The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Islington Council met on Tuesday 14 July 2026 to discuss the council's corporate performance and work programme. Key discussions included the confirmation of the scrutiny topic and work programme for the upcoming year, focusing on Islington and the sense of place, and a review of the council's corporate performance for the fourth quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. The committee also received an update on the bi-annual revenue and capital budget monitoring.

Confirmation of Scrutiny Topic and Work Programme 2026-27

The committee discussed and agreed to adopt Islington and the sense of place as the overarching scrutiny topic for the year. This broad theme will allow for focused reviews on specific areas that contribute to residents' experience of the borough. Initial discussions identified three broad strands: the role of culture and arts in shaping identity and belonging, the safety and order of public spaces, and the overall experience of living and working in Islington. Members expressed a desire to explore how cultural organisations, including grassroots arts groups and community centres, can engage a wider audience and foster civic pride. The impact of fly-tipping and littering on the sense of place was also highlighted, with a focus on positive solutions and learning from best practices. The committee also considered the evening economy, with suggestions to investigate why people are not engaging more in evening activities, considering the cost of living crisis and safety concerns. The work programme will be developed further over the coming weeks, with a V2 draft to be circulated for comment.

Corporate Performance Q4 2025-26

Councillor Paul Convery, Executive Member for Finance and Performance, presented a positive overview of the council's corporate performance for the fourth quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. The report indicated that 85% of delivery plan metrics were rated green, with only one metric rated red. Key successes highlighted included improvements in school attendance rates, with primary absence falling to 5.9% and secondary absence to 8.4%. Significant progress was also noted in supporting care-experienced young people, with 48 properties offered and 59% of care leavers aged 19-21 in education, training, or employment, exceeding London and England averages.

The council has supported nearly 7,000 residents into paid work through the Islington Working Partnership, exceeding its target of 5,000. The Income Maximisation Team secured over £20 million in additional benefits for residents, surpassing the target of £12 million. Over 1,000 apprenticeships have been secured, and resident satisfaction at the Access Islington Contact Centre increased to 87%.

In housing, £236 million was invested in decent homes, fire safety, and damp and mould remediation. Temporary accommodation rates remain below London averages, and no one is in bed and breakfast emergency accommodation. The council has also planted 1,442 trees over the last two years and is on track to deliver 1.5 hectares of additional green space. The recycling rate has increased to 35.5%, largely due to the effective implementation of the food waste programme.

However, areas for improvement were also identified. Persistent absenteeism remains a challenge, particularly for children with complex needs. While 48 properties were offered to care-experienced young people, this fell short of the 97 requested. The digital service usage was below target at 42%, and only 67% of enquiries were resolved at the first point of contact. The number of households sleeping rough remained at 16, above the target of zero. The delivery of new council homes and securing planning consent for new homes were also below target.

Bi-Annual Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Update Q3 & Q4 2025-26

Councillor Paul Convery presented the bi-annual revenue and capital budget monitoring update for Q3 and Q4 of the 2025-26 financial year. He reported a well-managed budget environment, with an overall surplus of £8.5 million. This surplus was achieved despite directorate overspends of £1.74 million, which were more than offset by a corporate surplus of £2.3 million. The surplus is attributed to better-than-expected returns on investments and lower interest payments on borrowings.

The capital programme experienced some slippage and reprofiling, but no significant issues were reported. The housing revenue account also achieved a small surplus, which has been added to HRA reserves. The Dedicated School Grant (DSG) reported 14 schools in deficit, with the remainder breaking even or making small surpluses. School balances have increased by approximately £1 million to £6.8 million.

Discussions also touched upon the new finance system, which has recently gone live. While the bedding-in process is ongoing, initial reports suggest it is functioning well and is expected to improve forecasting and reporting speed. The committee was informed that Q1 reports might be less detailed as the finance team focuses on monitoring the new system.

Concerns were raised regarding the cost of a pedestrian crossing on Thorpedale Road, reported to be £100,000, which councillors found surprisingly high. The cost of the pavilion at Ray Crescent Park, estimated at £2.1 million, was also discussed, with a cost of £8,000 per square metre noted as exceptionally high. The committee also discussed the council's reserves policy and the optimal level of reserves, with a suggestion for the Audit Committee to undertake an investigative task on this matter. Finally, the issue of staffing vacancies, particularly in senior positions, was raised, with it being confirmed that this is a deliberate strategy to manage the budget, but the non-financial costs are also being considered.

The committee formally noted the reports presented.