Agenda item

Councillor Watts noted that it was the first time Council had met in the chamber since the general election and offered his congratulations to Councillor Claudia Webbe MP on her election and former Councillor James Murray on his election to Parliament, both of which were richly deserved.  Councillor Watts also congratulated Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir on her election in the St George’s Ward by-election.

Councillor Watts advised that he always respected the will of voters, but was concerned that the result of the general election was a disaster for the borough and that it will mean years austerity and cuts we can’t afford, that we will not receive the investment we need for council housing, there will be planning laws that make things easier for private landowners, there will be no government action on the climate emergency, there will be a hard Brexit damaging to our economy and our communities and the roll out of Universal Credit will take pounds out of the pockets of the families in the borough who need it most.  Councillor Watts said that when it inevitability goes wrong, the government will blame migrants and the poor and those least able to defend themselves.  Councillor Watts advised that he was very clear that the Council’s role now will be to defend, protect and improve the public services that so many people in the borough rely on, to build an inclusive economy providing jobs for residents, to take action on the climate emergency and continue to build a welcoming and inclusive borough.  Councillor Watts advised that he was delighted to join the Mayor at the We Are Islington event on the day after Brexit and put on record his thanks to council staff, partners and members of the community for organising the event at such short notice.  Everyone is welcome in Islington and we are proud of the diversity of the borough.  Councillor Watts advised that only though showing leadership on this will we be able to divide the forces that want to split it is absolutely right this council supports the more than 20,000 residents of Islington, our friends, neighbours, colleagues and partners who are citizens of the remaining EU countries and that he was delighted to work with Islington in Europe and others on a whole range of community events.  Councillor Watts advised that he was proud to be Leader of a Council standing together in these difficult times.  Councillor Watts advised that he was also proud to stand with the Mayor and other colleagues on Holocaust Memorial Day.  The Holocaust was the most evil of events and it did not start with the gas chambers, they were the outcome of many years of hate building and it was immensely powerful to hear the words of Hana Kleiner, Holocaust Survivor, and Mevlida Lazibi, Bosnian genocide survivor. Councillor Watts advised that we have an enormous job in Islington, not just to protect services, but to stand up for what we believe, to stand up for the good.  Councillor Watts advised that he is proud to work with the colleagues across the chamber to do that.

Councillor Watts noted there had been some changes to the Executive team and thanked Councillor Claudia Webbe MP for all her hard work, driving work on the green agenda over the last few years and for all the preparation work on low traffic neighbourhoods and the climate emergency.  Councillor Watts confirmed that he had been delighted to welcome Councillor Rowena Champion to the role of Executive Member for Environment and Transport and thanked Councillor Champion for all the work she had done since December.  Councillor Watts also wished Councillor Andy Hull every success in his new role and noted what an outstanding Executive Member he had been and thanked him for all his work on the London Living Wage, the Fairness Commission and steering the finances of the council through the most difficult time, for championing community safety and protecting women and girls from violence. Councillor Watts thanked Councillor Hull for his contribution and for his friendship and support.  Councillor Watts advised that Councillor Satnam Gill, who has enormous experience in both the public and private sector, will replace Councillor Hull as the Executive Member for Finance and Resources and that Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, will take on additional responsibility for Community Safety.