Transcript

the Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. Please be seated. A warm welcome to all councillors and guests at the annual meeting of the council this evening. Item one on the agenda is the minutes of the last meeting, so please could we agree the minutes of the previous meeting? Thank you. Item two. Item on the agenda, Mayoral announcements. First item, A, apologies. Apologies for absence have been received from councillors Gallagher, Graham, Kandoka, Saffron de Gongo, McHugh, Bosman-Quessie and Trowdry. So if there are any other apologies if you could let us know. Item B. Oh, you're here? Okay. Well, excuse me if I didn't see you, because there's quite a lot of people here this evening, but your name is down here, so apologies for that. So Councillor Chowdhury is actually in attendance. Item small B on the agenda, decoration of interest. Are there any interests? Decoration of interest? No? Can't see any. There are none. Thank you. Small C, order of business. The order of business will be as per the agenda. There will be a short adjournment during the meeting after the appointment of the new Mayor. So at this stage could I please remind all attendees that this meeting is being webcast live on the council's website. Item small D is Mayor's announcements. So since my last updates to the full council at the end of February, it's been another busy few months as Mayor. It's been really enjoyable. Yet again, the sheer number of engagements attended are too many to report here. But the following will give you some flavour of the activities I've taken part in. So I attended the International Women's Day with the Kurdish and Middle Eastern women organisations at the at the at the Community Centre. On St David's Day and St Patrick's Day I was at a flag-raising ceremony at the Town Hall. There was a very good Mayor's Civic Awards and Men Consider Awards at the Assembly Hall that I officiated at and was very pleased to give awards to people that have been awarded with them certificates. And I also attended two iftars. One at the Arsenal FC and the Findry Park Mosque, Community Iftar in Findry Park. Both of those were really good. One thing that I went to that was out of the borough, slightly out of the borough, was at Great Ormond Street Hospital. So I went to Great Ormond Street Hospital because they were having a seminar about celebrating children's medicine research. And it was really good because there was a panel there and I was on the panel. And the Mayor of Camden was there. And it was very insightful about the difference between children's medicine and adults' medicine and the amount of research that needs to be done on that. So that was very enlightening. I did another clean-up with McDonald's. Previously I'd done one at the Nags Head. This one was at the Angel. So we started off at the Angel store and we went to Islington Green. And I managed to do some planting there. I did some planting some plants. And I went all round the edge with... I love doing this. I got one of these litter picker things and I went round picking up the litter. It's really therapeutic, by the way. If you're in your local street and you get bugged by the litter, get yourself one of these pickers and go out at least once a week and go and pick it up. I find it a very therapeutic way. So I did that with McDonald's and we had a great time down there. I also went to the Cut the Ribbon. It's a former opening of the North Locality Family Hub at the Hornsby Road Children's Centre. And as mayor, you might have seen some if you haven't. I mean, you'll be very unusual if you haven't seen any of the photos of me doing all sorts of weird and wonderful things during my term as mayor. But at that one, I'm on the smoothie pedal power machine where you get on this bike and pedal it and it makes a smoothie for you. Of course, that's a very healthy thing to do, both in terms of the cycling and drinking the smoothie afterwards rather than gobbling up a load of sweets. So that was really great. But seriously, it's like a brilliant place where you see the amount of work that's going to be done with engagement with families and children at the Family Hub. So that was absolutely brilliant. I attended a Pillion Trust youth honours event at the Ring Cross Centre. I've been there before in various other guises. They're very keen on working with youth there and it's really pleasing to see. Another one at the Town Hall was the annual Foster Carers Awards that I went to at the Assembly Hall. Again, a place where people are recognised for what they've done in the community, in caring foster carers and whatever. And also in this very chamber, presentation of awards to caretakers and concierge, the Year Awards, and that was brilliant as well. So during the last period, there were two royal appointments that I attended. The first one was a brilliant opening of a brand new library in Moreland Primary School's library. And that was there I welcomed the Queen of England to there to do the formal opening. And that was brilliant in itself. But what was also brilliant was the way that the school and whoever arranged it had arranged to engage with the young people. And I can honestly say that they were encouraged to think well of themselves and what the importance of reading was and whatever. And the 400 children, absolutely ecstatic about what was going on. So that was really great to see. It was great to be there. And then the very next day, without any respite, really, myself and the mayoress were invited to Buckingham Palace and went to the garden party there. And I always say it's a bit like out of a Thomas Hardy novel, really, because it is really, but it was really good. And I did get to taste the cucumber sandwiches. And they were very good. And there were other refreshments there. And it was a splendid -- we met some lovely people. Lovely people there. And it's amazing the coincidence there are. But we actually met people that had been involved in opening the Citizens Advice Bureau over at 222 Upper Street when it was first opened. And I remember being there myself when it was opened by previous leader Catherine West. And so that was really inspiring. And we met the various other mayors of Plymouth and various other places and some mayors that I knew as well. So yeah, two sort of royal engagements. Today I was at the Wasteland Recycling Centre at Cottage Road. Brilliant work's been done there to sort of electrify the whole place that actually reduces the use of gas there. An environmentally friendly measure. They've got 852 solar panels on the roof. And they're now actually generating all the electricity that needs to run that building and indeed any surplus electricity that is going onto the grid. So that was brilliant there. And one of the companies working on that is called Vital Energy. And the little story about Vital Energy is that Vital Energy also worked with Islington giving crippled dates and raised money for charity as well. So not only are they an environmentally friendly business to work on improving the environment, but they actually give back to the community in terms of that. And you may remember that when I first became mayor, nearly enough a year ago, I went to one of their football tournaments and I actually scored a penalty and won a football. Right. But you know what happened this year? So I went there this year and I won't mention his name, but the guy that sort of was one of the managers there, he said to me, he'd been in goal when I scored this penalty. And he said, he came up to me, he said furtively, he said, Can you take another penalty against me? So I did and I missed it. So he was quite pleased. He said, Only I've never lived that down, letting that penalty in. So yeah, I couldn't resist telling you that one. So no, it was great though, but the event was good. And as I say, helping your doorstep event at New River Green, I went there and that was brilliant. Oh, and there, what did I do there? Boxing. Did a little bit of boxing and then a little bit of, I don't know, Zumba. But honestly, I really have had a good time. You can probably tell that I've been enjoying myself. It has been hard work as well. So again, more drawing. I've been doing more drawing, you'll be pleased. I haven't got it with me actually, the drawing. I went to the Toy Project again. And, and this is a thing that I've gone through with you, that I was yet again mistaken. My identity was yet again mistaken. This time for, Are you the president? I said, I'm not the president, I'm the mayor of Islington. But yeah. So it's been, it's been another busy period. I'll leave it at that. All I would like to finish on, I would like to say a warm welcome to our new councillor, Olly Steadman. And say a big thank you to everyone that worked. A big thank you to everyone who worked on the recent elections. Okay. So that brings me to item three on the agenda, which is leaders' announcements. So Councillor Comyn-Schwartz, would you like to speak? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I'd like to start by thanking you for your incredible term as mayor of Islington. You have achieved so much throughout the year. Thank you. Thank you very much. And I'd like to thank you for your support throughout the year, supporting our armed forces, amplifying the work of your chosen charity, Voluntary Action Islington, and being a true beacon of light at our various community celebrations. In a time where the world events have brought continual clouds of sadness and despair for so many of us, your jovial spirit and love for our borough has been a reminder of the best of Islington. I am thrilled to welcome Councillor Caruso. La Carana as our incoming mayor. I know she will make the role her own and the borough will love her being our mayor. I've seen her chairing style for a number of years now and I know her kind yet efficient manner will be an asset to our meetings in this chamber. Mr Mayor I would also like to welcome our newest Islington Labour councillor Ollie Stedman to the chamber. Ollie was a brilliant Labour candidate and I know he will be a brilliant Labour councillor for the people of Hill Rise for years to come. Two weeks ago joining Ollie in a landslide Labour election was our wonderful Assembly Member Sen Momoa but also Sadiq Khan winning a historic election for the Labour Party. I know he will be a brilliant Labour councillor for the third term. It is a testament to what Labour in power can deliver. I am glad that the Mayor of London was following in Islington's footsteps on delivering universal free school meals, building more genuinely affordable housing and working hard to tackle the climate emergency. Mr Mayor we are now halfway through this Labour administration and we have so much to be proud of. We have exceeded many of our manifesto plans. We are on target to meet the rest of them by 2026. We continue to deliver a balanced budget protecting vital frontline services despite the increasingly difficult financial context nationally. We have also continued with our house building programme, approving 587 new social homes with a further 133 new council homes and 28 supported housing schemes underway. We have also continued to deliver a balanced budget protecting vital frontline services despite the increasingly difficult financial context nationally. We have also continued with our house building programme, approving 587 new social homes with a further 133 new council homes and 28 supported housing schemes underway. We have launched two family hubs, making sure from birth we are doing all that we can for our children to thrive and creating a child-friendly community. Our Labour-run council has been leading the example of how to clean up the air, get Islington moving and tackling the climate emergency. For the third year running we have topped the London boroughs in the Healthy Streets scorecard and we have invested £9 million in our People for Friendly Streets programme, tackling both the climate and public health crisis which the Tory Government has failed to address. Our achievements are proof of our boldness and our values. This will be particularly important as we get closer to the general election, influencing a future Labour Government to create a more equal Islington. As we did this very week when the Shadow Minister for Immigration joined us to see our pioneering borough sanctuary work supporting and championing our refugee and migrant community, treating them with the respect they deserve, we will continue to impress on the current and future Governments the importance of fair treatment for refugees and migrants. Mr Mayor, I am incredibly proud of the work we have achieved so far and I know we will all continue to work hard. As we get closer to the next election, it is vital we have the best possible team to craft our vision for 2026 and beyond. We need to fight for fairer funding, reform to social care and the ability to build more council homes, to give local people what they need and deserve. Thank you, Mr Mayor. Councillor Hamadash, would you like to respond? Thank you. I also wanted to start by thanking the Mayor for his service. You have brought a joy and an enthusiasm to civic life that has been both contagious and exemplary. I know my colleagues and I have seen you at many events and appreciated your passion for our community and everything that is going on. You have also been a remarkably fair chair of these meetings, whether that is time limits or managing hecklers. You have made sure council meetings consider fully our business and that the rules of this Chamber are followed, and that is appreciated. We will miss your red trainers, which figure you have been confused for with your robes, whether that is the King, a judge or a pirate. And thank you for all the work you have done for your charities, including getting volunteer opportunities out there for our residents. So thank you. And congratulations to Councillor Khurana. Every Mayor brings their own flavour to this role. We look forward to your year ahead and seeing you at events in Highbury and beyond. Thinking about the wider context, I would like to celebrate the recent election results. Ten councils that were run by the Conservatives no longer will be. Councils like Havant, Maidstone and Peterborough have a progressive majority now. Places where there is an opportunity for Labour, Green and Lib Dem councillors to come together and run councils for the best of people. I find that inspiring. Progressive collaboration. I know it is a spirit that my colleague Caroline channels into the London Assembly. A body of 25 London Assembly members with three Greens re-elected and a progressive majority. And I know our team is laser-focused on celebrating Sadiq Khan when he does the right thing, like you, Les, and holding him accountable when he doesn't, like building Silver Town Road Tunnel. Finally, looking ahead, the big looming thing on the horizon is the general election. And I apologise to mention it so soon after the last election we've been recovering from. But as we all know, so much of our borough's wellbeing is at stake. The undermining of our public services and our council budgets. The vile culture wars seeking to divide us from our neighbours. International policies that drive war, rather than peace. And what's worse is that quite frequently, Islington and North London becomes a bit of a punching bag during these times. In some people's mouths, Islington has become shorthand for all manner of slurs and awfulness. In the politest possible way, and in advance, I'll tell them to sling their hook. I'm proud of this borough. Our values, our diversity, our community. And we've become a point of attack because we threaten their dystopian worldview. I hope every candidate running in Islington in the next election holds that lesson. The most recent London elections show that if you hate the place you're running for, you will not win. Thank you, Councillor Hammerdash. So we'll now move on to item four on the agenda, which is the vote of thanks and presentation of commemorative badges to the outgoing Mayor and Consul. It's quite a long title that one, isn't it? So, Councillor O'Halloran, I understand you would like to say a few words? Thank you. Where has the last 12 months gone? This is such a great pleasure to be thanking my good friend and the People's Mayor of Islington, Councillor Gary Heather. You truly understood what a great honour it is to serve this amazing borough and the community. Islington has so much heart and the best ever borough to be Mayor. I know you've worked really hard and you have loved it. Everyone's talking about the amazing stories, the facts, and sometimes the history lessons when you've attended events. I've really enjoyed them. Residents and young people have. So on behalf of all us councillors, thank you for all the knowledge you have. We know in Islington how important volunteers are and what an amazing job they do. With all your events and engagements, you still found the strength to get more people involved. Your chosen charity, VAI, Voluntary Action Islington, to give them the spotlight this year is so great. We know what a fantastic job Navinder and VAI does and ongoing plans with us and other organisations for this borough to be fairer and working in partnership. Mr Mayor, you're also kept with tradition with the sparkly trainers. I had to say that. Can I say as you finish your year of Mayor, you will have so many memories and highlights. You're singing, you're dancing, but most of all, how humble you are. How really down to earth shone through. You had time to listen. You had time to say thanks. You understood a Mayor it is a privilege to serve. You are a real community champion. So on behalf of all the residents, all the organisations, all the councillors, a massive thank you. And one last thing. For council, you chaired it fairly and most of all, you kept them into time. We know some of these councilors really do not know what the clock is. So well done. Enjoy your next adventure. You had a brilliant consult, the lovely Tricia. I thought we should mention Tricia as well. The people's champion, Councillor Heather, 23 to 24. Can't wait to see what you do next. Thank you, Councillor Heather. And Councillor McMurdy, I believe you would like to speak too. As the Mayor of Islington, we have been, well, we have served as councillors together since 2018. And you were my mentor at the very beginning, where you went above and beyond as my mentor, for which I am eternally grateful. You have been a good colleague and a good friend to me and over the years. And as Mayor, you have done some great work and pulled Islington communities together, especially Islington's wonderful youth and young people. And also your support for Islington. As a proud trade unionist and socialist, you have done admirable work throughout your life as a trade and hard work for our local communities. Councillor Heather, we were very lucky to have you as our Mayor and Islington over the past year. And you have shown the best of Islington as your time as Mayor. And I would love to thank you. Have a good evening. Thank you very much, Councillor McMurdy. So I think we've got the presentation badges from the leader there. Thank you, Councillor McMurdy. Thank you very much, Councillor McMurdy. Okay. Thank you very much, Councillor Comer-Swartz, for those badges. Brilliant. So it's very much appreciated. So first of all, I'd like to thank Councillor Heather and Councillor McMurdy for your very kind words. Thank you very much for that. So at the end of my term as Mayor of Islington, I would like to say how thoroughly my consult, Tricia Clarke, and I have enjoyed the year. We really have enjoyed ourselves. It's been a privilege and a great honour to serve the good people of our brilliant borough. In my acceptance speech last year, I said I wanted to be a Mayor for all the people of Islington and a representative of the people. The feedback I have received indicates that I have achieved those aims. And indeed, I'm really pleased about that. And that has included having fun, dancing, and singing along the way, as Councillor Heather Ann has pointed out. It really does go down well in the community when you participate with what they're doing and engage with them. I would also like to express how deeply I have cherished the opportunity to connect with the diverse array of people and organisations that make up Islington. And each engagement and the encounters with the people at them, has been a source of inspiration, and I feel privileged to have learned so much from the stories and experiences that have been shared with me. As someone with a deep interest in history, delving into Islington's local heritage with organisations like the Peel Institute and the Islington Local History Centre has been a particularly enriching experience. Discovering more about Islington's past has deepened my appreciation for the remarkable borough and strengthened my resolve to preserve and celebrate collective history in the future. In this regard, I would like to place on record my particular thanks to the St Luke's Community History Group and the Council's Heritage Service for the sterling work that they do to record and preserve the history of the people of Islington. And the former borough of Finsbury, of course. Let's not forget about Finsbury. One very important thing when you're the Mayor is you need to be totally aware of the ex-borough of Finsbury. It's not saying that you cannot know when you're the Mayor. So, and all that I say in, you know, the borough in all its diversity as well, you know. Can also thank the Mayor's Office for working with me to update our leaflet on the history of the Mayor in Islington. So there will be like a new leaflet that's updated on that. I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone in the Council who is supporting me and collaborating with me throughout my journey. As the Mayor, you can't do it without them, you know, it's really great that the people in the Council work with me. Regarding those I've worked with most closely, I'd like to first to thank the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Angela Carana. Working alongside her has been a great pleasure. Our partnership has been seamless and she is supporting me well all year. Her dedication and passion for serving the community is truly commendable. And I know she will continue to lead us as Mayor of Islington with integrity and compassion. I look forward to seeing the impactful initiatives that she herself will champion in the year ahead. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Mayoress, Councillor Tricia Karch, for her support and companionship throughout my remarkable journey. Your presence by my side has enriched my experience of being the Mayor. It really has so. Thank you very much for that. Can I also extend my appreciation and thanks to the Mayor's Office, to Ali, to Ashlyn and to Janet for their tireless efforts in organising and coordinating my mayoral activities. They really are a great team and I really want to place on record my enormous gratitude and thanks. You're working better. Your work and dedication has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth execution of what I think has been a very successful year for the Mayor in Islington. And I want to express my sincere appreciation to Sir Tan. Sir Tan is over there. The Mayor's driver, dedicated driver for his invaluable assistance. His knowledge and hard work and flexibility has facilitated and enhanced my work. Allowing me to focus on serving the people of Islington wholeheartedly. I mean, with Sir Tan, he's been doing the job for a while and he knows things that other people don't know about Islington. Not just how to get there, but all sorts of things. You all must have watched Yes Minister. You must have watched Yes Minister where there is a sequence in there where the chauffeur is taking Jim Hacker, and I'm not sure if he's the Premier then. I don't think he's the Premier by then. He's taking Jim Hacker to some appointment. And Jim's wondering whether he's going to get a promotion within the government, Jim Hacker. And the driver actually knows all the people that have been appointed. You know, and there you go. So, you know, and there is, you know, I know that's like, it might be far-fetched, but it's not as far-fetched as you think it is. So, Sir Tan has a lot of institutional knowledge. Yeah, no, but sincerely, he knows. You know, we're friends, like, you know, so he's been an absolute, like, an absolute rock for me. So, last but not least, I would also like to thank Voluntary Action Islington, my chosen charity, who I've took great delight in working closely with throughout the year. Charity fosters connections in the community by providing a service that matches local volunteers with local organisations in need of a helping hand. I've had the honour of attending events hosted by Voluntary Action Islington, each one a testament to the power of the community spirit they generate. From actively listening to and celebrating the tireless efforts of volunteers and staff at VA's offices, to recognising local champions of the community at events such as Volunteer of the Year award ceremony, it's been truly humbling for me and inspiring to witness the positive impact that Voluntary Action Islington's work has in our borough. Our joint goal this year was to put a spotlight on the value of volunteering by encouraging more local people to volunteer in our borough. Thank you. And thank you to the local people to step forward and lend a helping hand in serving the people of Islington. One of this year's many highlights has been the two volunteering fellows that we held together in February, which Voluntary Action Islington and the Mayor's Office put on collaboratively. By providing a platform for local organisations to connect face-to-face with budding volunteers, so many valuable connections were made to enable enhanced volunteering in the borough. Following the volunteering fairs, I was privileged to have the opportunity to develop my own connections with local charities who are supported by Voluntary Action Islington. I visited the Sue Ryder Charity Shop on Essex Road and got stuck in with an afternoon of volunteering myself. I worked in the stock room, I did some folding, I did hanging, and I did pricing, and I also did organising clothes for display. And it was a great pleasure to be there and be shown. To show them around, look what they do, how they make it all work, and to participate in it. So it's brilliant work in there. I also visited the Garden Classrooms Hut and their volunteers doing the wonderful gardening work in Newington Green. And really, if you haven't been there, go to Newington Green and see that. It truly is a great thing that they're doing. And what I didn't realise was I thought it was just Newington Green. It's not just Newington Green, they're doing it everywhere. They really are bringing a lot of people in to do volunteering. And doing great work. So I'm proud to have chosen Volunteer Action Islington as Mayor Charity for 2023/24. Their commitment to expanding and supporting volunteering across Islington has made a tangible difference. Especially during challenging times in the aftermath of the pandemic and during the cost of living crisis that we're going through at the moment. So I want to recognise Volunteer Action Islington and all the volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to bridge the inequality divide in our borough and ensure that everyone has access to the support that they need. Volunteer Action Islington, I love you. So, what am I going to do with myself now? You might wonder. I did come up with one idea. And I got it when I went to Bigfield Park and I was celebrating some improvements that had been made. And then when you go to these events, there are normally activities that take place there. So when I've been going to events, previously I've shown you some of the pictures I've done and whatever. So one of the activities that I did at Bigfield Park was... I made a crown. I made a crown there actually. They said to me, Do you want to do the activity? I said, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll do the activity. So it comes flat like and then you draw on it and then staple the ends together like. And then I had to make a contribution there. So I made that crown and I really enjoyed it. So when I got there, I came in there and I thought, What's that there? And it goes, Oh, that's Crumbles Castle. So Crumbles Castle is something that was built in the early '70s out of a load of old bricks. Because there used to be a Victorian tenement there called the Crumbles. Which was actually called Beaconsfield Buildings. And I've looked at it and the black and white photos look good, but there probably wouldn't have been any good living in there. So when they knocked that down, some people in the early '70s, when people were reusing stuff, they built Crumbles Castle. So I thought, I wonder, I wonder if I've got that, whether I could become the king of Crumbles Castle maybe in the future. Maybe that's something I could do. But then I realised that I wouldn't be able to do that. Because, you see, because I'm not a councillor in Callyward, I wouldn't be in the line of succession to get that esteemed position. So I won't be doing that. So what I'll be doing is, what I normally do is that I will actually be concentrating my role and efforts on the council as a Findlay Park Ward councillor. Both in the council and in my ward. I will be doing that and various other things. So that's what I'm going to be doing in the future. So with that, all I would like to say is that it is a farewell from me as the Mayor of Islington. As the Mayor of Islington this evening. It has been a great honour to serve the wonderful people of the borough as Mayor. All the different and wonderful people I've met through the journey have given me a greater sense of pride in our borough. And it has been a great privilege and an honour that I will cherish forever. And I really mean that. So thank you so much. So we will now move on to item 5 on the agenda, which is to elect the Mayor for the ensuing municipal year. Councillor Halloran, I understand you wish to make a nomination for the Mayor. For 2024-25. I do, thank you. I'd like to say it is a real pleasure to be here to nominate Councillor Ange Carrana as the first citizen of the London Borough of Islington. Councillor Ange was elected in 2018 to represent Tollington Wall. At the time I was Mayor and paired with Ange now to be her mentor. Councillor Flora Williamson and Councillor Mick Gilligan both heard Tollington Wall. Colleagues wish you the very best in your Mayoral year. Flora and Mick are on hand for any support you need and both know you'll do a fantastic job. Ange was born in Coventry. Grew up in Rugby. Moved to London at 17. Her first place was in the halls of residence in LSE in Roseby Avenue. After graduating, Ange lived above the kebab shop on LSE. Crystal Kebabs, which is still there. Ange lived there with Anna, who is her oldest friend. Anna is here tonight with Ange's family and friends. We welcome you all to the best borough, the London Borough of Islington. Welcome also to Mickie, Ange's husband. Mickie and Ange's first date was in the Landseer Arms in Tollington. I'm saying that because my colleague Councillor Wald loves to know where your first date is. Also, many, many years ago, Ange was asked, If you won millions, where would you live? She said, Holloway. Well, that just shows Ange has taken Islington into her heart. Now, I could start saying all the lovely things we know about Ange. Her strong loyalty, her sense of humour, her great hugs, her kindness, her caring ways, all this is true. But I think I'm going to mention her big flaw. And it's a really big flaw. She does not support the right football team. And to make it worse, it's well-known amongst her friends, her party trick, the Anfield Rap. Holding up six fingers, I'm going to say this because there's other, you know, for the well-known Liverpool team that have won the Champions League. Most of us know in this chamber, the best ever football club is Arsenal. And she is about to become mayor, so we're not going to hold this against her. And I'm sure on her very, very many visits to the Emirates, she would get to see the fantastic partnership work between the best ever club with this council, Arsenal. And then I think she'll appreciate our amazing team. She will also get the privilege to meet charities, other partner groups, residents, young people, the very best of Islington and the amazing people that we serve. I say the word serve as councillors in this chamber tonight. That is what we are all here to do. And it is an honour for all of us in the chamber to be working hard every day for the wonderful people of Islington. So there's only one thing left to say. On behalf of all of us, enjoy your mayoral year. First citizens of the London Borough of Islington, 24 to 25. And I'm just sending you my love and hugs, Councillor Anne Currana, soon to be Madam Mayor. Can we give her a clap? Thank you so much, Councillor O'Halloran. Councillor Turan, would you like to second? Thank you, Mr Mayor. This is a special occasion. Anjana is your name, not Anjana. A name is beautiful. I think it's quite important how to pronounce it. It's got, it's not, nothing to apologise about, Una. No, I didn't know this either. But the origins are quite important. I looked it up. What does it mean? It's Sanskrit, it's Hindi. And it means graceful, beautiful, kind. It means mother of gods. So it's a very special occasion. So it's a very special name. Anjana, you know, we are honoured to have you as our Mayor for the next year. We first spoke with each other on a bus on the way to Tollington ward, where you were asking, how is it to be Councillor? You've been here before me, so we started a conversation, never knowing that actually you would become this wonderful Councillor, and then even our Mayor. We'd be lucky enough to have you as our Mayor. First Sikh Mayor as well. You know, very proud to have you. Representation does matter. And actually challenging inequalities in every form, shape and form, is extremely important. And this Council, I know every Councillor believes that as well. You also obviously are the Councillor in my Mum's ward. And often she'll ask me, son, where's that kind Councillor? Which Councillor, Mum? You know which one I'm talking about, son. Why does she come over for tea and snacks? Now, you know, everyone's mum is the same, I know. They don't just invite anybody. So she must have flocked on. How kind you are, how good you are. And also that you are one of my sisters now. You can always be sure that Anjana will be on the right side of history, speaking up at the most crucial moments, without fear or concerns about self-interest, but determined to try making right what she sees as wrong, passionately challenging injustices, of any sort, and be there through thick and thin for those lucky enough to be her friends, as well as those who are around her. Anjana always ensures that there's equality and inclusivity wherever she's present, advocating for disabled and disadvantaged groups. She will challenge inequalities wherever they may be present, trying to make Arbora a better place. You've been asking the Council for more accessible public toilets for a while now. It's been about 18 months. We've been working together, obviously, with Councillor Bell Bradford, Councillor Kondoka, Councillor Ward, and many others. And recently one of them opened, and thanks to Councillor Kaye, actually, in Newington Green. It's now free of charge. It's one of the new publicly accessible, one of these great, you know, shiny toilets, actually, which we're proud of. But many more are coming on the way, and this is thanks to your good work and advocating. Anjana's also a fearless advocate for our NHS, the all-important NHS, having taken a giant international corporation to High Court for judicial review... ..to see if we could win back the two GP clinics that they had taken over. Somehow underhandedly. Didn't win. But you know what that led to? To a crucial, you know, powerful struggle to get it back. It led to one of them being re-procured, and now it's getting back into the hands of our Islington GP Federation, hopefully. And I'm very happy to say it looks like maybe even the second one could be on the way. You know, there are things happening. And this is all thanks to you standing up at the right time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now, your hugs, your smile, your kindness are ever-present. You're a positive energy in the Town Hall. You come and hug them. I'm one of them. I've been lucky enough to be one of them. So I'm really thankful for that. What's important is people won't always remember what you've said, but they will always remember how you've made them feel. And Anjana, you've always made me, and I'm sure many others, feel better about life. For that, I'll be eternally grateful. I'm proud and humbled to have you as our new Mayor of Islington. Fuslington. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you Councillor Turenne. Councillors, are we all in favour of the nomination? Yes. Thank you. So I declare Councillor Currana to be elected as Mayor of the London Borough of Islington for 2024/25. Congratulations Councillor Currana. Can I wish you all the best for your year as the Mayor? I know you'll do a fantastic job. And this is where I leave.

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• Please be seated. I, Anjana Khurana, having been elected to the Office of Mayor for the London Borough of Islington, hereby declare that I take the said office upon myself and will duly and faithfully fulfill the duties thereof, according to the best of my judgment and ability. I'm now going to sign the acceptance of office. Please could I ask Councillor O'Halloran and Tehran to come forward and witness the signing.
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• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I appoint Mickey Karana as my consort. Okay, good evening all. Any of you that were dozing, hopefully you've been woken up by now. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. I want to begin by thanking my fellow councillors for being honoured to serve as Islington's Mayor this year, with special thanks to Councillor Halloran and Councillor Turan, and of course a big thank you to my friends and family for your support over the years. I'm really looking forward to spending the year engaging with this community, who do so much both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. I'm really looking forward to spending the year engaging with this community, who do so much both in the spotlight and behind the scenes, embedding the ethos, the Islington ethos, that we are a community that works with and for each other. I want to share that the socialism that I believe in is everybody working for the same goal, and everybody having a share in the rewards. That's how I see football, and it's how I see life. Now, the words are not my own, as many of you will know. They belong to the indomitable Will Shankly, a hero of mine. And this is a fitting moment to say thank you to my friend Councillor Gary Heather, who I don't know where he's gone, but I can't... Right, fitting moment to say thank you to you, another indomitable hero. He's been a brilliant mayor. And they are big shoes, or indeed, excellent red trainers, to fill, comrade. I've enjoyed watching you and learning from you as your deputy this year. And thank you for all of your encouragement over all of the years. So, as you heard in Councillor O'Halloran's speech, I moved to Islington as a 17-year-old student to the halls of residence in Rosebury Avenue, and have since done a tour of North London, especially the Islington parts, including Holloway, again, you've heard it from Councillor O'Halloran, but living with my oldest friends, Claire, well, Anna and Claire, they're there. We all went to school together, and they're brilliant. Hello, lovelies. Anyway, brief sojourns living in Camden and Crouch End, but then back home to Islington, Finsbury Park. And then down to Canterbury, and then up to Tollington, and now I find myself in Hillwise. So, quick shout-out, and the third welcome to our newest councillor, Councillor Ollie Stedman. Woo! Anyway, so by 2010, not 2010, 2011, I was helping out in the back office of the Stress Project, which was part of the Holloway Neighbourhood Group. And then I was reading with schoolchildren at St. John's Primary, and then at Duncombe School, and was doing Pilates at the old fire station behind the Nags Head, and then also working with the Stuart Low Trust in White Lion Street. I participated and later supported the Talk for Health programme. So, a lot of community work. When I had the chance to serve the community in a more formal setting, I leapt at the opportunity. Not really so much leaping. As you may know, I can be a bit wobbly, but. Since being elected, I have continued to support my community, not only as a councillor, but I worked with, well, volunteered with Streets Kitchen when they provided food and accommodation in the Glasshouse Project behind Hornsey Road. As Councillor Turand mentioned, as a patient, I took private action, supported by crowdfunding over the goings-on at Hanley Primary Care Centre. So, thank you to those of you in this Chamber, and watching online, that supported and offered support both financially and in person outside the High Courts. It was very much appreciated, and a sign of what we can do when we work together. But, moving on to my charity for the year, it is, I've chosen the Brickworks Community Centre. Thank you. The reason being is that they are everything I love about our community. They are what community means to me. Their doors are open to all, no judgements, no questions, just support, care and compassion. So, I want to shout their praises from the rooftops, so everyone knows who they are and what they do. So, thank you also to Caroline and Colin for being here with us this evening. I'm looking forward to working with you. supported by my consort. I did think about whether to call him Mayorass but I changed my mind. Consort Miki Kurana and the Deputy Mayor Councillor Jackson. So I am a proud brown disabled woman who is a guardian reading, tofu eating member of the Wokorati. And I am proof that the daughter of a bus driver can also become a Mayor. I just want to end by saying that I want my mayoralty to emphasise that everyone, and by everyone I mean everyone, is welcome in Islington. I will now appoint the Deputy Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. . Thank you. Right, so I, Anjana Khurana, having been duly elected to the Office of Mayor of the Borough of Islington for the ensuing year, do appoint Councillor Jackson to hold the Office of Deputy Mayor until a newly elected mayor becomes entitled to act as Mayor in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of the Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act 1972. Tatiana Jackson will be the Deputy Mayor's Consultant for the year. . We will now move to item 7, which is appointment of the Deputy Leader and the Executive. This was circulated in a second dispatch. So, Councillor Pema Schwartz, would you like to speak? Thank you, Madam Mayor. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, I believe it is imperative that we have the best possible team in place ahead of our second term in this Council, allowing us to be more dynamic, more resident-focused, more able to take the advantage of the cultural and creative wealth of our borough. The changes I have made include a refocusing on how local people access our services, making sure we have a strong financial foundation and making sure we are using all our levers to give everyone a safe place to live, unlocking the wealth of opportunities in Islington by creating an economy for all, relentlessly tackling inequalities across the borough and building on our decades-long focus on early intervention and prevention, as well as our national leading approach to supporting refugees and migrants. Over the past four years, Councillor Turan has led our health and social care work with great strength, in particular leading our handling and then recovery from the pandemic, and in continuing our pioneering work for early intervention and prevention. I would like to thank him for all his hard work. I would also like to thank Councillor Kandoka for her time on the Executive, where she steered our important programmes of equalities and inclusion, solidifying our mindset and tackling inequality. Madam Mayor, a key part of tackling inequality is the focus on health and the impacts of the equal effects in our population. As Chair of Policy and Performance, Councillor Williamson has led the scrutiny and direction of how we approach funding challenges the council faces, including the ever-increasing social care budget. I'm excited to see how Councillor Williamson can take her experience of campaigning, including for health charities, to campaign for a fairer funding and social care, and move ahead our vision for a more equal Islington. I would also like to welcome Councillor Chapman to the Executive, taking on the role of Executive Member for Equalities, Communities and Inclusion. She has done a great amount of work within the voluntary sector, as well as doing a sterling job chairing the Children's Service Scrutiny Committee for a number of years, which has set the standard nationally for early intervention work, and I'm excited to see how she will drive this approach for all our residents. Given the impact budget pressures are having on our new home-build programme, as well as increasing inflation, long-term caps on rent, and rising need for housing, I have asked Councillor Halloran to take on the new build planning, bringing it together with housing maintenance to ensure a singular focus on management of housing finances, and ensuring our housing stock can be the best that it can be. This will allow my Deputy, Councillor Ward, to focus on the difficult tasks of ensuring we have financial stability, and delivering the best possible resident experiences of our council services. These are two of the biggest priorities for any council at this time, and it's vital we get them right for local people. Councillor Ward has been doing a brilliant job on this for the last two years, and I'm glad he will have now even more time to focus on it going ahead. Madam Mayor, one of our greatest successes has been our recent work on our pioneering programme of community wealth building, where we have become national leaders in this area, creating a fairer and more equal economy, for local people. Councillor Bell Bradford has led this work superbly, and I feel the next stage of this would be the incorporation of our rich and diverse cultural sector. We have so many important cultural organisations in the borough, and it's vital that they play their part in tackling inequality and creating a more inclusive economy. A key part of an inclusive economy is ensuring that everyone, in particular women and girls, is safe when enjoying the riches of our night-time economy. Since coming onto executive, Councillor Wolf has demonstrated an impressive passion and focus for his job. By taking on the night-time sector responsibility at a time when the topic is a conversation across London, John can bring together licensing to ensure we have a thriving, safe, exciting night-time offer for everyone. I'd like to also put on record my deep thanks to the hard work and dedication of Councillor Champion and Councillor Safi Ngongo, who are deeply committed and knowledgeable about their portfolios, ensuring we continue to lead the way in supporting Islington's children and keeping our borough safe and tackling the climate emergency. Madam Mayor, I believe this is an executive that can take us forward to the next local elections, providing the stability and experience we need to continue delivering for local people. Thank you. Thank you. The paper is noted. We will now move on to item 8, the constitutional update. Councillor Craig, please would you move the recommendation in the report. Formally, Madam Mayor. Would any other councillors like to speak? Okay. Well, we may now move to a vote. All those in favour? All those against? Okay. All those against? Any abstentions? Well, that's agreed. Thank you. We'll now move on to item 9, which is calculation of political balance, proportionality, and arrangements for committees. This paper was circulated by the Government of Islington. It was written by the Minister for the Environment and Tourism of Islington. It was recorded by the Minister for the Environment and Tourism of Islington. It was recorded by the Minister for the Environment and Tourism of Islington. It was recorded by the Minister for the Environment and Tourism of Islington. It was recorded by the Minister for the Environment and Tourism of Islington. It was recorded by the Minister for the Environment and Tourism of Islington. This paper was circulated in second dispatch of papers. Councillor Crave, would you please move to recommendations in the report? Normally, Madam Mayor. Would any other councillors like to speak? Okay. No. Well, that's agreed. Thank you. We'll now move on to item 9, which is calculation of political balance, proportionality, and arrangements for committees. This paper was circulated in second dispatch of papers. Councillor Crave, would you please move to recommendations in the report? Normally, Madam Mayor. Would any other councillors like to speak? Okay. No. Well, that's agreed. Thank you. We'll now move on to item 9, which is calculation of political balance, proportionality, and arrangements for committees. This paper was circulated in second dispatch of papers. Normally, Madam Mayor. Would any other councillors like to speak? Okay. No. Well, that's agreed. Thank you. We'll now move on to item 9, which is calculation of political balance, proportionality, and arrangements for committees. This paper was circulated in second dispatch of papers. Normally, Madam Mayor. Would any other councillors like to speak? Okay. No. Well, that's agreed. Thank you. We'll now move on to item 9, which is calculation of political balance, proportionality, and arrangements for committees. This paper was circulated in second dispatch of papers. Normally, Madam Mayor. Would any other councillors like to speak? Okay. No. Well, that's agreed. Thank you. Okay. That is agreed. Thank you. We'll now move to item 11. We'll now move to item 10, the appointment of councillors to political positions and the appointment of chairs and vice-chairs and membership of committees. This paper was also circulated in second dispatch of papers. Councillor Craig, would you move the recommendations in the report? Once again, formally, Madam Mayor. Thank you. Okay. Would any other councillors like to speak? No. Well, no. In that case, we will move to a vote. All those in favour? Aye. All those against? Any abstentions? No. So that is also agreed. Thank you. We will now move on to item 11, which is the appointment of representatives to serve on outside organisations. This paper was also circulated in the second dispatch of papers. Councillor Craig, please would you move the recommendations in the report? Formally, Madam Mayor. Thank you very much. Would any other councillors like to speak? No. Okay. Well, in that case, we will now move to a vote. All those in favour? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. All those against? Aye. Any abstentions? That is agreed. Thank you. So we will now move to item 12, which is the resolution to extend the six-month rule, section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972. Councillor Craig, please would you move recommendations in the report? Madam Mayor. Thank you once again. Any other councillors like to speak? Nope? Okay, in that case we'll move to a vote. All those in favour? All those against? Any abstentions? No, thank you then. That is also agreed. On behalf of the council, I'd like to pass on our best wishes to Councillor Graham. No, we're on item 13. So that's the appointment of panel members to serve on independent admission approval panels and independent review panels. Councillor Craig, please would you move recommendations in the report? Formally, Madam Mayor. Would any other councillors like to speak? We will now move to a vote. All those in favour? All those against? And any abstentions? That is agreed. Thank you. Okay, so that was nice and quick. I'd just like to say thank you. That brings us to the close of the meeting and so I would like to invite all councillors and guests to join me for a reception in committee room one. Thank you. . . . . . . . . . .