Attending meetings

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the council has changed the way that questions will be dealt with at Full Council meetings. As required by national legislation, Council meetings must be held in person. In order to prioritise the safety of members of the public, councillors and staff, we are unable to admit members of the public asking questions to the Council Chamber at this time.

Instead of attending the meeting in person, members of the public will be able to watch proceedings through the council's webcasting service.

The Council will accept questions submitted in advance and a verbal response will be given at the meeting.

Unfortunately, as members of the public are not able to be seated inside the Council Chamber, the Council is not able to receive supplementary questions or questions without notice at this time.

Questions must be submitted in advance at least 7 clear working days before the date of the meeting (there is a list of deadline dates below). The question and the name of the questioner will be printed with the agenda and this will be published in the papers for the meeting and on the Council's website. The question, the name of the questioner and the reply given will also be included in the minutes of the meeting and will be published on the Council's website.

Questions will usually be answered in the order they were received, however the Mayor has the discretion to vary this if necessary.

Questions should be emailed to democracy@islington.gov.uk

A question may be rejected if it:

(a) is not about a matter for which the Council has a responsibility or which affects the area;
(b) is defamatory, frivolous or offensive;
(c) is substantially the same as a question asked within the last six months;
(d) requests the disclosure of information which is confidential or exempt; or
(e) names, or clearly identifies, a member of staff or any other individual.

If a reply cannot be given at the meeting, or if the time allocated for questions has elapsed, a written reply will be sent.

Deadlines for the submission of advance questions for full Council

Filming, recording and broadcasting meetings

Public access for filming, recording and broadcasting meetings is subject to capacity limits and other covid-safe protocols at this time. However, providing that no disruption is caused and that other people are not obstructed from observing and participating in the meeting, the press and members of the public are able to film, photograph or record decision making in action at any council meeting that is open to the public and to use social media tools, such as Twitter.

We request that other members of the public are not filmed or recorded, unless they are speaking or actively participating in the meeting and to avoid disruption to meetings, flash photography, additional lighting or large equipment are not permitted, unless agreed in advance.

Should filming, recording or using social media become disruptive, the council's constitution provides for the removal of a member of the public from a meeting should that person, having been warned, continue to interrupt proceedings.

Any person or organisation choosing to film, record or broadcast any meeting of the Council, its Cabinet or committees is responsible for any claims or other liability resulting from them so doing and by choosing to film, record or broadcast proceedings they accept that they are required to indemnify the Council, its members and officers in relation to any such claims or liabilities.