Agenda item

Question a) from Councillor Court to Councillor Shaikh, Executive Member for Economic Development:

 

What is the council policy around Islington’s Heritage Plaques, and does the executive member share my concerns over multiple voting distorting the awarding of Heritage Plaques?

 

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question. As Councillor Court knows, Islington People’s Plaques is an important scheme that allows our residents to recognise and celebrate our heritage. We do this through an open and democratic process. IPP votes come from two sources – online voting and printed voting cards in council buildings including all Islington libraries and the Municipal Offices at 222 Upper Street.

 

However, we are aware that there is potential for voting irregularities, especially with online voting. When the scheme originally went live in 2010 the system was set up to only allow one vote from any device, using the IP address as the limiter. But we did see a large number of complaints from public bodies, such as schools and libraries, because it stopped people who didn’t have their own device from voting. The system also asked for a post code, but this breached data protection so it was removed.

 

Since 2011, the IPP public vote system has been that the IP address is no longer the limiter and people can vote more than once on a single device. This allows families and devices in public institutions and communal areas to be used more than once. But, to control any irregular multiple voting, at the end of the voting period the votes are analysed. So any block voting, or over use of particular IP addresses, is picked up and removed from the final numbers. This means that all multiple voting is scrutinised and any possible issues are picked up and corrected. I hope this provides some reassurance to Councillor Court that the Islington People’s Plaques do indeed reflect local views.

 

Supplementary question:

 

I would like to thank Councillor Shaikh for her answer. I think many councillors know the history of the performing arts and theatres this wonderful borough has. Still currently, we have the Almedia, Sadler’s Wells, Park Theatre, our cherished Chickenshed, The Kings Head, The Old Red Lion. We have champions even within this chamber, our Arts Champion is Councillor Khan.

 

What people may not know, is that Islington’s first theatre was indeed in Clerkenwell. The Red Bull was just by St John’s Street, it was set up in 1605 as a rival to Shakespeare’s Globe. This theatre deserves recognition, one of my constituents is even willing to put their own money into this, but unfortunately I am told this is not allowed. I myself would be willing to allocate my Local Initiatives Fund money, and I hope Councillor Shaikh and the rest of the Council can support the recognition of this great theatre. 

 

The Mayor indicated that Councillor Shaikh may wish to take up this matter with Councillor Court outside of the meeting.

 

Question b) from Councillor Poole to Councillor Watts, Leader of the Council:

 

With the centenary of the end of WW1 fast approaching what progress has the Council made on securing the memorial arch at the site of former Royal Northern Hospital, and facilitating public access?

 

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question. I was lucky enough a few years ago to actually go inside the arch before it was closed up.  It is a fantastic tribute to the 1,307 Islingtonians who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War. It is vital for our collective memory, and to pay due respect to those who gave their lives, that such memorials are kept in the best possible condition.

 

The memorial is located on a private housing estate at what once was the entrance to the old A&E department of the Royal Northern Hospital, and I am aware that many complaints have been raised about its state and its upkeep. Frankly, I think the standard it is in is a disgrace, and the owners – Bellway Homes – who are responsible for its upkeep should be ashamed of themselves. They have a legal duty, and frankly a moral duty, to maintain the memorial to a high standard.

 

The council wrote to Bellway Homes last year and they are now working with the council’s Heritage Service to conserve and restore the war memorial.

However, I am currently writing again to the Chair of Bellway Homes to express my disappointment at the lack of progress and ask them to invest what is for them a small amount of money, so that the Memorial is fully restored before the centenary of the end of World War One next year.

 

I want to give you my assurance that we will continue to chase this as it is a serious matter, and would suggest that if we do not receive satisfaction from this angle, then I would be very happy to join Cllr Poole and the Islington Veterans Association in person to take the issue directly to Bellway Homes’ office.

 

Supplementary question:

 

Thank you Councillor Watts. I would like to put on record my thanks to you. This is not the first time I have raised this issue of war memorials in this chamber, and you gave personal considerable energy and commitment to restoring the Islington Green memorial. Thank you for your response, and I will certainly wish to be involved in any meeting with Bellway Homes. The question I wish to ask is, presumably when the hospital site was given over to the developers, Section 106 money would have been forthcoming. Was Section 106 money in place to enshrine this memorial, and if so, have the developers followed through on that commitment?

 

Reply:

 

Thank you. The development on that site is at least 20 years old and I don’t know the precise legal position on what commitment has been made, however, my clear understanding is that Bellway Homes have a legal and moral duty to maintain that memorial. I am not sure if this is through a Section 106 agreement or some other agreement, but they do have a duty.

 

Question c) from Councillor Poole to Councillor Webbe, Executive Member for Environment and Transport:   

 

Will the Council offer free parking for members of the Armed Forces who are home on leave or visiting relatives in Islington?

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question. The Council is supportive and appreciative of the sacrifices the members of the Armed Forces make. Your question is a good example of how the council could support members of the Armed Forces. But I think there is an issue about setting a precedent, and I think based on the evidence available, there is not sufficient demand to justify a specific Armed Forces permit. I am very happy to have a conversation with you to look in more detail if there is in fact further evidence that the council has not yet considered. As you know, residents can already purchase unlimited amounts of visitor parking vouchers, and council officers are able to use their considerable discretion and grant waivers on a case by case basis. I think it is probably better, given the fact that every Armed Forces member will have individual needs, to look at this on a case by case basis. I would personally advocate speaking to the parking team, so they are mindful of these exceptions and expectations.

 

Supplementary question:

 

Thank you. This is a real issue that came to me as Armed Forces Champion from a resident of Islington, whose daughter was giving birth and her partner was home on leave from service, and who had considerable difficulty getting to the property where his child was about to enter the world. Members of the Armed Forces, by nature of their work, are not necessarily routed in any one area, they are sent all around the world at short notice, but still face bureaucracy on their return to the United Kingdom. What I would hope that we could do as a council, is at least make our parking regulations explicit, to contain a principle that members of the Armed Forces returning to visit relatives in the borough, where there is a genuine local connection, are offered free parking.

 

Reply:

 

I think you make an excellent point. But I think that the issue you highlighted is an example of where we were able to use discretion. I know the case well, if I recall, the returning Armed Forces member had a permit for another zone, but that wasn’t enough for his needs. But we used our discretion, which enabled him to visit his partner. I think we should make decisions on this case by case basis. 

 

One concession we do offer for Armed Forces members is free parking at the time of the Poppy Appeal for those carrying out Poppy Appeal duties. I would be happy to have a conversation with you on what more we could do to supported Armed Forces members in Islington.

 

Question d) from Councillor Wayne to Councillor Webbe, Executive Member for Environment and Transport:

 

The stretch of Essex Road between Essex Road Station and the Balls Pond Road is a busy main road that divides Canonbury Ward in half. There is no dedicated safe cycle crossing point on this stretch of Essex Road. Will the Executive member for Transport confirm that a dedicated safe cycle crossing point along Essex Road is something that she supports, and that she will seek external funding from TFL for this crossing?

 

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question. What you propose is something we ought to welcome in terms of ensuring that people cycle safety. I am very pleased to be able to confirm that I support that request wholeheartedly. I would be keen to see necessary research for us to know exactly what is required, and then the necessary detail for us to transform that crossing. The council is already working in partnership with TFL on a programme of cycle improvements, we are also working with our neighbours in Hackney to make cycle improvements around our border. The council will seek the necessary funding to take this forward, and I would be happy to work with you to make sure we improve cycling in the borough.

 

Supplementary question:

 

I am very grateful for the support of Councillor Webbe, and I am very grateful for the work of Councillor Webbe in promoting cycling in the borough. The best way to ensure that the maximum number of our residents cycle is to ensure that there is safe storage for cyclists. In Canonbury we have secured funding to install a bike hangar along the New River Green Estate which is free of charge for our most deprived residents.  Will you seek funding from the Mayor’s Office and from TFL to ensure there is affordable, secure cycle storage for our most deprived residents?

 

Reply:

 

Thank you Councillor Wayne. Safe and secure cycle storage does encourage more people to cycle. I have previously stated my commitment to installing many more cycle stores on our highways, using car spaces where necessary. In terms of our estates, we have started a programme of providing secure cycle storage and I want that to continue. I want our Environment and Regeneration department to work with Housing to make sure that we increase the amount of safe cycle storage on our estates.

 

I was pleased to see the cycle storage on the New River Green Estate, I want more of that, and I am also pleased with the tremendous response that we received to the pilot of cycle storage in the St George’s and Tollington wards, because without advertising that generated 600 requests for cycle storage. I hope we will not wait too long for funding from TFL, but in any case, I want us to make sure we install cycle storage sooner rather than later.

 

Question e) from Councillor Ismail to Councillor Watts, Leader of the Council:

 

In terms of BAME officers working in the Council in the last year there have been some positive increases, but we have long way to go yet. The breakdown of internal promotions by ethnicity for the year 1st June 2016 to 30th May 2017, shows that of those members of staff being promoted 52.36% were White, 42.93% BAME, 3.66% in the ‘any other’ category, with 1.05% failing to declare.

 

Can you share with Full Council how long those people who have been promoted have been in post for before their promotion; whether they have been promoted to senior staff or corporate management team positions; and what the breakdown of those people being appointed to such positions is by ethnicity and gender.

 

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question. You will forgive me for not going into the individual detail of everyone who has been promoted, but Cllr Hull and I are happy to meet you to discuss this in more detail. What I do want to say, is that the council has made progress on recruiting BAME staff, although we do have more work to do. Of the seven staff recently recruited to senior management positions, six were women, and two were BAME. Tracking this data is more difficult, because of data protection laws give the council a deadline for deleting this information, and also because the council has an anonymised recruitment policy. It is only when someone is offered an interview that their name, gender and other details are revealed. This is to ensure that all candidates get a fair chance of being interviewed, regardless of what their background is.

 

We are currently exploring what we can do to get more equalities data out of our HR system, and we are also looking at what we can do to give staff from BAME backgrounds a helping hand on the career ladder, as we know it is important that our senior staff, as well as our junior staff, genuinely reflect the borough.

 

Supplementary question:

 

Thank you. I would be glad to meet you and Cllr Hull. I am sad to be asking again a question about equalities in this chamber; it is depressing for young people in the borough, especially as part of our work on the Fairness Commission was to consider the views of young BAME people. My question is, have you made any plans to replace the former Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy and Community Partnerships)?

 

Reply:

 

I understand your point of view, and it one sense you are completely right, there are inequalities in our borough. Information from the Office of National Statistics tells us that people of the Muslim faith are less likely to get a well-paying job nationwide. I know there are issues.

 

You will recall that there was a senior level restructure in the council, a number of people left and a number of people were recruited into new posts. At that time two senior BAME staff members left, and two senior BAME staff members were recruited. The people who were recruited were both at more senior grades than the people who left, so there was actually a net improvement in the position as a result. In terms of the replacement of individuals, we have previously discussed in detail that the restructure did delete certain posts, but did create other similar jobs elsewhere in the council. 

 

Question f) from Councillor Ismail to Councillor Hull, Executive Member for Finance, Performance and Community Safety: 

 

How does the Council promote and prepare training for BAME staff with potential to take on leadership and corporate management positions, and what plans for the current financial year does the council have to promote BAME staff and staff identifying in the ‘any other’ ethnicity category?

 

Reply:

 

Thank you Councillor Ismail. Before I talk about how we support existing BAME staff, I would like to mention how we recruit our staff in the first place. Recruitment is anonymised before the interview stage, as Councillor Watts mentioned, and has been since 2013, with levels of anonymity increased since 2015. In exceptional cases we do target certain media, such as The Voice, by way of positive action, and in a forthcoming advertisement for Shared Digital we will focus on women, with three senior women featured with quotations in the advert itself.

 

But, in terms of progression, we have the Inspiring Leadership Programme. The council introduced the Inspiring Leadership development programme in 2014. The programme aims to help high potential employees from under-represented groups to develop the skills and confidence to move to a more senior level. The programme is promoted through information sessions; written communications including publicity on Izzi, in IC Bulletin and the Manager’s Update and posters; and at senior management team meetings as well.

 

A second cohort of 8 members of staff commenced the programme in 2016 and will run throughout the current financial year. This intake was open to disabled employees in addition to employees from ethnic groups under-represented in senior management positions. The programme is designed to develop participant’s leadership capability and promote their readiness for progression.

 

The programme assists participants to develop core skills including self-awareness, knowledge and self-confidence to better position them to progress. A range of development opportunities are also available to all employees, including courses to move into management roles and to support career development. Data indicates BAME employees access slightly higher levels of training in comparison to the overall workforce profile. We also have active Staff Forums. Members of the Corporate Workforce Development Team attend staff forums, including the BAME Forum, to promote awareness and encourage participation in development activities.

 

In the end, appointment to jobs within the council must be secured through the normal recruitment process and will be based on merit, as is required by the law. Currently, about a fifth of the council’s top 5% of earners are BAME.

 

Question g) from Councillor Russell to Councillor Burgess, Executive Member for Health and Social Care:

 

Councillor Hull was quoted in Government Business on 3rd November 2015 saying “no-one should have to do a hard day’s work – whether for the council, a local business, football club, or charity – for less than they can live on.  Every employer in Islington should do the right thing, pay the Living Wage and stop using zero hours contracts”

 

The Islington Tribune on the 1st of September reported that GLL staff working at the Sobell Centre on zero hours contracts would lose pay for two weeks during the construction of a wall dividing the sports hall.  Is it fair that people working as sports coaches in Islington Council sports facilities have so little job security?

 

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question, I am delighted to have this opportunity to set the record straight. During the week of the sports hall closure, a small number of affected casual staff were offered alternative hours at the Sobell in the ice rink, the holiday programme, the studios, outdoor pitches and soft play. This was in addition to hours offered at other centres.

 

GLL’s staff who were advised of these arrangements in person and with more than two weeks’ notice.  20 staff were affected and 14 worked on other activities. The majority were fully understanding of the temporary situation, and staff were also offered extra hours beforehand to make up for any lost hours.

 

We are confident that the long-term benefits to the borough of the new trampoline park will significantly outweigh the short-term disruption.  The new trampoline park will create seven new permanent jobs, including two apprenticeship roles and around 15 - 20 casual posts.  Additionally, the junior programme has grown significantly, offering more hours than ever before.

 

In 2016, 59% of the workforce in Islington was made up of local people from within the borough. This will increase as the services increase at Sobell.  This year GLL has employed more staff in Islington than ever before. They have also tried to turn casual roles into full time permanent positions, giving local people more opportunities to choose the career pathways most suited to them.

 

Casual contracts are a key component of how the Leisure industry delivers its services. Staff on casual contracts do not have to work exclusively for GLL, nor do they have to accept the hours offered. For many people – carers, parents, students - casual contracts offer a flexible employment option, they don’t have to accept work if it does not suit them, and they are not penalised if they do not want that particular shift.  Also, of course, all staff are paid the London Living Wage. Not only that, but casual staff are paid for four weeks’ holiday – this is done by paying extra, above the London Living Wage, to cover the relevant cost.

 

Supplementary question:

 

I’m just amazed that in Islington Council we have workers in our sports centres who are described as ‘casual workers’. We know the precarious situation that so many workers are in. Will you ensure that sports coaches employed by GLL are not employed on zero hours’ contracts?

 

Reply:

 

I’m absolutely delighted to say that this is not the situation. Zero hours’ contacts are when you have to work for only one particular company, you have to turn up and hope there’s work there, otherwise you don’t get paid. These are not zero hours’ contracts. In addition, Unison recognise workers like this, and have a special category for them.

 

As the 30 minutes allocated for questions from members of the Council had elapsed, the Mayor advised that the remaining question would be responded to in writing. The following response was issued subsequent to the meeting:

 

Question h) Councillor Russell to Councillor Watts, Leader of the Council:

 

At the last Full Council meeting we passed a motion on Fire Safety, resolving to:

·         To make public all existing fire safety risk assessments of high rise towers in Islington;

·         To reassure residents in Islington about fire safety and work with local residents to hear and address any concerns;

·         To assist London level efforts to support the victims of the Grenfell Tower.

 

What progress has been made since 29th June on each of these three commitments?

 

Written reply:

 

The Council agreed to make public all existing fire risk assessments (FRAs) of high rise towers in Islington. I am pleased to confirm that the FRAs for Islington’s 49 blocks that are 10 storeys or over have now been published on the Council website, which can be viewed at https://www.islington.gov.uk/about-the-council/emergency-planning-and-business-continuity/fire-safety-in-islington/fire-risk-assessments

 

Uploading the FRAs for all 126 blocks of 6 storeys or over will take slightly longer and these are expected to be available on the Council website by the end of December this year. While this is later than I would prefer, the scale of the task in processing and redacting information where necessary is considerable. The FRAs involve entering residents’ homes, taking photographs and recording personal information, which legally cannot be shared with the public as it would be a breach of the Data Protection Act. The Council’s priority is to be transparent and make its residents feel safe, so rushing to upload information that may be incomplete or inaccurate would be neither sensible nor responsible. However, I have been advised by officers that the Council’s progress in publishing its FRAs is ahead of many other landlords, both local authorities and those in the private sector.

 

Since the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, both in the immediate aftermath and beyond, the Council has been working hard to reassure Islington residents about fire safety and listening to and addressing their concerns. In the case of Braithwaite House, where ACM type cladding was found on the sides of the building on Wednesday 22 June, a letter was immediately sent to residents and 24-hour fire patrols were installed and are still in place. A digital information board was installed on the estate to provide live information on the progress of the works and fire safety advice. Cllr Diarmaid Ward, Executive Member for Housing and Development, and I attended two resident meetings on Friday 23 and Tuesday 27 June to reassure residents and answer their questions, as well as take away concerns that required follow-up. Work to remove the cladding on Braithwaite House began on Monday 26 June and has now been completed. Cllr Ward and local Bunhill ward councillor Cllr Troy Gallagher revisited Braithwaite House on Sunday 2 July to knock on every door and ensure that all residents were informed.

 

Two other council properties, the Harvist Estate and Brunswick Estate, were tested for ACM type cladding but were found to be non-flammable. Residents were kept informed both of the fact that testing was being conducted and the results of the tests.

 

Letters have also been sent to all tenants, resident leaseholders and tenants of leaseholders to inform them of their safe plan of action in the event of a fire, provide safety advice and instruct how to report fire safety concerns to the Council. This week, letters were sent to non-resident leaseholders to remind them of their responsibilities as landlords.

 

Regarding private properties, ACM type cladding has been found at the Guinness Trust Buildings at Hungerford Road and Percival Street. The Trust has installed 24-hour safety patrols at both sites and we are continuing to liaise with them about these buildings. I am disappointed that student providers have not been more forthcoming in providing information about their buildings and we will continue to pressure them to share this with us. We are also in the process of identifying privately-owned high rise residential accommodation to check that fire safety measures have been reviewed and cladding tested following the Grenfell Tower fire.

The Council has set up a dedicated fire safety email address, Firesafety@islington.gov.uk, so residents can easily report concerns or ask questions. Regular social media activity, primarily through the @IslingtonBC Twitter account, directs followers to our fire safety pages, which can be viewed at: https://www.islington.gov.uk/housing/repairs-and-estate-management/home-safety/fire-safety

 

An FAQ document, which aims to provide as much information and reassurance as possible to residents, is also available on our website at: http://www.islington.gov.uk/~/media/sharepoint-lists/public-records/housing/information/adviceandinformation/20172018/20170706firesafetyfaqs.pdf

 

We recognise that our fire safety information must be accessible to all our residents. To this end, the Council is providing tailored information to deaf residents. This includes a signed meeting with Cllr Ward and officers at the Town Hall on Thursday 5th October and a fire safety update produced as part of the Summer Signpost British Language magazine, which can be accessed at https://www.islington.gov.uk/accessibility/bsl

 

Since the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, Cllr Ward has spoken at 12 fire safety meetings and is keen to continue meeting with other residents who have concerns. I am also very grateful to the Council’s emergency planning team and officers (LALO), who have been a constant presence, visiting Islington properties and neighbouring boroughs, including at weekends, to support fire safety efforts.

 

I am heartened by the extensive levels of support the Council has given to the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. A number of our staff were relocated to Kensington and Chelsea following the fire and many are still there providing much-needed support. Our Service Director for Housing Needs and Strategy, Maxine Holdsworth, has been working with the Grenfell Response Team since July and will be until the end of September. Two workers from our Adult Social Care team have been stationed in Kensington and Chelsea since the week after the fire to provide practical and emotional support. Adult Social Care and Children’s Services also staffed the family and friends support centre at Kensington and Chelsea for a week and the Emergency Planning team helped to run the emergency centre in the days after the fire.

The Council has also been playing its part to ensure that victims are rehoused as soon as possible. At the end of July, a family who had lost their home in the fire moved into a decorated and furnished flat in Islington, provided by the Council’s housing stock. Wherever possible, we of course wish to see victims rehoused in their own home borough. Three officers from housing needs attended Kensington and Chelsea for two weeks following the incident to give assistance and housing advice. Housing Operations staff have been working with Kensington and Chelsea to conduct viewings at properties and work with families, and a specific request was made for one our staff members to return there for a month, as the victims specifically asked for him.

 

The safety and security of our residents is an absolute priority and we will continue to do all we can to reassure residents, be transparent and take action wherever necessary in our community. I hope my response addresses your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide further information.