Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 September 2021, and the special Awards Council meeting held on 18 October 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting on 23 September 2021 and the Awards Council (Freedom of the Borough) meeting on 18 October 2021 be agreed as a correct record and the Mayor be authorised to sign them. 

If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest* in an item of business:

§  if it is not yet on the council’s register, you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent;

§  you may choose to declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest that is already in the register in the interests of openness and transparency. 

In both the above cases, you must leave the room without participating in discussion of the item.

If you have a personal interest in an item of business and you intend to speak or vote on the item you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent but you may participate in the discussion and vote on the item.

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This applies to all members present at the meeting.

None.

(i)           Apologies

(ii)          Order of business

(iii)         Declaration of discussion items

(iv)        Mayor’s announcements

(v)          Length of speeches

(i)                   Apologies

The Mayor explained that not all members were able to attend because the capacity of the Council Chamber had been reduced to accommodate social distancing measures.

(ii) & (iii) Order of business & Declaration of discussion items

The Mayor advised that Motion 6, ‘Repeal Islington Council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods’, would be considered after Item 5, Petitions.

Due to the volume of business to be considered, it was also noted that the Council may give priority to motions that had received amendments, to ensure that there could be fair debate on these items before the end of the meeting.

(iv)        Mayor’s announcements

The Mayor highlighted a number of meetings and events he had attended over recent weeks. The Mayor thanked representatives from his charities James’ Place and Forum+, who were in attendance and would speak about their work later in the meeting.

The Mayor was delighted to launch the annual Poppy Appeal and was humbled and honoured to attend a number of remembrance events, culminating in Remembrance Sunday. The Mayor was very pleased that the remembrance events were well attended and thanked all of those involved in the events, including the Islington Veterans Association, local cadets, council officers and councillors. The Mayor also thanked Cllr Poole, as Armed Forces Champion, for his support to the events.

The Mayor was delighted to launch the Reading Adventure, which encourages young people to be engaged in reading, and had also given out awards for the Summer Reading Challenge.

The Mayor had attended the London Political African Conference with Cllr Ismail and the Speaker of Hackney and had discussed how we can best support African communities in London.

The Mayor had attended the Dickens Museum to see the wonderful Oliver Twist exhibition. Local schools had contributed to the mural to raise awareness of food poverty. The Mayor was pleased that Islington’s young people had a great understanding of food poverty, environmental issues, and the need to give back to the local community and help the less well-off.

The Mayor had attended a number of events at the Irish Embassy, including an event to celebrate 35 years of the International Fund for Ireland, which promoted modern economic and social advancement while encouraging continued contact and dialogue across communities in Northern Ireland.

The Mayor had attended Islington Carers Hub to speak to young people and share his experiences as a teenager.

The Mayor was also pleased to attend a menorah candle lighting to celebrate Chanukah alongside the Leader and Islington’s Jewish communities. The Mayor had also attended the festive light switch on across the borough. The Mayor asked that those present use the festive period to reflect on their own wellbeing, to support those who needed additional help at this time of year, and wished the very best to everyone for the festive period.

(v)          Length of speeches

The Mayor reminded councillors to keep within the permitted length for speeches. The Mayor also noted that the meeting was being webcast on the council’s website for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 165.

The Leader noted that for the third successive meeting not all councillors were able to participate in the Council meeting as the government had not taken action to allow councillors to participate in meetings virtually. The Leader said this was particularly unfair for councillors who may be vulnerable to Covid, and noted concern at the recent rise in cases.

The Leader thanked the Mayor for his service to the borough. The Leader had been pleased to join the Mayor at several events, including the lighting of the Menorah at Islington Green to celebrate the start of Chanukah. The Leader was also pleased to attend the Mayor’s Charity Dinner; the work of the Mayor’s charities was admirable and the Leader looked forward to hearing more about their work later in the meeting. These charities did brilliant work to support some of the most vulnerable people in the borough and this mirrored the values of the Council.

The Leader spoke about the cost of living crisis and expressed concern for local people experiencing financial hardship. The government had cut universal credit payments at a time when people are still recovering from the financial effects of the pandemic; this had made life even more difficult for families on low incomes, alongside rising energy costs, high levels of inflation and food shortages in supermarkets.

The Leader was pleased that Islington offered one of the most generous resident support schemes in the country, and to further assist those families on lower incomes, the Leader announced that the Council would be distributing £200 supermarket vouchers to nearly 6,000 households in Islington most in need of support. The Council would also fund free school meals vouchers for eligible families through the school holidays.

The Leader wished everyone in Islington a peaceful and joyous festive break.

A petition was received from Jody Graber containing objections to the council’s People Friendly Streets scheme.

A petition was received from Rachael Swynnerton relating to promoting biodiversity and objecting to the spraying of glyphosate weed killer.

A petition was received from Martin Franklin objecting to the North London Waste Authority’s Head and Power Project, which included plants for a new incinerator facility being developed in Edmonton.

The Mayor reminded councillors that this item of business was being brought forward on the agenda.

Motion 6: Repeal Islington Council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

Councillor Ismail moved the motion. Councillors Russell and Champion contributed to the debate. Councillor Ismail exercised her right of reply.

The motion was put to the vote and was rejected.

Question (1) from Melissa Hetherington to Cllr Champion, Executive Member for Environment & Transport was withdrawn prior to the meeting,

Question (2) from Helena Farstad to Cllr Ward, Executive Member for Housing & Development:

Buildings (commercial and residential) are the largest source of carbon emissions in Islington. Without addressing Islington’s leaky properties Islington Council will not meet its 2030 net zero carbon target without major offsetting. When is the Councillor planning for the work to commence retrofitting the buildings and 25,000 homes under direct Council control; and how will he approach the challenge of convincing the remaining 78,000 or so households to do the same?

Response:

Thank you for your question. Islington Council is focused on tackling the housing crisis for local people, as well as the climate crisis, and the housing crisis caused by this government. A key part of that work is ensuring that our housing stock is of the highest possible standard. We are working with University College London to develop a strategic roadmap and options for decarbonising all of our Council housing stock.  The project with UCL will also look at the feasibility and approach to minimising carbon footprints within our housing estates. This work built on our extensive ongoing programme of insulation and energy efficiency in our stock, which means that over 20,000 of those homes have achieved an EPC rating of C or above. In parallel to our work with UCL, we will be undertaking large-scale trials of low carbon heating solutions on pilot estates that we are currently in the process of selecting.

As part of our work to decarbonise homes in the borough, we have also successfully secured, and will continue to apply for, new government grant funding to implement energy efficient measures into council-owned street properties, which are amongst the least energy efficient. A large proportion of the grant funding we apply for is also targeted at supporting the implementation of measures into privately owned homes for eligible households.  However, we know that the extensive work that would be needed to truly tackle poor energy efficiency of our council homes, as well as those homes not under the control of this council, will take significant funding. After 10 years of cuts from this government, we can't do this alone. If this government is serious about tackling the climate emergency, they need to urgently provide funds for councils to take the necessary action, including for the retrofitting of homes and buildings. I hope you will support our campaign Helena, thank you so much for your question.

Question (3) from Andrew Willett to Cllr Champion, Executive Member for Environment & Transport:

My impression from the early months of the People Friendly Streets is that they have made a massively positive difference to the numbers of people walking and cycling around Islington, while it also appears that traffic on some of the main roads, for example the Blackstock Road, is starting to ‘normalise’. Could the Councillors please confirm if this is in line with what the data  ...  view the full minutes text for item 169.

Question (1) from Cllr Poyser to Cllr Gill, Executive Member for Finance & Performance:   

The Boxing Club in Elthorne Park was temporary many years ago and is now dilapidated. As I have said many times before in full Council, organised boxing has been shown to be a proactive solution to all sorts of youth issues where the Council has been active. The Club is particularly supportive of women boxers.

The Boxing Club are doing excellent work trying to renew their premises – following the ‘Queensberry Rules’. It would be knock-out if Council help kick-start Round One of this project

Could you outline the support the Council has given the rebuilding?

Response:

Thank you for your question. The Council is focused on improving facilities for local people to take part in exercise and sport, as well as supporting local community organisations. The Boxing Club has plans to replace its current building with a new extended club building. This will enable the Boxing Club to provide better facilities for its members. So far the Council has contributed £34,500 to support the club in developing these plans; this funding has mainly come from the Hillrise ward councillors, but St Mary's and Junction ward councillors have also contributed from their local funds. Senior Planning officers have also met with the Boxing Club on a couple of occasions and provided the club with some extensive pre-application advice.  We understand the planning application for the new building will be submitted shortly and I wish them all the best in their future fundraising efforts.

Question (2) from Cllr Poole to Cllr Ngongo, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Families:  

As Her Majesty The Queen prepares to pass an historic milestone and celebrate her Platinum Jubilee next year, will the Executive Member for Children, Young People & Families tell the Council what plans are being formulated for Islington Schools to celebrate this great event?

Response:

Thank you for your question. The Platinum Jubilee next year is a wonderful landmark for our borough and the country. This Council is planning to work with our schools to make sure our children get fully involved, because it is a good opportunity for them to learn about the history of our country and the reign of our Queen. The government has announced that all schoolchildren are going to receive a free book, which will allow them to learn more about the monarchy and to understand in details the meaning of the jubilee. That is why we are putting resources in place for our young people to get involved. We know this is going to be a good and remarkable Jubilee next year; and we are going to make sure our children and young people learn about and celebrate the jubilee. Thank you.

Supplementary:

Thank you for that very encouraging answer. One thing that could be done is to secure and save the Royal Northern War Memorial as a fitting tribute to our Majesty.

Response:

Thank you. We will be celebrating our achievements. 

Question (3)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 170.

The Council received presentations from two of the Mayor’s charities.

Catherine Hennessy, CEO of icap, spoke of their work in supporting the Irish community in London with issues such as anxiety, depression and stress. The organisation offered therapy and counselling services to the community.

Tessa Havers-Strong, Director of forum+, spoke of their work to support the LGBT+ community in Islington and Camden, including services for victims of hate crime.  

The Council thanked icap and forum+ for their work and for attending the meeting.  

Councillor Gill moved the motion. Councillor Debono seconded. Councillor Russell contributed to the debate.

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

RESOLVED:

The Mayor noted that the report has been circulated in the second despatch of papers.

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

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

RESOLVED:

i.          That Councillor Gilgunn be appointed to the Environment & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the municipal year or until a successor is appointed.

ii.          That John Everson, Director of Adult Social Care, be appointed to the Health and Wellbeing Board for the remainder of the municipal year or until a successor is appointed.

iii.          That Councillors Khurana, Khondoker and Graham be appointed as substitute members of the Audit Committee for the remainder of the municipal year or until successors are appointed;

iv.          That Councillor Khondoker be appointed as a substitute member of the Licensing Committee for the remainder of the municipal year or until a successor is appointed;

v.          That Councillor Khondoker be appointed as a substitute member of the Health & Care Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the municipal year or until a successor is appointed.

vi.          That Councillor Poyser be appointed to the Grievance Appeal Committee for the remainder of the municipal year or until a successor is appointed

vii.          That Councillor Weekes be appointed to the Schools Forum for the remainder of the municipal year or until a successor is appointed.

viii.          That Miss Maxine Telfer be appointed to serve on Independent Admission Appeals Panels

The Mayor noted that the report has been circulated in the second despatch of papers.

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

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

RESOLVED:

i.                 To approve the amendments to the Constitution set out in the appendices to the report;

ii.                To note that the amendments will take effect from 10th December 2021, with the exception of the revisions to the procurement rules (paragraph 4.2), that will come into effect from 1st January 2022.

Where a motion concerns an executive function, nothing passed can be actioned until approved by the Executive or an officer with the relevant delegated power.

·       Motion 1: Good, well-paid jobs for local people

·       Motion 2: Stop the Government making local people pay for the pandemic

·       Motion 3: Rename the Ring Cross estate after Yvonne Connolly, the first Black female Headteacher in Britain

·       Motion 4: Affirmation of membership of Stonewall’s  Diversity Champion scheme

·       Motion 5: A cleaner, greener, healthier Islington

·       Motion 6: Repeal Islington Council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

·       Motion 7: Pause and review the Edmonton incinerator project

The order of motions was amended to take those with proposed amendments first.

Motion 3: Rename the Ring Cross Estate after Yvonne Conolly, the first Black female Headteacher in Britain
(title amended to ‘Celebrating Yvonne Conolly, the first Black woman Headteacher in Britain’)

The Mayor advised that a proposed amendment to this motion has been circulated in the second despatch of papers.

Councillor Ismail moved the motion. Councillor Jackson moved the amendment. Councillor Russell contributed to the debate.

Councillor Ismail exercised her right of reply on the motion. Councillor Jackson exercised his right of reply on the amendment.

The amendment was put to the vote and CARRIED.

The motion as amended was put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

i.        To Rename Ring Cross Community Centre after Yvonne Connolly to mark her achievement, the first Black woman Headteacher in Britain, as a sign to encourage black youth to learn and understand their proud history.

ii.        To install a plaque to commemorate Yvonne Connolly’s contribution to Holloway Ward and Islington.

iii.        To Collaborate with Caribbean Teachers Association annually exhibition and workshop of her work and achievement in Islington History Museum so it encourages Black Youth in Islington/UK and families too.

iv.        To support the innovative work which has been carried out by the Runnymede Trust, the Black Curriculum and others to engage young people and teachers with more expansive, representative and inclusive histories of Britain,  to overhaul the curriculum to better educate about the United Kingdom’s role in slavery, and to support calls from the National Education Union to ‘review the curriculum to ensure it embraces the fact that Britain is rooted in Black and global history, achievement and culture and includes the achievements of Black Britons; as recommended by the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.

Motion 7: Pause and Review the Edmonton Incinerator Project 

(title amended to ‘A green solution for Islington’s waste’)

The Mayor advised that a proposed amendment to this motion has been circulated in the second despatch of papers.

Councillor Russell moved the motion. Councillor Champion moved the amendment. Councillor Heather contributed to the debate.

Councillor Russell exercised her right of reply on the motion. Councillor Champion exercised her right of reply on the amendment.

The amendment was put to the vote and CARRIED.

The motion as amended was put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

i.        To continue to work with the NLWA and Labour Mayor of London to produce an EfW facility which maintains the highest possible environmental standards, produce as much renewable energy as possible and contribute to higher rates of recycling.

ii.        To continue to work with residents, businesses and organisations in Islington to reduce waste, increase recycling and move towards a circular economy in line with the Council’s commitments to net zero and waste reduction.

iii.        To work with the NLWA in a transparent and accountable way to include the regular updating of the Council Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee by NLWA officers.

Motion 1: Good, well paid jobs for local people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 175.