Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 September 2024 and the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on the 19 November 2024

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 September 2024 and the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 19 November 2024 were agreed as a correct record and the Mayor was authorised to sign them.

No declarations were made.

(i)           Apologies

(ii)          Order of business

(iii)         Declaration of discussion items

(iv)        Mayor’s announcements

(v)          Length of speeches

(i) Apologies

Apologies were received from Councillors Graham, Khondoker, North, Nargund, Gill and Cinko-Oner.

(ii) Order of business

The order of business changed as per Procedure Rule 11.2 of the Council’s Constitution this is set out in (iii) declaration of discussion items below

(iii) Declaration of discussion items

Under Procedure Rule 11.2 of the Council’s Constitution, each political group may nominate one item of business on the agenda for discussion before 9.30pm.

The Labour Group nominated Motion 5, Giving refugees time to resettle as a priority item of business, and this was heard as the first motion.

 (iv) Mayor’s announcements

The Mayor reported on the recent festive activities across the borough, highlighting numerous events attended. These included visits to local care homes, urging support for local businesses during Christmas, and attending cultural events such as carol concerts and pantomimes. Additionally, the Mayor participated in civic engagements marking occasions like Black History Month and Hate Crime Awareness Week. Special mentions were made for charitable efforts, including a successful charity dinner and a winter parcel appeal for Brickworks Community Centre. The Mayor also announced the opening of the borough’s new Black Cultural Centre and encouraged nominations for Civic and Ben Kinsella Awards.

The Mayor expressed her condolences at the passing of Jean Willson OBE, recognising her significant contributions to the community and outstanding services to people with learning disabilities and their family carers. The Mayor said her thoughts were with her family and loved ones at this difficult time.

The Mayor concluded by extending warm wishes for the festive season and the upcoming year.

(v) Length of Speeches

The Mayor reminded all present to take note of the timer and the length of speeches; and also reminded all attendees of the Public Sector Equality Duty.

-          The Leader will address the Council.

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

The Leader welcomed Cllr James Potts as a new councillor and expressed gratitude to the residents of Junction Ward for their continued trust in Labour. She reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to serving residents, every decision made should prioritise residents’ best interests.

Ahead of the festive break, the Leader urged everyone to support the local economy by shopping at local businesses and high streets. Additionally, she encouraged small acts of kindness throughout the borough, recognising that the festive season can be a difficult time for some.

The Leader acknowledged the hard work of council staff, particularly those working over Christmas, and highlighted ongoing efforts to address climate challenges. The Leader concluded by wishing everyone a peaceful and prosperous New Year, reaffirming the council’s dedication to serving the community in 2025.

The Leader of the Opposition congratulated Cllr Una O’Halloran on her election as the Leader.

The Leader of the Opposition announced the formation of a coalition between Islington Greens and Independents to provide constructive and focused opposition, rooted in principles and shared concerns over issues like Gaza and austerity. The group was committed to tackling key local issues, including government-imposed budget constraints, inefficiencies in housing repairs, and the need for urgent climate action. They criticised the borough’s lack of progress on recycling rates and missed opportunities to utilise government funding for greening homes. The Leader of the Opposition also called for action on pensions fund investments in response to the conflict in Gaza.

Finally, the Leader of the Opposition urged the council to be the boldest and most progressive in the country. With no Conservative opposition in Islington, they called for unity in ambition, setting an example for councils nationwide, and delivering the high standards expected by residents.

Cllr O’Halloran moved the recommendations in the report. The recommendations were noted.

RESOLVED:

To note the appointment of Councillors to the Executive.

The Council received 2 petitions:

1.    Improving public toilet provision. This petition was presented by Cornelius McAfee.

2.    The Proposed Closure of Highbury Quadrant Primary School. This petition was presented by Dominic Milne.

The Council debated the petition presented to the previous meeting from the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.

Elsha Tesfaye re-presented the petition to the Council.

Councillor Convery moved the motion to begin the debate. Councillor Ward seconded. A statement from Councillors Convery and Ward was also published in the second despatch of papers. 

Councillors Clarke and Shaikh contributed to the debate. Councillor Convery exercised their right of reply.

Key points raised in the debate included:

• The Council expressed sorrow at the violence in Gaza and recognised the deep pain felt after the October 7^th massacre. The Council reaffirmed support for a permanent peace through a two-state solution. Councillors acknowledged the ethical concerns raised regarding its pension fund investments and noted the existing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria applied since 2010.

• It was clarified that the Council did not directly own shares but held units in pooled funds, limiting its ability to divest from individual companies. However, a human rights statement had been adopted, and quarterly reports on holdings would be published.

• Regarding the UNHCR List, nine companies linked to occupied Palestinian territories were held, valued at £2.4 million. Half of this value was in three travel and tourism companies. While divestment was explored, it was deemed legally and technically unfeasible. It was also noted that future consolidation of London Borough pension funds under government reorganisation of the LGPS was an additional complexity. On weapons manufacturers, it was confirmed that as of Q4 2024, all investments in such companies, except Valero Energy, had been removed.

• Concerns were also raised over Barclays Bank’s environmental and arms trade investments. The Council had engaged with Barclays on several occasions around ethical and environmental issues. While no legal basis existed to exclude Barclays from the procurement process, a cross-party working group was considering ethical banking matters to inform future procurements.

• Councillors emphasised their commitment to ethical investment, acknowledging that while direct divestment was complex, a long-term transition towards sustainable funds remained the strategy. It was commented that there was a need for transparency and continued engagement on this issue.

RESOLVED:

That the petition be noted.

(a) Maha Mohamed to Cllr Ward, Executive Member for Finance and

Performance

There was a failure of this current government and the last government to

impose an embargo on arms. In July 2023 the council resolved to write to the next Labour government to urge it to "adopt a foreign and defence policy to restrict export licenses to prevent the sale of weaponry to autocratic and repressive regimes."

If the council has already done this, will it publish the letter? If it hasn't, will it send a letter at the earliest opportunity condemning the current arms licensing system, that is failing to protect Palestinians from what the International Court of Justice has ruled could be a genocide, and calling on the government toimpose a total arms embargo now and reform the arms licensing system to make sure that it can never happen again?

Response:

Thank you for your question.

Following the motion passed in July, we wrote to the then Shadow Secretary of State, John Healey, urging the Labour Party to adopt a foreign and defence policy that includes a commitment to restricting export licenses to prevent the sale of weaponry to autocratic and repressive regimes.

I have a copy of the letter here, which I am happy to share with you. Additionally, as you have requested, I am more than willing to publish it.

Thank you for bringing attention to this crucial issue. We stand with you on this matter.

Supplementary question:

Given that the UK has continued exporting components of F-35 fighter jets to Israel, despite reports confirming their involvement in attacks resulting in civilian deaths, will the Council commit to publishing the government's response to its letter and intensifying lobbying efforts? Furthermore, will the Council leader take this issue forward to the collective of London councils to strengthen the pressure on central government?

Response:

Thank you for raising this important issue.

As I stated during the main debate, this matter is deeply personal to me, having lived and worked in Palestine and witnessed firsthand the situation on the ground. I stand fully with you on this.

I acknowledge that some export licenses have been suspended, but I firmly believe that all such licenses should be revoked. We should not be supplying any equipment that contributes to the situation in the Palestinian territories—there is no justification for it.

I am more than happy to publish any response we receive on this matter. Additionally, if you would like to meet and discuss this further, I would be very happy to arrange a time to do so.

(b) Rona Topaz to Cllr Ward, Executive Member for Finance and Performance

Will vulnerable individuals and families who are affected by the budget’s welfare reforms affecting disabled people, and older people no longer eligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance, be prioritised when distributing the Household Support Fund?

Response:

Thank you for your question.

The short answer is yes, they will receive support. A total of 1,779 pensioner households on low-income benefits, who would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 323.

(a) Cllr Nathan to Cllr Ward, Executive Member for Finance and Performance

According to the 2023 State of Equalities in Islington report, over a third of people aged 65 and over in our borough live in income-deprived households. In 2017, Labour’s analysis warned that plans to means-test winter fuel payments would represent the “single biggest attack on pensioners in a generation,” potentially leading to up to 4,000 excess winter deaths. Given the government’s proposed cuts, does Cllr Ward share my concern that this policy change will disproportionately impact our vulnerable older residents, placing them at greater risk during the colder months?

Response:

Thank you for your question.

We are incredibly proud of our ongoing efforts to support pensioners in Islington. For years, we have worked to increase pension credit uptake, with our IMAX team leading four successful campaigns. These efforts have helped pensioners secure £2.75 million in pension credit, rising to £3.7 million when factoring in additional benefits. Over the lifetime of these claims, this amounts to an estimated £21 million in financial support for older residents.

Building on this success, we have spearheaded a London-wide initiative in partnership with the GLA and are currently reaching out to 337 additional households who are eligible but not yet claiming pension credit ahead of the December 21, 2024, deadline.

This year, we also piloted an attendance allowance campaign, enabling 69 households to claim £320,000 in support, with a lifetime value of £2.1 million. Additionally, our IMAX team helped residents claim £6.2 million in annual benefits last year, and we are on track to surpass that figure this year.

For pensioners who miss out on the winter fuel payment, we provide a £300 payment through our Household Support Fund. We are also proud to have maintained the older person discount on council tax, ensuring pensioners receive £100 off.

Beyond financial support, we have expanded warm spaces over the winter months and continue funding services like Shine, which offers energy advice, food and fuel vouchers, and access to retrofit grants for insulation and boiler repairs. Public Health has also partnered with UCLH to organize pop-up flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

For older residents in care, we ensure accommodation-based services are prepared for the cold weather, providing hot meals, warmth, and access to seasonal vaccines. Our adult social care providers conduct winter checks to ensure residents have appropriate clothing and support.

Finally, our winter wellness project continues to support older residents in social housing, keeping them safe, warm, and socially connected. In 2023-24, we directly contacted 170 residents, with 60 benefiting from services such as flu vaccinations, health referrals, and benefits support. This outreach is already underway for 2024-25.

Thank you again for your question and for highlighting this important issue.

Supplementary Question:

Will you continue to stand with us against austerity, as you have in the past? We opposed it when George Osborne implemented it—will you oppose it in the future, regardless of who the Chancellor is?

Response:

Councillor Nathan, my Labour colleagues and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 324.

The Council adjourned for approximately 15 minutes.

Cllr Ward moved the recommendations in the report.

Cllr Ozdemir and Jegorovas-Armstrong contributed to the debate. Cllr Ward exercised their right of reply.

The recommendations were put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

1. To agree to adopt the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 as contained in appendix A.

2. To retain the empty property discounts and premium schedules to council tax agreed at full Council on 14 December 2023, listed below.

      i.        Council tax exemption classes A (unoccupied and unfurnished property that requires or is undergoing major repairs) and C (unoccupied and unfurnished property) will have a discount of 0% for all cases.

    ii.        Council tax discount for second homes will be 0% in all cases.

   iii.        Council tax discount for empty furnished lets will be 0% in all cases; and

   iv.        A premium will be charged at the maximum percentage allowed of 100% on the council tax of all properties that have remained empty for over 1 year but less than 5 years in all cases. A premium will be charged at the maximum percentage allowed of 200% on the council tax of all properties that have remained empty for over 5 years but less than 10 years in all cases. A premium will be charged at the maximum percentage allowed of 300% on the council tax of all properties that have remained empty for over 10 years in all cases.

    v.        A premium will be charged at the maximum percentage allowed of 100% on the council tax for Second Homes (also known as "dwellings occupied periodically"). A Second Home is substantially furnished but is not the main or principal home of any resident.

3. To agree the proposal to increase working age bands earnings levels by CPI to ensure support keeps pace with inflation, at an annual cost to the Council of £42k.

4. Note that a further review of the Council Tax Support Scheme including discretionary discounts will be undertaken, to report in Spring 2025.

5. To note the work being undertaken to support households with more than two children on Council Tax Support.

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

RESOLVED:

To note the activity over the past year to celebrate and support Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families.

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

RESOLVED:

1. To note that the political balance of the Council is: - 44 Members of the Labour Party Group - 7 Members of the Independent and Green Group

2. To agree the allocation of seats on committees, as detailed in Table 2 in paragraph 3.9 of this report.

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

RESOLVED:

1. To approve the amendments to the Constitution as set out in the appendices to the report.

2. To note that amendments to the Members Code of Conduct, the Members Allowances Scheme and Financial Regulations are effective from the date of the Council meeting.

3. To note that amendments to the Procurement Rules will be effective from 24 February 2025, to comply with the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024.

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

RESOLVED:

Appointments to Council committees and boards

(i)             That Councillor Nanda be appointed to the Corporate Resources and Economy Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(ii)            That Councillor Gallagher be appointed to the Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(iii)          That Councillor Gallagher be appointed to the Pensions Board for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(iv)          That Councillor Nanda be appointed to the Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(v)           That Councillor Staff be appointed as the Chair of the Licensing Committee for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(vi)          That Councillor Gill be appointed to the Employment and Appointments Committee for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(vii)         That Councillor O’Halloran be appointed to the Employment and Appointments Committee for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(viii)       That Councillor Weekes be appointed as a substitute member of the Employment and Appointments Committee for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(ix)          That Councillor O’Halloran be appointed to the Health and Wellbeing Board, and be appointed as Chair of the Board, for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(x)           That Laura Saksena, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Islington, be appointed to the Health and Wellbeing Board for the remainder of the municipal year, or until a successor is appointed.

(xi)          To note that Councillor Weekes has stood down from the Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee and that a successor will be appointed;

(xii)         To note that Councillor Weekes has stood down as a substitute member of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee and that a successor will be appointed;

(xiii)       To note that Councillor Weekes has stood down from the Licensing Committee and that a successor will be appointed;

(xiv)       To note the vacancy on the Grievance Appeals Committee and that a member will be appointed;

(xv)        To note the vacancy on the Investigating and Disciplinary Committee and that a member will be appointed;

Appointments to Outside bodies:

(i)             That Councillor O’Halloran be appointed to the London Councils Leaders’ Committee for the remainder of the municipal year;

(ii)            That Councillor O’Halloran be appointed to the Local Government Association General Assembly for the remainder of the municipal year;

(iii)          That Councillor O’Halloran be appointed as the council appointee to Central London Forward until May 2026;

(iv)          That Councillor O’Halloran be appointed as the council appointee to Dame Alice Owens School Foundation Advisory Committee for the remainder of the municipal year;

(v)           To note that the Executive will make an appointment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 330.

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: Winter Fuel Allowance

-        Motion 2: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

-        Motion 3: Homes for all: Ending homelessness and rough sleeping

-        Motion 4: A disability friendly Islington.

-        Motion 5: Giving refugees time to resettle

Each political group is able to identify one item of business to bring forwards on the agenda, under procedure rule 11.2 of the Constitution.

The Labour Group declared Motion 5 as a priority item, so this was considered first.

Motion 5 – Giving refugees time to resettle

Councillor Staff moved the motion. Councillor Chapman seconded.

Councillors O’Halloran, Jegorovas-Armstrong, Ibrahim, Turan, Gilgunn and Pandor contributed to the debate. Councillor Staff exercised their right of reply.

The motion was put to a vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

This Council resolves to:

1.    To continue to stand up for people’s right to seek a safe home in Islington and a fulfilling life, regardless of background.

2.    Welcome that the newly formed Labour Government is looking to devolve asylum contracts to Local Authorities.

3.    Work with the Labour Government to continue to improve communication around the move on period and to share best practice with other local authorities as well as central government.

Motion 1 – Winter Fuel Allowance

An amendment to this motion had been circulated.

Councillor Nathan moved the motion. Councillor Hamdache seconded.

Councillor Ward moved an amendment to the motion.

Councillor Nathan exercised their right of reply. Cllr Ward exercised their right of reply.

The amendment was put to a vote and CARRIED. The amended motion was put to a vote and CARRIED

RESOLVED:

This Council resolves to:

1.    Write to the Government indicating the council’s concern regarding the removal of automatic Winter Fuel Payments and urge they should be reinstated, as soon as it is economically viable.

2.    Write to both Islington MPs, asking them to commit their public support to a review of the reinstatement of the winter fuel payments where economically viable, and highlight the range of support provided by the council to continue support pensioners in low-income households who may be affected by the decision.

3.    Continue to promote the take up of Pension Credit to Islington residents through our brilliant IMAX team ahead of the 21st December deadline.

Motion 2 – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Councillor Hamdache moved the motion. Councillor Russell seconded.

Councillor Champion moved an amendment to the motion.

Councillor Hamdache exercised their right of reply. Councillor Champion exercised their right of reply.

The amendment was put to a vote and CARRIED. The amended motion was put to a vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

This Council resolves to:

1.    Explore the possibility to scope a trial for fortnightly collection of non-recyclable residual waste in selected neighbourhoods to measure impact on recycling and savings made.

2.    Work with our new Labour Government to defend and strengthen the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, the Deposit Return Scheme, simpler recycling, a ban on disposable vapes, and developing a circular economy.

3.    Work with the Local Government Association, NLWA and constituent Boroughs and request that as part of the government’s commitment to moving towards a circular economy, EPR is expanded so that it creates economic incentives for producers to design out waste and use materials that are recyclable.

4.    Publish a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 331.