Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 July 2020 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

(i)            Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Comer-Schwartz, Hamitouche, Khondoker and Ozdemir.

(ii)           Declaration of Interests

None.

(iii)          Order of Business

The order of business would be as per the agenda.

(iv)          Mayor’s Announcements

The Mayor reflected on the events of recent months, commenting that they had continued to be very challenging for the local community.

The Mayor was saddened and shocked at the fatal stabbing of a young man in her ward last week. The Mayor said her thoughts were with the family of the victim.

Coronavirus continued to have an impact on people across the borough. The Mayor thanked key workers, health and care staff and all of those working to keep us safe during the pandemic. The Mayor said her thoughts were with everyone who had been affected by the virus.

The Mayor had been able to attend some events over recent months. In early August the Mayor had joined a number of Arsenal players in making a surprise visit to the food distribution centre at the Emirates Stadium. The Council was grateful for the support that Arsenal had provided to the community throughout the pandemic and wished them well for the football season ahead.

The Mayor had also visited schools to celebrate with students receiving their GCSE and A Level results. We should all be proud of the borough’s young people for their fantastic results.

The Mayor was also pleased to attend Islington Green for the 75^th Anniversary of VJ Day, alongside the Deputy Lieutenant and members of the Islington Veterans Association. The Mayor said it was important that such events are commemorated even during difficult times.

Councillor Watts thanked Councillor Ismail for her hard work and dedication over the past year as Mayor.

Councillor Watts noted the fatal stabbing of a young man near Caledonian Road the previous week and said his thoughts were with the family of the victim.

Councillor Watts paid tribute to all of those who had passed away over recent months due to Covid-19. The Council’s top priority was to keep people safe and Councillor Watts expressed his frustration that Islington still did not have an operational testing site. The Council was willing to work with the government and relevant agencies to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

Councillor Smith moved a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Ismail. The vote of thanks was seconded by Councillor Khurana. Councillor Woolf also contributed to the debate. It was commented that Councillor Ismail had made a positive contribution in the role and had reached out to the borough’s communities over the past year, including through the difficulties of the pandemic.

Councillor Ismail thanked her fellow councillors, the Mayor’s Consort, and all those who had supported her as Mayor. Councillor Ismail announced that £23,000 had been raised for the Mayor’s Charities, Centre 404 and the Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre.

The Deputy Mayor (Councillor Troy Gallagher) in the Chair

Councillor Comer-Schwartz, seconded by Councillor Chapman, moved that Councillor Burgess be elected as Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Burgess be elected as Mayor of the London Borough of Islington for 2020/21.

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

The Mayor (Councillor Janet Burgess) in the Chair

The Mayor accepted the office by making the required declaration.

The Mayor thanked councillors for their nominations. The Mayor paid tribute to local charitable organisations and community groups for working to support the most vulnerable people throughout the pandemic.  The Mayor also thanked council staff and key workers for their dedicated response to Covid-19.

The Mayor announced that her charity would be Age UK Islington.

The Mayor advised that she would ask councillors and members of the local community to act as consort at mayoral engagements.

The Mayor appointed Councillor Troy Gallagher to the role of Deputy Mayor. Councillor Marian Spall was appointed as the Deputy Mayor’s Consort.

Councillor Hyde moved the recommendations in the report. Councillor Woolf seconded.

The recommendations were put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

That the amendments to the Constitution, as detailed in the report, be approved.

Councillor Watts introduced the paper.

Councillor Watts thanked Councillor Burgess for her service on the Executive and as Deputy Leader of the Council. Councillor Comer-Schwartz was welcomed as the new Deputy Leader of the Council. Councillor Watts also welcomed two new members of the Executive; Councillor Turan as the new Executive Member for Health and Social Care, and Councillor Lukes and the new Executive Member for Community Safety.

The Council noted the following appointments made by Councillor Watts as Leader of the Council:

Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families: Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz

Executive Member for Environment and Transport: Councillor Rowena Champion

Executive Member for Finance and Performance: Councillor Satnam Gill

Executive Member for Community Safety: Councillor Sue Lukes

Executive Member for Community Development: Councillor Una O’Halloran

Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs: Councillor Asima Shaikh

Executive Member for Health and Social Care: Councillor Nurullah Turan

Executive Member for Housing and Development: Councillor Diarmaid Ward

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

RESOLVED:

A.   APPOINTMENT OF COUNCILLORS TO POLITICAL POSITIONS

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

B.    APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS

(i) That Alan Begg and Alan Finch be appointed as co-opted members of the Audit Committee for a four year term or until successors are appointed.

(ii) That Luke Rigg and Robert Milne be appointed as Independent Persons for Standards for a four year term or until successors are appointed.
(iii) That Reza Choudhury be appointed to the Independent Panel until the conclusion of the Independent Panel process detailed in the report.
 

C.   APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRS AND VICE-CHAIRS AND MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES FOR 2020/21

1)    That the following appointments be made to the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee for 2020/21 or until successors are appointed:

POLICY & PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE (16 Councillors)

2)    That the following appointments be made to the remaining committees for 2020/21 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)

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

RESOLVED:

A.      That the following list of appointments to outside bodies for 2020/21 for the remainder of the year or until successors are appointed be agreed:

B.      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, be agreed: