Agenda and 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.

a)     Apologies for absence

b)     Declaration of interests

c)     Order of business

d)     Mayor’s Announcements

(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. 

- The Leader will address the Council;

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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:

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

(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)

(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)

ENVIRONMENT & REGENERATION SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (8 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 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:

(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:

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. 

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

(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.