The Executive meeting on 25 March 2026 reviewed the council's financial performance, noting a significant underspend in the General Fund and an overspend in the Housing Revenue Account. Key decisions were made regarding procurement strategies for various essential services, including postal goods, extra care services, and drug and alcohol support.

Budget Monitoring 2025/26 – Quarter 3

The council's General Fund is forecasting an underspend of £4.337 million at the end of Quarter 3 for the 2025/26 financial year. This positive position is largely attributed to improvements in parking income and a one-off income receipt from the NHS. However, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is forecasting an overspend of £4.323 million, primarily due to increased costs related to housing disrepair claims, staffing pressures, and works to address damp and mould in dwellings. The Executive noted these budget monitoring reports and approved revenue budget virements and debt write-offs.

Corporate Performance Monitoring Q3

Performance across all of the council's missions is largely on track for delivery according to the third-quarter monitoring report. Key successes include exceeding targets for apprenticeship starts, with over 1,000 achieved in the 2022-2026 period. The number of households in temporary accommodation is also better than targeted, and significant progress has been made in securing sites and funding for additional greening. The Executive noted this report, acknowledging the strong performance across the delivery plan.

Report of the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee – Homelessness in Islington

The Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee presented its report on homelessness in Islington, highlighting that homelessness is a system-made crisis rather than an individual failing. The report identified the lack of social housing as a root cause and made 21 recommendations, including calls for national policy changes and local actions. The Executive noted the report and thanked the committee for their work, with a formal response to the recommendations to be provided in due course.

Proposals for Islington's new Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Executive approved proposals for Islington's new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), a three-year grant from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that will replace the Household Support Fund from April 2026. The council will receive £4.1 million annually. The proposal to merge Islington's existing Resident Support Scheme into the CRF was approved, creating a single fund for residents. An allocation of £4.1 million for Year 1 (2026/27) was agreed across the four components of the CRF: Crisis Payments, Housing Payments, Resilience Services, and Community Coordination.

Procurement Strategy for Postal Goods and Services

The Executive approved the procurement strategy for postal goods and services, agreeing to continue participation in the Pan-London Procurement for Postal Goods and Services consortium. This collaborative approach with 22 other boroughs, working with the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), aims to secure better value and strengthen service resilience. The estimated value of the contract for Islington is £2.95 million over five years. The council's ongoing work to centralise mail through a Digital Post Room was also noted.

Procurement Pipeline Notice 2026

The Executive reviewed the draft content for the council's annual Procurement Pipeline Notice, which will be published on the Find a Tender Service in April 2026. This notice details high-value procurement activity anticipated between April 2026 and October 2027. The Executive noted that this notice provides a forecast and does not commit the council to any specific contract, and that individual procurements will still require separate strategy approval. The proposal to designate certain contractual arrangements as strategic contracts was also noted.

Procurement Strategy for the Extra Care service at Lindsay Apartments, Holloway Park

The Executive approved the procurement strategy for the Extra Care service at Lindsay Apartments. This new service will provide accommodation and support for adults aged 18 and over with Care Act eligible needs, aiming to meet the growing demand for such services within the borough. The strategy proposes a light-touch, multi-stage procurement process for a single lead provider. The contract is expected to have an indicative annual value of approximately £1.74 million and will run for four years with options for extension.

Procurement Strategy for Integrated Adult Community Drug and Alcohol Service

The Executive approved the procurement strategy for an integrated adult community drug and alcohol service, which will continue to be externally commissioned. This service, to be known as Better Lives, will provide comprehensive treatment and recovery support across the borough. The contract is expected to commence in October 2026, with a six-month mobilisation period before the service goes live on 1 April 2027. The proposed maximum total contract value, including potential extensions, is over £63 million. The strategy involves consolidating service delivery from three current sites to two within Islington, with enhanced community and outreach provision.

Appointments to be made by the Executive

The Executive agreed to nominate Councillor Jenny Kay and Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford to the West London Synagogue for the Pomerode Semites Trust for the period up to the Annual Council meeting.

Urgent Business: Interim Contracts for Voids Refurbishment

The Executive considered urgent business regarding the direct award of three interim contracts for the continued delivery of voids receiving refurbishment and new tenancy repairs works. This was deemed necessary to ensure continuity of service while long-term arrangements are put in place. The reasons for urgency were detailed in the report.

The meeting also confirmed the minutes of previous meetings and noted the absence of apologies. No declarations of interest were made by Executive members. Councillor Sara Hyde, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, was thanked for her service as this was her last meeting on the Executive. The next Executive meeting was scheduled for 25 June 2026.