The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Islington Council met on Thursday 17 September 2026 to discuss a range of council activities and to initiate a new scrutiny review into Place. Key discussions included updates on recycling rates, the new finance system, and the progress of the Ray Crescent Community Building project. The committee also began its in-depth examination of Place within Islington, exploring its definition, context, and how the council can foster a stronger sense of belonging and pride among residents.

Ray Crescent Community Building Project

A significant decision was made to award the contract for the new community building at Ray Crescent Open Space to T&B Contractors for £1.716 million. This project involves the demolition of the former Crooked Pavilion and the construction of a new, flexible, mixed-use community and sports building. The development will include a kitchen, fully accessible toilets, baby-changing facilities, and will be available for community groups. Beyond the building itself, the full project encompasses upgrades to the playgrounds with new equipment, new outdoor gym equipment, refurbishment of basketball courts, and improvements to picnic benches, fencing, and seating. Additionally, at least 24 new trees will be planted, with a minimum of 18 other enhanced planting schemes to boost biodiversity, alongside new wayfinding signs, history boards about Ray Crescent, and signage explaining the plants. A planning application for this project was submitted in February 2024 and granted in August 2024.

Road Safety Measures on Thorpe Dale Road

Councillor Jonathan Ward raised concerns about the value for money of a new zebra crossing on Thorpe Dale Road. Councillor Paul Convery, Executive Member for Finance, responded that the crossing was installed as part of a wider programme of road safety measures following a campaign by residents. Despite Councillor Ward's assertion that Thorpe Dale Road is not a busy road, a significant number of residents had lobbied the council due to its use as a cut-through for fast-moving traffic. The total cost of the scheme was £131,000, which included widened pavements, drainage improvements, a raised crossing to reduce vehicle speeds, upgraded street lighting, belisha beacons, and high-friction surfacing on the approach to the crossing.

Bike Hangar Usage

Councillor Talia Hussain inquired about the apparent contradiction of low bike hangar usage (65%) alongside anecdotal waiting lists for spaces. Councillor Convery stated he was awaiting further information on the waiting list but noted that the current administrative system for managing hangars and user requests is paper-based and cumbersome. He has requested that digital services investigate the feasibility of providing an online channel for users and a digitised administrative system.

Scrutiny Initiation: Place

The committee initiated a scrutiny review into the concept of Place within Islington. Caroline Wilson, Director of Inclusive Economy, presented an introductory document defining place shaping and placemaking as strategies to support vibrant and sustainable communities, considering social and economic factors. The discussion highlighted Islington's demographic profile, including a significant population of young adults aged 20-39, an ageing population, and its ethnic diversity. The borough's economic landscape was also discussed, noting its status as the fastest-growing economy in London, with a high concentration of jobs in managerial and professional roles, leading to a significant pay gap. The presentation also detailed Islington's four town centres: Angel, Nags Head, Finsbury Park, and Archway, and the role of Local Economy Officers in supporting small businesses within these areas.

The committee engaged in a lengthy discussion about how to best gather evidence and resident feedback for this scrutiny. Suggestions included:

• Civic Pride: Councillor Sheridan Kates suggested measuring the success of place shaping through residents' feelings of civic pride, ownership, and belonging.
• Resident Voice: Various councillors emphasized the need for genuine resident engagement, proposing methods such as engaging with small businesses, community groups, schools, universities, and individuals with varying abilities. Ideas included creating an ideas board or a dedicated email address for submissions, and potentially conducting vox pop style feedback sessions in town centres.
• Economic Data: Councillor Kates requested a breakdown of economic growth figures to understand the contribution of financial services versus inclusive growth.
• Cooperatives and Alternative Business Models: Councillor Kates highlighted the importance of cooperatives in Islington's economy and suggested their inclusion in the scrutiny.
• Town Centre Challenges: Councillor Jonathan Ward raised concerns about safety and social behaviour in town centres like Finsbury Park and Nags Head, particularly relating to drug use and a general feeling of unsafety, emphasizing the need to address these issues alongside positive place-making efforts.
• Youth Engagement: The potential for input from the Islington Youth Council was also raised.
• Comparison with Other Boroughs: Councillor Hannah McHugh suggested looking at how other councils invest in place-making and identifying potential external funding sources.
• Public Space Governance: Councillor Fin Craig raised concerns about public spaces being policed by private security and the potential for development language to displace certain communities.

The committee agreed to the Scrutiny Initiation Document (SID) for the Place review, with a provisional date to report back to the Executive by April of the following year.

Other Matters

• Recycling Rates: The recycling rate in Islington has increased to 36%, up from 30% which had been consistent since 2010.
• New Finance System: The council has implemented a new finance management system from OneTechnology, which went live in July and is reportedly progressing well, with no issues identified with income receipts or payment runs.
• Bike Hangars: The administrative system for bike hangars is paper-based and cumbersome, prompting a review by digital services to explore digitisation.