This week in Islington:

• The Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee reviewed hospital performance, quality assurance in home care, and the Adult Social Care Quarter 3 performance report.
• The Corporate Resources and Economy Scrutiny Committee discussed the council's five missions and approved recommendations related to contract awards and the Packington Estate Highway Adoption.
• The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Health was scheduled to discuss mental health pathways and review the committee's work programme.

Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 29 April 2025

Councillor Jilani Chowdhury, Chair of the Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee, oversaw a meeting where the committee reviewed performance updates from the Whittington Hospital and University College London Hospitals (UCLH), discussed quality assurance in home care, and considered the Adult Social Care (ASC) Quarter 3 performance report. The committee also approved draft recommendations from a scrutiny review.

Whittington Hospital Performance

Sarah Wilding, Chief Nurse and Director of Allied Health Professionals at Whittington Health NHS Trust, presented the hospital's performance report, highlighting key achievements and ongoing challenges. The Whittington Hospital is preparing to support mothers from a wider geographical area following the closure of the Royal Free paternity ward. The hospital is navigating significant cuts to Integrated Care Board (ICB) resourcing and changes at NHS England by focusing on reducing temporary staff. While there had been improvements in A&E performance, there has been a recent dip, with 72% of patients seen within the four-hour standard in March. The hospital's key priorities include addressing hospital-acquired deconditioning, improving access to appointments, and reducing health inequalities.

Councillor Tricia Clarke, Chair of Environment, Climate Change & Transport Scrutiny Committee, noted the difficulty in changing appointments using the digital system.

UCLH Annual Performance Update

David Probert, Chief Executive of UCLH, provided an annual performance update, highlighting key areas such as infection rates, waiting times, cancer performance, and workforce. UCLH has maintained low levels of infections like MRSA¹ and Clostridium difficile, despite increasingly stringent targets. UCLH is working to reduce referral to treatment waiting times, with a focus on patients waiting longer than 65 weeks. UCLH has exceeded national targets for diagnosing patients within 28 days and treating 96% of patients within 31 days of a treatment decision. A&E performance is around the London average, with 72.8% of patients waiting less than four hours in ED².

Collaboration between UCLH and the Whittington is progressing well, with joint clinical and operational teams working to improve care. Councillor Chowdhury raised concerns about the digitalization of the appointment system and difficulties faced by older people. In response to questions from Councillor McHugh, David Probert, Chief Executive of UCLH, clarified the process for responding to coroner's court orders, stating that the hospital's legal team reviews cases and provides witness statements or evidence as requested by the coroner.

Quality Assurance and Home Care

Anna Makepeace, the assistant director of quality contracts and brokerage, presented a report on the council's quality assurance processes for home care providers. The council launched a rewritten Quality Assurance Framework in September 2024, emphasizing resident feedback. The framework includes annual quality audits, contract review meetings, and annual quality statements. The council uses a risk-rated approach to monitoring contracts, with more frequent monitoring for higher-risk providers, such as those providing personal care. The council works closely with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and monitors their activity and ratings of providers. Councillor Benali Hamdache, Leader of the Independent and Green Group, raised concerns about private equity firms in care homes and home care spaces.

Adult Social Care (ASC) Quarter 3 Performance Report

Councillor Flora Williamson presented the Quarter 3 performance report for Adult Social Care, highlighting key performance indicators and areas for improvement. The reablement service is performing well, with 76% of residents not needing ongoing support after reablement. Councillor Hamdache raised concerns about the proposed privatisation of the service, but Councillor Williamson said that the decision is not coming in place for nearly three years. Councillor Chowdhury raised concerns about the digitalization system and lack of replies to inquiries. A member of the public, Mrs. Roy, raised concerns about her father's unmet care needs, stating that he is not receiving the 24-hour care he has been assessed as needing.

Corporate Resources and Economy Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 01 May 2025

The Corporate Resources and Economy Scrutiny Committee (CRESC) met to discuss the council's five missions, review the work of the scrutiny committees, and consider recommendations for the scrutiny review. Councillors approved recommendations related to contract awards for estate recycling site enclosures and deep cleaning services, as well as the installation of electric vehicle charge points and the Packington Estate Highway Adoption.

Annual Review of the Five Missions

The committee reviewed the first annual review of Islington Council's five missions: child-friendly, community wealth building, empowering people, a safe place to call home, and greener and healthier. Councillor Theodore O'Harran, the Leaver of the Council, Stephen Biggs, the Corporate Director of Community Wealth Building, and John Abbey, Corporate Director of Children's Services, presented the report and answered questions.

Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, raised concerns about the actions mentioned in the report relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She asked about the target of having nine additional resource provisions (ARPs) in place by the start of September 2025, and wanted to know where the council was in relation to that target. John Abbey, Director of Children's Services, responded that there were three ARPs in place, and that the SEND strategy was ambitious. He noted the exponential growth in demand around SEND, which has outstripped the high needs block³.

Councillor Rowlin Khondoker asked about access to GP services and social care, referring to a recommendation from the health care scrutiny committee that GP federations should work with GP surgeries to establish a borough-wide charter to access primary care services. Councillor Khondoker also raised concerns about adult social care answering the phone and not answering swiftly.

Councillor Bashir Ibrahim asked about engagement and whether recruitment to panels is reflective of Islington's diversity. Councillor Ben Hayes asked about the community centre review and the timelines for tangible next steps.

Councillor Saiqa Pandor, Women and Girls Champion, asked about families being able to bid in temporary accommodation.

Annual Report of the Council's Scrutiny Committee 2024-25

The committee noted the Annual Report of the Council's Scrutiny Committee 2024-25, which sets out the work of the various scrutiny committees over the past year. Councillor Chowdhury highlighted the committee's work on housing for older people and its impact on the council's decision-making. Councillor Ozdemir discussed the committee's work on attendance and the complexities that have been unearthed. Councillor Wayne suggested that scrutiny committees could coordinate their work next year, particularly on issues such as inequality and poverty.

Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Health - Monday 28 April 2025

The North Central London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) meeting included a discussion on mental health pathways and a review of the committee's work programme. The meeting was scheduled to cover updates on mental health services, particularly concerning the transition from children's to adult services, and improvements in information sharing between organisations. A key focus of the meeting was to be an update on mental health pathways in North Central London (NCL). The update was scheduled to cover transitions from Children and Young People’s (CYP) Services to Adult Mental Health Services, and strengthening information sharing.

This week in Islington:

• The Executive voted to close St Jude and St Paul's Church of England Primary School and Highbury Quadrant Primary School, and adopted the new Planning Obligations SPD.
• The Licensing Sub Committee A was scheduled to discuss premises licence applications for Doppio Zero, the Archway Tavern, Sweety Cooky, and the National Youth Theatre.

Executive - Thursday 24 April 2025

The Executive met to discuss several key issues, including the closure of two primary schools, the allocation of public health grants, and the adoption of a new Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Ultimately, the Executive voted to close St Jude and St Paul's Church of England Primary School and Highbury Quadrant Primary School, agreed to allocate Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG) funds, and adopted the new Planning Obligations SPD. They also addressed corporate performance, local initiatives, and the redevelopment of the Finsbury Leisure Centre.

Primary School Closures

The Executive voted in favour of closing both St Jude and St Paul's Church of England Primary School and Highbury Quadrant Primary School on 31 August 2025, despite strong opposition from parents and local figures, including Jeremy Corbyn MP.

St Jude and St Paul's C of E Primary School

The decision to close St Jude and St Paul's was based on the school's low pupil numbers (46% surplus capacity) and a lack of a reliable route to achieving a financially viable future. The Executive heard from John Stansfield, Vice-Chair for Governors at St. Jude and St. Paul's School, who argued that the school was stabilising, with reception applications up close to 40% from the previous year, and had a viable merger proposal with Highbury Quadrant School that was not properly tested. He requested a four-week consultation with staff and parents.

Councillor Michelline Safi-Ngongo, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Families, stated that the decision followed a long process, including a seven-week formal consultation and four weeks of further consultation. She said that the falling number of pupils would damage the school's finances and jeopardise the quality of education. She added that both St Jude's and Highbury Quadrant had submitted proposals that involved closing the other school, and that there was no parental appetite for either option.

Councillor Diarmaid Ward, Executive Member for Finance & Performance, added that the amalgamation of both schools would mean the council would have to find money for the combined deficit, and that the Diocese could not underwrite £90,000 of income from the Mildmay Trust¹. He also stated that first choice numbers were up by 10%, but this only equated to 11 pupils, a deficit of 19 pupils and a £120,000 shortfall.

Jeremy Corbyn MP questioned the Executive on the Child and Child letter concerning the Mildmay Trust, the timeline of merger discussions, the distance to alternative schools, and the future of the school building. He also suggested that the doubt surrounding the school's future had depressed applications.

Paul Senior, Corporate Director for Children's Services, responded that the Diocese could not guarantee the £90,000 from the Mildmay Fund, that the merger proposal had not been put forward until the representation period, and that 88% of pupils lived within a 1.2 kilometre radius of schools with vacancies. He added that the diocese would decide the future of the building, and that the local authority had sufficient places in schools locally.

Councillor Sheila Chapman, Executive Member for Equalities, Communities & Inclusion, asked if Islington would lose out on funding due to parental choice. Mr. Senior responded that Islington currently had 560 surplus reception places, equivalent to £3.6 million in lost school revenue. Councillor Caroline Russell questioned the urgency of the decision, given that the school organisation plan phase 3 would cost almost £1.5 million.

A parent asked why the merger proposal with Highbury Quadrant was rejected based on guesswork. Mr. Senior responded that there was not an appetite from Highbury Quadrant parents to go to a religious-based school, and that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that an amalgamation would be viable. Another parent asked how Church of England parental choices were being protected, given the limited number of alternative church schools. Mr. Senior responded that the council had a legal responsibility to provide a school place, and that there were vacancies in church schools in both Islington and Hackney.

The Executive agreed to recommendations 1.1 to 1.5 on pages 173 and 174 of the agenda pack.

Highbury Quadrant Primary School

The decision to close Highbury Quadrant Primary School was also based on low pupil numbers and financial difficulties. Masood Sikta spoke on behalf of the school, arguing that the proposed closure was based on erroneous information and that community proposals had been unfairly rejected. He raised concerns about the impact on Muslim families², the distance to alternative schools, and the flawed financial assumptions in the report.

Councillor Safi-Ngongo stated that the process was about the number of pupils and the deficit budget, not about religion or discrimination. She said that the council had received four alternative proposals, but none were viable.

Councillor Ward added that the assertion of indirect discrimination was refuted, and that the four proposals had been evaluated and tested. He said that 85% of Highbury Quadrant pupils lived within a 1.2 kilometre radius of schools with vacancies, and that the amalgamation proposal was opposed by both schools.

Jeremy Corbyn MP asked about the number of children who come from homes where the first language is not English, and the large number of students that need SEND provision. He also asked what consideration had been given to suggestions of reducing the school usage to about half of the site, and then looking for other uses of the site. Mr. Senior responded that every child would go to a good or outstanding school in Islington, and that the diocese would make an informed decision about the future use of the building.

Councillor Russell asked if Islington would lose out on funding to Hackney because of the decision. Councillor Ward responded that this was a London issue, and that Islington currently had 560 surplus reception places, equivalent to £3.6 million lost in school revenue. He added that with 17 schools potentially heading for deficit, the council needed to act responsibly. Councillor Russell then asked if the $1.5 million cost of phase 3 of the school organisation plan included absorbing the deficits of the schools. Councillor Ward responded that a class needed at least 27 pupils to be viable, and that the schools in question had only 11 and 13 pupils signed up for reception, respectively.

A parent asked why one of the only cost-neutral alternatives was rejected based on guesswork. Mr. Senior responded that there was not an appetite from hybrid quadrant parents to go the other way, and that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that an amalgamation would be viable. Another parent asked how Church of England parental choices were being protected, given the limited number of alternative church schools. Councillor Ward responded that the council had a legal responsibility to provide a school place, and that there were vacancies in church schools in both Islington and Hackney.

Another parent asked about the 25 vacancies per pupil in Highbury Quadrant, and how she could not find a single one for her new reception child. Mr. Senior responded that the 25 vacancies were within 1.2 kilometres of each pupil address, and that the council had a duty to provide a school place for every young person within Highbury Quadrant.

Another parent asked if the Executive was comfortable voting on a report riddled with inaccuracies and disingenuous statistical information. Victoria, the chief executive of the council, responded that the reports were based on data, evidence, financial implications, and legal advice.

Another parent asked if the council accepted that the report ignored the religious makeup of Highbury Quadrant. Councillor Safi-Ngongo responded that everything was being done in accordance with the Equality Act, and that the process was about pupil numbers and finance, not about religion or race. Another parent asked if the school was not fit for purpose. Mr. Senior responded that the building was in a state of disrepair, and that it was not at the level that the council would want its children to be attending. A teacher then asked how the council knew that the quality of teaching was not good. Mr. Senior responded that the Ofsted report required improvement, and that the trend in standards over time fell below the national standard.

The Executive agreed to recommendations 1.1 to 1.4 on pages 239 and 240 of the agenda pack.

Local Initiatives Fund, Discretionary Rate Relief, and Community Chest

Councillor Chapman presented reports on the Local Initiatives Fund (LIF), Discretionary Rate Relief (DRR), and the Islington Council's Community Chest.

• Local Initiatives Fund: The Executive agreed to administer the LIF in 2025/26 in the same framework as in 2024/25, with each ward receiving £13,000 and a carry-forward limit of £1,000. They also agreed to delegate authority to the relevant Director to agree changes to the use of previously awarded funding, and noted the funding decisions and declarations of interest.
• Discretionary Rate Relief: The Executive noted that all DRR funds had been committed up to 31 March 2026, including awards to six organisations in round 3, and agreed to review the scheme for a new round from April 2026.
• Community Chest: The Executive agreed to renew the partnership with Cripplegate Foundation for the Islington Council's Community Chest (ICCC) programme for one year, committing £190,000 for the 2025/26 financial year. They also noted the funding decisions made by the ICCC panel.

Corporate Performance Update

The Executive reviewed the corporate performance update report, noting strengths in supporting residents into work, apprenticeship starts, call answering rates, and households in temporary accommodation being below the London average. Areas for improvement included household recycling rates, persistent absence in education, and delivering new green space.

Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The Executive agreed to adopt the Planning Obligations SPD, which sets out requirements around employment and training, local procurement, affordable housing and workspace, accessible parking, and other planning obligations.

Public Health Grant Allocation

Councillor Flora Williamson introduced a report on the allocation of additional grant funds for public health, specifically the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG). The Executive agreed to accept the £3,384,684 in DATRIG funds for 2025/26 and allocate £2,058,707.19 of these funds to The North London NHS Trust.

Islington Dementia Strategy 2025-2035

Councillor Williamson also presented the Islington Dementia Strategy 2025-2035, highlighting its focus on prevention, diagnosis, and support for those affected by dementia. Councillor Rowena Champion raised the issue of medication for people with Parkinson's and dementia not being given on time in care homes. The Executive agreed to endorse the strategy and promote its priorities.

Finsbury Leisure Centre Redevelopment

Finally, the Executive addressed the urgent business of the Finsbury Leisure Centre redevelopment. Following a discussion, the Executive agreed to withdraw the plans for the redevelopment, citing financial risks and the economic environment. Councillor Champion asked what had changed in the last month, and if the decision was a manifestation of councils abandoning house building projects due to a lack of government support. The chief executive responded that the decision was to minimise costs and financial risk to the council, before moving into gateway four.

Jeremy Corbyn MP asked for assurance that the pitches would be protected for the long term. Councillor O'Halloran responded that the pitches would be protected, and that the council would work with the community and the leisure centre to make sure that they get proper social value for the local people that use those pitches.

Licensing Sub Committee A - Thursday 24 April 2025

The Licensing Sub Committee A meeting was scheduled to discuss four premises licence applications. These included a new premises application for Doppio Zero, a premises licence variation for the Archway Tavern, and new premises licences for Sweety Cooky and the National Youth Theatre. The meeting was due to take place at the Town Hall, Upper Street.

Premises Licence Review: The Sekforde Arms

The Licensing Sub Committee A previously met on 26 February 2025 to discuss a review of the premises licence for The Sekforde Arms, 34 Sekforde Street, EC1R 0HA.

The sub-committee heard from residents who supported the review, who raised concerns about noise from customers leaving the premises after 11pm, and customers drinking in Woodbridge Street and Sekforde Street. They also stated that pavements were often blocked by customers.

Other residents spoke in opposition to the review, stating that they had not witnessed any anti-social behaviour, and that the presence of the pub made the area a safer place.

The licence holder stated that he wanted workable conditions, and that he had tried to implement conditions imposed by the court, which had not always been successful.

The Sub-Committee decided to modify the conditions of the premises licence, including:

• From 1 April to 31 October, all doors on the ground floor shall be kept closed after 21.30 hours, save for access and egress, and save for 2x windows at the front of the building, all first-floor windows shall be kept closed after 21.30. From 1 November to 31 March, the times are brought forward to 20:00. On any occasion when amplified sound is employed on the first floor all windows shall be kept closed.
• The use of the door to the Sekforde Street elevation shall cease at 21.00 hours every night and notice shall be displayed on the door, until such time that an acoustic lobby or acoustic curtain can be installed, as agreed by Islington Council.
• Clear and permanent signage shall be prominently displayed within the premises highlighting CCTV in operation, Challenge 25 Proof of Age Scheme in operation, that it is a Residential Area and customers should be respectful of neighbours and leave quietly, and the current business contact telephone number for venue management.
• The outside drinking areas shall be closed and cleared of customers by 22:00.
• After 22:15 any customer who wishes to step outside to smoke shall be directed to Woodbridge Street. Numbers of smokers outside shall not exceed 10. They shall not obstruct the public highway. They shall not be permitted to take drinks outside with them.
• An SIA registered door supervisor shall be on duty at the venue subject to certain conditions.
• The SIA registered door supervisor shall be present from 18:00 or one hour before the event until all customers have left the vicinity of the premises to supervise the outside area, supervise the dispersal of patrons, and control noise levels from customers.
• The premises shall operate the Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, where the only forms of acceptable identification shall be Photographic driving licence, Valid passport, Military/ UK Services Photo ID, and PASS Hologram ID
• All staff members engaged in selling alcohol on the premises shall, upon induction and every 6 months thereafter, receive training pertinent to the licensing Act.
• CCTV shall be installed, operated and maintained, to function at all times that the premises is open for licensable activities.
• All staff responsible for selling alcohol shall receive regular training in the Licensing Act 2003 in terms of the licensing objectives, offences committed under the Act and conditions of the Premises Licence.
• The licensee shall develop a Noise Management and Dispersal Policy to control noise coming from the venue, including people noise and to control noise from guests either congregating outside or leaving the area.
• The noise management and dispersal policy shall include a demarcation of the outside drinking area to be agreed by the Licensing Authority.

New Premises Licence: The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain

The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, 443-445 Holloway Road, N7 6LW. The application seeks permission for:

• The sale of alcohol on the premises, Mondays to Sundays, from 11:00 to 00:00
• Late Night Refreshment, Mondays to Sundays, from 23:00 to 00:00
• Plays, films, live music, recorded music, performance of dance, Mondays to Sundays, from 11:00 to 00:00
• Opening hours, Mondays to Sundays, from 09:00 to 00:30

Three local residents submitted representations regarding the application. Following this, the applicant wrote to the representors to address their concerns, including a copy of the operating schedule, agreed licence conditions, dispersal and management policy, and the operational management plan.

The applicant agreed conditions with the Council’s Noise Service and the Metropolitan Police, and they withdrew their representations.

New Premises Licence: Sweety Cooky

The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to determine an application for a new premises licence for Sweety Cooky, 177 Junction Road, N19 5QA. The applicant has amended the application to remove off sales.

Representations were received from four local residents, the Better Archway Forum, the Metropolitan Police, and the Council’s Noise Service. Following contact from the applicant, the Noise Service and the Better Archway Forum withdrew their representations.

One local resident, however, maintained their representation, citing concerns about the potential for noise and disturbance, and the impact on their living environment.

The applicant wrote to the representors advising of the nature of the business and to address their concerns.

The Planning & Development section noted that a planning application for retrospective permission for the change of use of the premises from tattoo studio to café/bakery and restaurant is currently live, and a decision is due in the next few weeks.

Premises Licence Variation: Archway Tavern

The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence variation for the Archway Tavern, Ground Floor, 1 Navigator Square, N19 3TD. The variation application seeks to permit the Ground Floor Live Room only for prebooked private events, with:

• The sale of alcohol, on the premises, Thursdays to Saturdays, from 08:00 to 04:00, Sundays, from 08:00 to 02:00
• Late night refreshment, Thursdays to Saturdays, from 23:00 to 04:00, Sundays, from 23:00 to 02:00
• Live music, recorded music, performance of dance, films, Thursdays to Saturdays, from 08:00 to 04:00, Sundays, from 08:00 to 02:00
• Opening hours, Thursdays to Saturdays, from 08:00 to 04:30. Sundays, from 08:00 to 02:30

Representations were received from three local residents and the Metropolitan Police. The applicant has agreed to incorporate the police recommendations into the operating schedule, and the police representation has been withdrawn. The applicant wrote a letter to the representors advising of the nature of the business and to address their concerns.

The Planning & Development section noted that the building is locally listed and is located within the St Johns Grove Conservation Area.

New Premises Licence: Doppio Zero

The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to determine an application for a new premises licence at Doppio Zero, Ground Floor Cafe, 4 Gillespie Road, N5 1LN.

The premises was previously subject to a premises licence issued in February 2010, but this licence lapsed in July 2018. Licensing officers visited the premises on 13 September 2024 and found the premises selling alcohol without authorisation. A Section 19 closure notice was served on the owners, and the sale of alcohol at the venue then ceased.

A previous premises licence application by the proposed DPS³, Daniel Clark, was refused on 7 January 2025. The grounds for refusal were that the applicant has limited knowledge of the licensing regime and there is no evidence to suggest the owner has any knowledge.

The current application is now in the name of the premises owner, Mr Marco De Cristofaro.

The application is subject to eight representations from local residents. Two of these representations are opposed or partially opposed to the grant of this licence, and six representations are in support.

The item was heard on 1 April 2025, and the Licensing Committee decided to adjourn the application as they wanted clarification on several points, including the lack of a customer toilet at the venue. On 9 April 2025, the applicant confirmed that builders were removing the tent on the forecourt on 13 April 2025, and were also building a corridor access point so customers could use the toilet at the premises.

The Planning & Development section noted that the property is not a listed building nor located within a conservation area. A Certificate of Lawful Existing use was issued on 30 June 2006 for the use of the property as a fish and chip shop. A planning enforcement notice was issued on 15 November 2024 regarding the erection of a ground floor canopy extension with associated means of enclosure to the front of the property.

This week in Islington:

• The Employment and Appointments Committee appointed a shortlist of candidates for Director of Education and Achievement, and delegated authority to recommend candidates for the Audit and Risk Committee.

Employment and Appointments Committee - Thursday 17 April 2025

The Employment and Appointments Committee convened to appoint a Director of Education and Achievement, and to recommend candidates for Independent Persons for Standards and Co-Opted Members of the Audit and Risk Committee to the council. The committee approved a shortlist of candidates for the Director of Education and Achievement post, and delegated authority to Councillor Janet Burgess MBE, Carers Champion and Chair of the Committee, to recommend candidates for the Audit and Risk Committee to the council.

Appointment of Director of Education and Achievement

The committee convened to interview candidates for the position of Director of Education and Achievement. The advertised salary for the post was Grade CO2 £116,721 - £131,742. Following the interviews, the committee was asked to appoint a candidate to the post, agree on the final salary (or parameters within which the successful candidate should be offered the post), and note that any offer of employment would be subject to the completion of the Executive Notification Procedure, as per the council’s Officer Employment Procedure Rules.

The report stated that:

The appointment of a senior officer to the post will support the delivery of the council’s missions and objectives.

The appointed individual will also play a key role in supporting the delivery of the Islington Together 2030 Plan, as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Appointment of Independent Persons for Standards and Co-Opted Members of the Audit and Risk Committee

The committee considered the appointment of two candidates as Independent Persons for Standards for a four-year term, or until vacancies arise. The council is required to appoint at least one Independent Person for Standards, a statutory role under the Localism Act 2011 to advise the council on matters relating to the Member Code of Conduct. This includes reviewing complaints made against members, and deciding if members have, or may have, breached the Code of Conduct, and if those complaints should be investigated.

Nine applications were received for the roles, and interviews were conducted on 3 April 2025 by a panel including Councillor Burgess, the Chair of the Standards Committee, the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, and Councillor Diarmaid Ward, Executive Member for Finance & Performance. The panel recommended two candidates for appointment, and the committee agreed to refer the appointments to the Council for consideration, subject to references.

The Council’s Constitution states that the Audit and Risk Committee will be comprised of five councillors and two independent co-opted members. These co-opted members provide an independent and high-level focus on the audit, assurance, and reporting arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards.

Twelve applications were received for these roles. Interviews were scheduled for late April 2025, to be conducted by Councillor Burgess, the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, and Councillor Ward, with support from senior officers. The committee delegated authority to Councillor Burgess to recommend successful candidates to the Council, for the appointments to be agreed at the Annual Council meeting on 15 May 2025, subject to references.

Independent Persons for Standards are entitled to an allowance of £1,025 per annum. Co-opted members of the Audit and Risk Committee will receive £139.77 per meeting, subject to any inflationary increases awarded under the annual Local Government Pay Settlement¹.

This week in Islington:

• The Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee discussed community spaces, property licensing, the Community Partnerships Team, and housing performance.

Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee - Monday 07 April 2025

The Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee met to discuss community spaces, property licensing, the work of the Community Partnerships Team, and housing performance.

East Linton Community Centre Review

The committee reviewed draft recommendations from the scrutiny review of East Linton Community Centre. The review, which began in September, examined how the council's community spaces can best meet the needs of local communities while remaining sustainable. Councillor Ilkay Cinko-Oner, Deputy Leader of the Independent and Green Group, proposed that the council should publicise its expectations for community centres receiving funding, to maximise transparency. Rose Marie McDonald, Resident Observer, raised concerns about the cost of hiring community centres for residents, stating that prices have become unaffordable. Councillor Sheila Chapman, the Executive Member for Equalities, Communities and Inclusion, noted that hiring out spaces provides important income for community centres, but said she would take the concerns away.

Property Licensing Consultation

The committee received an update on the property licensing consultation, which began on 13 January 2025 and is due to end on 13 April 2025. The consultation focuses on: re-designating the borough-wide additional licensing scheme for a further five years, and expanding the selective licensing scheme to include nine additional wards: Barnsbury, Caledonian, Tufnell Park, Mildmay, Highbury, Junction, Laycock, Canonbury, and Clerkenwell. Karen Etheridge from MEL Research, a social research agency, presented interim findings from the consultation, noting that over 1,000 responses had been received. Councillor Paul Turpin asked about the criteria for the nine wards chosen for the selective scheme, and whether the council was being ambitious enough with the scale of the scheme. Councillor Mick Gilgunn stated his support for the scheme, and said that it was very important that the costs are not passed on to tenants.

VCS 2024 Annual Report

Councillor Chapman presented the annual report on the work of the Community Partnerships Team. Councillor Chapman noted that the voluntary community sector (VCS) has been hit by years of cuts and the cost of living crisis, while also seeing rising levels of need in the borough. She highlighted the council's core grants programme, which will provide £2.7 million a year to 51 organisations over the next four years. Councillor Turpin asked whether the council was looking at estates not run by the council, but housing associations, and how they could be brought on board. Councillor Toby North asked how other areas of the council can support the VCS, particularly the community wealth building department. Rose Marie McDonald suggested more clothing repurposing and working with an IT organisation called Merit, which gives away free computers. Councillor Michael O'Sullivan asked how to publicise the community library and men's shed at the Andover Community Centre.

Quarterly Review of Housing Performance

The committee reviewed the quarterly review of housing performance report for Quarter 3 2024/25. Matt West, Director of Housing and Property Services, highlighted the continued trend of improvement across the TSM¹ performance measures. He noted that the council has upper quartile performance for levels of decency across its homes, sitting at 4%. Dean Donaghey said that he was sick to death of the anti-social behaviour on the Andover Estate, and would like to see an improvement in that area. Councillor Gilgunn asked if the safety checks apply to temporary accommodation outside the borough. Councillor O'Sullivan asked what was causing the repairs completed figure to be low. Councillor Ilkay Cinko-Oner asked what cross-department work is being done to address ASB linked to mental health.