The Executive of Islington Council met on Thursday 17 September 2026, approving recommendations across financial risk monitoring, proposed new tenancy conditions, and responses to various scrutiny reviews. Key decisions included authorising a settlement agreement, commencing a statutory consultation on updated tenancy conditions, and agreeing responses to reviews on new build homes, financial resilience, progressive procurement, and improving healthy life expectancy.

Q1 Financial Risk Monitor 2026-27

The Executive noted the Q1 Financial Risk Monitor for 2026/27, which highlighted key financial risks, forecast pressures, and mitigating actions. A settlement agreement was authorised, with authority delegated to the Corporate Director of Health and Social Care, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Executive Member for Finance, to finalise its terms. The report indicated a projected net £2.2 million overspend by year-end, primarily driven by pressures in children's services, Community Wealth Building, and homes and neighbourhoods, partially offset by corporate savings. Councillor Sheila Chapman, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Families, assured the Executive that management actions were being taken to mitigate the overspend in children's services, including exploring the possibility of establishing the council's own family home-style residential settings. Councillor Paul Convery, Executive Member for Finance, also noted an underspend in corporate items, which would have been larger but for a provision made for the national local government pay settlement.

Consultation on Proposed New Tenancy Conditions

The Executive agreed to commence a sixteen-week statutory consultation with all Islington Council tenants on proposed changes to the Tenancy Conditions. These changes aim to update, clarify, and strengthen conditions in response to legislative changes, building and fire safety duties, emerging risks such as lithium-ion battery safety, and the inappropriate use of council homes for commercial purposes. Councillor Jason Jackson, Executive Member for Homes & Neighbourhoods, emphasised that this was a consultation and not a final decision, highlighting the extensive engagement planned, including drop-in sessions and direct communications. Concerns were raised by councillors regarding the clarity of wording on household rubbish and recycling, and specifically about the risks associated with charging e-bikes and e-scooters, with a request for close consultation with the London Fire Brigade on these matters. The Executive delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Community Wealth Building, in consultation with Councillor Jackson, to consider consultation responses and approve the final notice of variation. Tenants will receive a further eight-week notification period before any new conditions are enforced.

Response to Housing Scrutiny Review - New Build Homes May 2024

The Executive agreed the council's responses to the recommendations made by the Housing Scrutiny Committee regarding the New Build Homes Programme. Councillor Jason Jackson, Executive Member for Homes & Neighbourhoods, presented the report, which detailed actions taken to improve the council's capacity, skills, and resources for delivering new homes, explore alternative funding and delivery models, enhance resident engagement, strengthen governance, and consider taller buildings and modern methods of construction. The report highlighted the ongoing procurement of a developer partner for council-owned sites and the acquisition of new homes for social rent. The Executive welcomed the focus on delivering well-designed, sustainable, and affordable homes, with a particular emphasis on family-sized accommodation and meaningful resident engagement.

Response to Overview and Scrutiny Committee Review - Financial Resilience

The Executive agreed the council's response to the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's review of Financial Resilience. Councillor James Potts, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Planning, introduced the report, which detailed actions to improve support for residents facing long-term poverty and inequality. Key initiatives include expanding outreach services, strengthening partnerships with the voluntary and community sector, improving communication and accessibility of support, and using data to target interventions. The report also noted the upcoming launch of the Poverty Truth Commission and ongoing research into the financial benefits of income maximisation support. The council has accepted all scrutiny recommendations and is already implementing many of the proposed actions.

Response to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Progressive Procurement

The Executive welcomed the findings of the review into Supporting Islington's Communities Through Progressive Procurement and agreed the council's responses to the committee's recommendations. A key outcome was the approval of the council's first Social Value Statement, which aims to embed social value into all commissioning and procurement activities. Councillor Potts highlighted the commitment to working with suppliers who share the council's values and to ensuring that procurement spend delivers maximum benefit for residents, communities, and local businesses. The report detailed plans to embed social value across departments, strengthen governance arrangements, develop a bank of 'asks' reflecting community needs, and promote the benefits of social value delivery.

Response to Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee - Improving Healthy Life Expectancy in Islington

The Executive welcomed the findings of the Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee's review on improving healthy life expectancy in Islington and agreed the council's responses to the committee's recommendations. Councillor Ruth Hayes, Executive Member for Health & Social Care and Deputy Leader of the Council, presented the report, which outlines actions to tackle inequalities in life expectancy, strengthen data and insight for targeting interventions, reduce preventable mortality, improve early identification and management of long-term conditions, embed a 'Health in All Policies' approach, support healthy weight and food environments, address smoking and vaping risks, strengthen preparedness for synthetic opioid threats, and enhance community insight and engagement. The report also endorsed the life-course approach taken in Islington's new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Officers will report progress back to the Scrutiny Committee at an agreed time.