

Substitute: Cllr Woolf

London Road Safety Council

One Year

Cllr Champion

Deputy: Vacancy

Nags Head Town Centre Management Group

One Year

Cllr Heather

Cllr Zammit

Newable

 

One Year

Cllr Bell-Bradford

North London Waste Authority

One Year

Cllr Champion

Cllr Ward

Reserve Forces and Cadets

One Year

Cllr Spall

Safer Neighbourhoods Boards

One Year

Cllr Woolf

Cllr Bossman-Quarshie

 

(ii)              That 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:

 

Outside body

Member(s)

Term of Office

Date Appointment to take effect

Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust

 

Cllr Kay

Three years

June 2023

City YMCA London City and North

 

Cllr Bossman-Quarshie

Three years

June 2023

Cloudesley Charity

 

Denise Ward

Four years

May 2023

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Cllr Bell-Bradford

Three years

May 2023

 

25.

Appointment of Panel Members to serve on Independent Admission Appeal Panels and Independent Review Panels pdf icon PDF 193 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

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

 

John Coombes

Carolyn Wagstaff

Sherron Alexander-Bedingfield

Constantine Louis

Simon Dodds

Sandra Morgan-McGovern

Jill Mclaughlin

Philip Stevens

David Adams

Rob Hull

Robert Milne

Victoria Nzeribe

Anthony Stoll

Ruth Grant

Maxie Telfer

Isobel Bevan

Simon Sherriff

Dr Susan Rowlands

Ashley Smith

Marilyn Berk 

Joanna Atkin

Margie Agnew

Janice Bailey

Dr Judith Richardson

Jane Airey

Andrew Balfour

Orla MacSherry

Naomi Greenwood

James Stephenson

 Karris Graham-Moore

 

Nikki Worcester

 

Charlene Wilkinson

 

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

 

John Coombes

Ruth Grant

Sherron Alexander-Bedingfield

Dan Mcearney 

David Adams

Robert Milne

Rob Hull

Victoria Nzeribe

Judith Richarson

Carolyn Wagstaff

Jane Airey

Philip Stevens

Anthony Stoll

Simon Dodds

Joanna Atkin

Jo Dibb

Ashley Smith

James Stephenson

Jack Sloan

Margie Adnew

Sarah Beagley

Damien Parrott

Francis Mcdonald-Gonzalez

Jenny Lewis

Martha Braithwaite

Julie Keylock

Orla MacSherry

Saul Heselden

Karris Graham-Moore

Emma Weleminky-Smith

Bryony Poynor

Jill Mclaughlin

Martin Jermyn

Janice Bailey

Andrew Balfour

Sarah Amissah

Hannah Nemko

Tim Archer

Nikki Worcester

Abdi Garad

Jane Kilgannon

 

 

(iii)            That, in the event that panel members are not able to participate in a panel hearing, the council may approach panel members appointed by other London Boroughs to ensure that panel hearings may be held within the relevant timescales.