Transcript

for the Mayor of Islington Oh, sorry Warm welcome to all councillors and to all guests Thank you very much for being here this evening So, let me start with item one Minutes Could we please agree the minutes of the previous meeting? Yes Marvellous Okay, item two Mayoral Announcements First of all, we have apologies for absence from Councillor McHugh, Docker, Turan, Nathan, Wayne and Gilgan We also have apologies for lateness from councillors Gil and Burgess Declarations of interest Are there any interest to declare? Okay As there were none So, thank you C The order of business The order of business will be as per the agenda There will be a short adjournment during the meeting after the appointment of the new Mayor At this stage please could I also remind all attendees that this meeting is being webcast live on the Council's website So, let me tell you my announcement Since the last full council, I have been deeply moved by the opportunity to help mark some significant national and cultural moments One especially meaningful moment was the 80th anniversary of the E.E. Day This milestone was commemorated with gatherings across the borough at the Town Hall, Islington Green in care homes and with a wonderful beacon lighting at Dartmouth Park It's likely to be the last major anniversary attended by those who remember the end of the Second World War making each event a particularly poignant act of remembrance Back in March, I also took part in the COVID-19 Day of Reflection marking five years since the beginning of the pandemic This was also another powerful moment as we came together to honour those we lost to COVID and to recognise everyone who contributed to our borough's pandemic response In recent months, I have also raised flags for St. David's Day, St. Patrick's Day and St. George's Day During Ramadan, I was delighted to attend a number of iftar meals hosted by organisations including the Dialogue Society and Fringery Park Mosque as well as by our very own Councillor Pandor Thank you, thank you I also got to join in the Noru Spring Festival celebration here at the Town Hall I helped mark International Women's Day alongside various community groups which was particularly special with the Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women's Organisation who were celebrating their successful completion of the Afghan Refugees Resettlement Programme and a particularly joyous part of my calendar I mean, I've enjoyed it all, right? But anyway, that's going off script has been fundraising and support of Brickworks Community Centre which has been my charity of the year We hosted a wonderful fundraising dinner at the Brickworks with delicious food generously provided by the team at Morrow Restaurant We also enjoyed a guided tour of the historic Chart House which was really fascinating and honestly hosting the Mayor's Civic Awards and Ben Kinsella Awards evening in March was a real highlight to me because it shone a light on individuals and groups who go above and beyond to make Islington a better place for everyone and I was especially pleased to introduce a new award this year the Lifetime Achievement Award celebrating long-standing service and dedication to our community to our wonderful community This has all been incredibly rewarding and I've thoroughly enjoyed these last few months of my Mayoral Year But now we move on to Item 3 and the Leader of Announcements Councillor Halloran, would you like to speak? Thank you, Madam Mayor I'd like to say a big thank you as this term of your Mayoral Year you have brought so much vibrancy and joy to this role you have worked so hard to be our first citizen of the borough strengthen relationships with local community partners also while raising awareness of the brilliant work delivered by Brickworks Community Centre you've shown support for such important causes such as MS awareness and embodied the diversity of Islington at community events iftis, flag raising, supporting our armed forces and celebrating our young people but most of all through this year you've brought laughter at every single chamber meeting in this chamber with your cheers of woo-woo can we all give her a woo-woo woo-woo I am delighted to welcome Councillor Jackson as Mayor for his coming year and I'm even more excited for the Nigerian and Italian fusion that we will be having after so we'll give a big cheer for the Nigerians but also don't leave out the Italians or the missus will be after me every year our Mayors bring uniqueness to the role and I know Councillor Jackson you will continue with this tradition I can already see why the one dress attire tonight Madam Mayor this is my first year as leader and I'm proud to stand here and I just want to say a few things that we've done this year we've transformed our waste recycling centre which was once the most polluting building to now having new cutting edge eco-friendly equipment ending the centre's reliance on gas we've expanded our landlord's licensing scheme protecting private renters from rogue landlords maintained our reputation of the top inner London boroughs for healthy streets for the fourth year in a row we've won 18 green flag awards for our council-run green spaces and community centres our youth justice was held as outstanding by His Majesty's Inspector's probation our youth justice service our children's service was also rated outstanding making us only one of four boroughs to hold the top rating under the recently changed inspected framework we've purchased 466 ex-rights-advised properties we've returned 78 council properties back into the housing stock due to the work that we're doing to stop fraud in our borough we've opened our landmark black cultural centre delivered a balanced budget that continues to protect frontline and needed services and we've also delivered high quality housing for residents on the Andover estate we've launched a pioneering community-led cafe at Jean Stokes Community Centre tackling food waste and providing affordable and sustainable meals for residents as is Linton our five missions are child-friendly community wealth building empowering people a safe place to call home a greener and healthier and we will continue to make our borough more equal to a place to live at London councils I've been working with other council leaders urging the government to use the spending review to deliver much-needed investment into local services after 14 years of underfunding and interdibility Madam Mayor we will continue to ensure we hold the government to account to ensure the voices of Islington residents are heard their needs are met we are Islington Labour thank you Madam Mayor thank you Councillor Hamdash would you like to respond thank you Madam Mayor I just want to start by thanking you for the last year I think you started your term with a bang or a drum actually and from that moment you've brought joy and enthusiasm and passion at every corner you've demonstrated I think your value of inclusion at the beginning that you know everyone can see themselves in that seat you've played a big part of that so thank you massively it's been a joy clap really excited as well to see what the new mayor does again everyone brings their own passion their own joy and I can already see the beginning of that so we'll see you in that chamber and we'll see you at the seat the words of seat but really excited as well so thank you so I was looking back at the minute of the previous annual council and reflecting how much has happened in a year a new government the terrifying rise of Farage another year of genocide in Gaza and Sudan politics rarely moves slowly these days frequently right now not for the better of course in this job we speak to a lot of people and all too often these days I'm hearing too much fear and too much anger and not enough hope trans people terrified by what the supreme court ruling means for them migrants horrified by Keir Starmer's island of strangers rhetoric pensioners struggling with the winter fuel allowance and disabled people deeply troubled by any proposed cuts people are scared disappointed and rightfully angry we as the political class have to do better pride in Islington civic space has frequently been focused on being a fortress of inclusion progressiveness and community and I think we see a lot of that in the chamber today when it feels like too many corners of society are under attack we need this borough to shine brighter than ever our leaders to be louder than ever to be brave whatever the consequence we are the borough of the first pride protest of Newington Green's free thinking and fight for religious freedom the first place to elect a South Asian MP campaigners and activists who are frequently fighting the tide of political and public opinion we can learn a lot from our history that however we fight this fight we have to be loud and we have to be proud that's what our residents want and deserve they want politicians who will champion the values they see exhibited every day from neighbour to neighbour community to community in this borough of ours the alternative is more influence and power for a political party that seeks to undermine and corrode those values you know people best by their actions and their actions are clear reform's first steps were to ban flags attack equality and scrap climate action today and tomorrow threatened in a sweep and we will be foolish to pretend there is no chance of reform rising their head locally we have to focus and we have to address the cause and that starts with making better the material conditions of the working class Islington deserves better than what our government is giving us right now we now move to item 4 Councillor Craig I understand you would like to say a few words I don't know your answer indeed I would thank you so Anne or Madam Mayor as we've become accustomed to calling you I knew from the moment you danced into the council chamber preceded by a drummer that you were going to be an absolutely amazing mayor and you have surpassed my expectations you've been brilliant you've diligently carried out all your duties with a huge emphasis on community inclusion and especially fun you've approached everything with equal enthusiasm and importance whether it's been a garden party at Bucklingham Palace or the underside storytelling at a local library you've also made so many connections with local residents and I've seen how much you enjoy listening to people and hearing their stories and just learning more about them I think you've approached everything with kindness with calmness and with humility and I have loved being your consort on occasion particularly the last one when I don't think I've laughed so much for such a long time I thought our matching outfits then were great unintentional but it worked a surprise for me this year has been finding out from the numerous festivals and events you've attended just how much you like to dance and your range of style and moods this has included the Spring Your Step T dance dancing with Morris dancers in Gillespie Park dancing with the Gunnasaurus almost everywhere in Islington and at any opportunity and pretty much dancing any time anyone put music on and your singing talents or I should say probably musical talents have not gone unnoticed a highlight of which must have been your performance of the Anfield rap on stage at Sol in the City on the Andover Estate I felt that was a particularly brave choice given the proximity to the Arsenal Stadium but what it showed is that you're someone who stays true to your beliefs and you're not afraid to express them regardless of personal cost I also want to add my personal thanks to you for the introduction of a toilet break during council meetings it's something from which many of us have benefited in an interview you did last year about being mayor you said with I think an air of disbelief here I am brown disabled a woman and quite short and I'm your mayor when I put on the robes it's like a superpower well tonight Ange the robes are coming off but guess what a bit of good news they don't actually have a superpower that superpower is all you thank you for sharing your superpower with us this past year and may it continue to grow long after the robes have come off thank you councillor staff I believe you would like to speak thank you madam mayor and my friend it's quite hard to give a thanks when it's somebody who has become a sister and a friend and I know that my brother my fellow ward councillor councillor would have loved to have been here but he has a personal issue in Turkey he had to attend to when you came in he said that you were someone that emboldened integrity that you were somebody that understood equality and that you were able to reach across divides and I absolutely echo that from being your consort on multiple times the way you have reached across we went to a refugee awards and just the way you were with people the amount of people that came stood with Ange wanted the photo to get their award and to have that picture taken just your ability to connect is as Finn has just said a superpower I felt like a robin to your Batman in that moment you are brilliant you are funny you're fantastic and you've worn those robes so so well and you've also shared the way you've brought people in to be your consort the way you've used councillors in this chamber to reach those communities and to use their expertise one of my favourite moments with you was at the refugee and migrants Christmas party where we both stood up and you threw me into the limelight to make a speech I'd not prepared for but we both had to juggle with a very temperamental microphone and particularly the microphone sound that kept collapsing you have an absolute ability to have patience where I was cracking up and trying really hard not to laugh you were able to maintain decorum and for that I think you need an award as well within that and also raffles you are absolutely brilliant at being able to pull out multiple tickets over and over again despite no one winning them and being able to shout very loudly for our population that needed to get their raffle ticket and also being able to divvy out the chocolates and still leave some for myself which I was very very grateful for but it has been a complete honour now every mayor needs a catchphrase and yours have absolutely been marvellous in fact everywhere I go now I'm using the word marvellous and I'm giving myself away here because I'm a little bit of a Trekkie but every captain of a starship needs a catchphrase and they need to say make it so engage punch it so yours was definitely marvellous right there and I look forward to hearing what Jason what your catchphrase will be will it be a marvellous will it be a punch it will it be an engage or will it be shiny red shoes that councillor Gary Heather wore so well as mayor through his tenure I think we're about to find out but all we can say and just thank you so much you have been an amazing friend a brilliant mayor and you've brought great dignity to this role thank you sorry mother mayor I forgot the one formal bit I was supposed to do which is to hand over to the leader for the presentation of badges thank you oh it's on now okay sorry sorry sorry you'd think I'd know right it's been a year but thank you everybody for your really kind wonderful words it's like yeah honestly like yeah I know it sounds a bit pathetic but today I have been fighting back the like tears I don't and I'm not really that sort of person generally but anyway listen I wanted to say actually this is probably not exactly my it's not the right time but just I'm so pleased to see so many of Jason's family my deputy family here today I feel like I feel the love in the room and like this is going to be amazing I'm so happy that I'm passing over to Councillor Jackson but I will first of all I will do a thank you speech of my own just want to say like thank you councillors for these hard words obviously when I was 17 I got which was you know just a few years ago I got accepted for a place at university and my first hall of residence was in actually in this borough on Rosebury Avenue and my sister agreed to drop me off driving me down from rugby down the M1 down the A1 and to my new life when I came over that crest of that hill Highgate hill and saw Edlington before me I never imagined that I would one day be like Doldie Wilson in Back to Future that I'd be able to say wait and see Mr. Brothers one day I'll be mayor anyway sorry 80s films right ever since then whenever I come over that hill and see that view I breathe a big sigh of relief and joy because it just means that I'm home I don't need to walk down Holloway Road to know why Dick Whittington turned around this is an amazing city it's an amazing borough particularly an amazing borough and anyway I'm aware that I'm not saying anything new or surprising being mayor of Islington has been an honour a privilege and a remarkable experience and as has been referenced earlier some might even use the word marvellous anyway I have tried to build on the connections and built like strengthen the connections across our incredible community being mayor gives you a really unique perspective it's you're invited into places that you don't often see that like you don't and you realise that there's a whole ecosystem of care and connection and community that most of us walk past every day without knowing it's there and the size and the depth of our community of our voluntary community and faith sector I've witnessed this year is just astonishing there's so much warmth and kindness and solidarity here and my message for the year at the beginning was everyone is welcome in Nislington and I have tried to reflect that in everything I've done a mare that anyone could talk to dance with and eat with I've heard a lot of people sorry guys everybody that I've hugged just you know I've sung and I've danced at the Kelly Festival White Cross Street Festival Gillespie Park switched on Christmas lights celebrated Eid Hanukkah Christmas and I've seen and been part of it everywhere disabled residents swimming with We Swim healthy minds healthy bods walking together around hybrid fields students at St George's University organising cross-community iftars so many people offer their time their skills their food their hugs and their humour and whatever they have to give not for recognition or status but just getting on with it and just making Islington the wonderful place that it is listen we're not an island of strangers we are a community of friends and nowhere embodies that any more than my chosen charity Brickwork Community Centre I suspect everyone in this chamber has at some point met Colin he Caroline and all their other staff and volunteers and users embody everything that's best about Islington we have such a vibrant community centre network here in Islington and it's so important that we remember how much difference they make in our borough there's been so much joy and laughter this year but also plenty of real conversations in this chamber I hosted a panel for South Asian Heritage Month I have also shared my experience of living with multiple sclerosis alongside an Olympian okay yes she's like an Olympian during MS Awareness Week and these moments of honesty and connection amongst so many others have meant so much to me but I have not done this amazing year alone and I have so many people to thank I have to start with Miki you've been an amazing consort I'm sure you'll be glad that I'll no longer be able to make my little joke about you being the Camilla to my child but if I haven't said it enough over the year thank you I appreciate you so much your encouragement your engagement and your wit has provided the support I needed to achieve so so much and I have been incredibly fortunate to have been aided by many other consorts over the year as well including my amazing niece Keira my wonderful friend Ali they're both here tonight that's why I'm doing the hand gestures my mum my sister and my friends Claire Anna John Charlie Janie as well as counsellors Teran Candle Staff Craig Champion Zamet O'Halloran Ngongo Chowdhury Gunru Wolf Ostermere Convery I don't know can I carry on like Galahar like Bosman Kwashi where are you yeah her too and I must give a really big shout out for my fellow Tollinson councillors councillor who have really picked up the slats while I've been so busy being like you know famous and to the deputy mayor councillor jackson thank you for the laughs for the jokes and all the times you've stepped up for me I really appreciate it and I am really looking forward to taking the mayoralty onward and upwards whoop whoop huge thanks to you all honestly like really amazing thank you for the diligence of the mayor's office Ali Aisling Janet your help and your guidance and reassurance has been fundamental in me getting through this year and doing it so marvellously sir son you're there are no words to properly express my gratitude and love for you and to our representative deputy lieutenant mr. Paul Herbage it's been a pleasure to get to know you and to serve alongside you so thank you and also to the many LBI staff members themselves included democratic services obviously but I have to say especially the facilities and the reception teams they just always made me feel so welcome with big smiles and helping me whenever with whatever I needed thank you so much for all your support everybody and thank you Islington for your warmth your honesty your humour and your hugs it's been the honour of my life to serve as your mayor but I just before we go have to do this because I haven't done it before right now I have to move on to the boring stuff and item five to a let oh that's not boring actually this is sorry right to elect the mayor for the ensuing municipal year councillor ibrahim i understand you wish to make a nomination for the mayor for 25 26 i do indeed and thank you madam mayor so i know politicians shouldn't use words like historic lightly but tonight we are making history here today councillor jackson will be the first black man to be mayor of islington jason your name will be etched into history you are islington history and it's fantastic to be here with such distinguished guests and well-dressed company i even made an effort myself and jason's family have travelled far and wide to be here tonight and look how full this chamber is and i know that there are people watching in nearby rooms as well and that is such a testament to how loved jason is now on to the man himself my colleague my friend my brother jason is kind he's intelligent he's funny he is sorry jason i can't read your hand right what else did you want to say about you seriously having both been elected in 2021 i'm proud to have walked side by side with jason and begin our journey here together we are two black men elected together stepping into spaces that weren't ever built for us but did that stop jason no it didn't within a year of joining the council he became chair of our housing committee within three years he became deputy mayor within four he's about to become mayor i really think the prime minister should watch his back because it looks like he's got his eyes on down the street but that's one thing i admire about jason his clarity of vision and his unwavering sense of purpose which will stand him in good stead as our mayor genuinely he just does not take no for an answer and whilst many of you will know jason in his role as counsellor i know the role that he takes most pride in and he takes most seriously and that is being a husband to tatiana and being a father to caleb joshua and elijah who are here with us this evening i just want to say to you i'm so proud of what you've achieved you are a formidable counsellor you are a loving father you are a doting husband and you are a dear close friend to me and i know you will take your duty as the first citizen of our borough seriously and i cannot wait to have a front row seat as you move with passion and purpose and pride and as you leave your mark not just for the next year but as you continue to make history i give you our next mayor of islington councillor jason jackson thank you for that thank you and councillor hives would you like to second thank you madam it's a great privilege to follow councillor ibrahim's excellent endorsement of our wonderful colleague and friend councillor jason jackson and formally second councillor jackson's nomination as mayor thank you so jason and i our relationships got off to an inauspicious start we found ourselves in the same constituency labour party bright eyed we were bushy tailed wanted to get things done get involved and do more councillor jackson was the bame officer and i was in a similarly important role of the social media officer anywho i've always been passionate about helping women and people from diverse backgrounds to represent us as elected politicians so while i was speaking to the women and organising canvassing sessions and events i was trying to communicate with jason jackson about how we might work together to improve the diversity of our elected members but i received nothing back not a peep not a word and despite many more enthusiastic attempts to work together i was thwarted but luckily jason as you can tell by me mentioning this a decade later i don't hold grudges fortunately though that wasn't the end of the story far forward to 2021 when jason was elected in a by-election winning convincingly in holloway ward the next door ward i represent caledonian ward he was and is an ambitious and able councillor he very quickly became viewed by many as a leader within our labour group and after a year of getting to grips with council of business as councillor ibram mentioned he became a chair of a scrutiny and i was chief whip and asked him to join the wix team as deputy whip and i was delighted when he said yes so during that time of working together much more closely and since i've had the privilege of getting to know councillor jackson and what makes him tick a little bit better i have learned to love jason's i mean let's just call it his enigmatic style and now i often just say to him i'm really sorry jason what you're actually saying but i have valued your wisdom in our work repeatedly and there have been difficult decisions to make there have been complex considerations and weighty matters but in all this councillor jackson you have been fair-minded a man of integrity a man of your word a man of deep value a man who prizes his faith and his family and strives to live in a way that honours both of these and what i love about our borough is this on the face of it councillor jackson and i have very little in common jason is an entrepreneur and businessman i've worked in the arts and prisons he i mean somewhat inexplicably supports manchester united i have more local tastes he loves soul music and i love cheesy pop floor fillers and solid gold bangers but we both found our forever homes in this borough islington so even though some of us started life all the way over in south london here we both are now and on this diverse and brilliant island in this diverse and brilliant borough we have found common cause we have worked together through this islington labour council to serve our residents to alleviate poverty to tackle inequality and to create a place where you can excel and thrive whatever your background because we love people and because our residents matter and because life is so very precious and no one should be trampled on or forgotten about no one's potential should be wasted and i know that councillor jackson holds dear the innate value of every human life and will treat all residents with kindness and respect throughout your mayoral year jason you are the best of us may your wisdom integrity and compassion steer you through this year would you receive everything that you need to serve our residents well god bless you mr mayor you've got this i believe councillor weeks would like to speak yes madam mayor thank you well how do i follow councillor hyde and councillor ibrahim i shouldn't have gone last i tried to go first but something happened i just want to say thank you to councillor ibrahim and councillor hyde for what you just said about councillor jason jackson some of which i'll cover in my own speech but i just want to say it's absolute pleasure and delight to speak as we elect councillor jason jackson as mayor for one year and after with that become the first citizen of the borough jackson you are my comrade a great person and i value our friendship dearly i'm glad this day has finally come because i'm aware you've waited for about three you always appear when the time is right just look at all the excellent things you've achieved as a councillor while you've been waiting for this moment this includes driving and delivering the pioneering black men and mental health project several holloway ward improvement projects and all the incredible work you've achieved on the chair of homes and scrutiny committee as councillor ward and the leader will attest to with all the reviews that he carried out and all the residents will thank you for to those in the chamber tonight who may not be aware jason and i go back a very long way so we started off on the same team as elected officers at london met students union i think jason was a bit wary of me when we first started off that took us nationwide and even to various conferences up and down the country to labour conferences campaigning nationwide even watching the baseball and attending wimbledon together we don't watch football together because he supports the other team in red and i support the best team in red down the road i'm sorry i have to interrupt and say there is no other team and we just won the prime minister i know i know just saying i know i know um fast forward a few years and then we got elected as part of a fab five along with councillor north ibrahim and boshman kwashi friends the reason why i mention this is because our base for a long-standing apprenticeship i can say with confidence i know that jackson will take to the role very well and shape it in his very own way i know you'll carry out the key responsibilities of civic representation chairing council meetings community engagement hosting duties and promoting the council with excellent service and you'll carry you'll carry out these duties with traits that embody that you always have so that is being caring as councillor ibrahim said selflessness and patience so i've had first-hand experience of your caring and selfless side so i'll never forget when you informed me that the very reason why i can give this speech tonight appeared so you called me on that friday morning and you said bro there isn't going to be one by election there isn't going to be two by elections there's going to be five and it's mildly and you should stand and why i say that because he had already been selected and he was ready to fire his seat in holloway but he looked out for me and said you know he said you should stand yeah because after there is a proverb that said i guess so sorry i lost words if you want to go fast they say go alone if you want to go far and then go together and that's what councillor jackson and i do along with councillor ibrahim as well and once we were going to the baseball and we saw that yeah because after pictures on a wall and we said yeah that's us so as i said i said it to jasmine earlier so we started off at london met and you know not where we are many years later so regarding the patience i've seen first hand how patient he is with his boys khalib elijah and the i think he has our friend joshua no matter what he's doing or wherever he is also with tatiana so as a mayor you have to display integrity impartiality have strong communication skills dignity presence approachability and warmth community awareness leadership as councillor hyatt said you know and cultural sensitivity jackson you have nothing to worry about because you have all of these qualities and more so you are caring concerned for the welfare of others at and up your giving nature is already showing for you because you've selected isn't giving as your charity for one year so you are comfortable with the locals in naples and you are you have also come to in the motherland of nigeria and this quality will serve you as a citizen ceremonies and other hosting duties also you're a great module to your boys and others in the community as i can attest to so as i close two fun facts about jackson he won't mind me saying he loves nature and plants so if he's tending to his plants please leave him in peace and don't as i always find out don't disturb him before he's had his morning cocking so as i close jackson you chose to settle in london specifically islington and make it your home with your family and i know you love islington and i know islington will show you the love in your role for the next year and good luck with the next municipal year my friends and after you'll smash it thank you very much for all of those speeches i think maybe people like this councillors can i ask are we all in favour of the nomination agreed okay well in which case i declare councillor jackson to be elected as mayor for london borough of islington for 2025 26 congratulations congratulations i wish you all the very best for your year as mayor one more whoop whoop ladies and gentlemen could i just have your attention a moment just so that you know there will be a 15 minute break i was born by the river in a little tent oh and just like the river i've been running every since it's been a long a long time coming but i know a change gonna come oh yes it will it's been too hard to live but i'm afraid to die i don't know what's up there beyond the sky it's been a long a long time coming but i know a change gonna come oh yes it will i go i go to the movie and i go downtown somebody keep telling me don't councillors and honored guests if you're able please be upstanding for he's worshipped the mayor a long time a long time coming but i know a change gonna come oh yes it will then i go to my brother and i say brother help me please but he winds up please please be seated i jason jackson have been elected to the office of the mayor for the london borough clislington hereby declare that i take this third office upon myself and would duly and faithfully fulfill the duties and therefore accordingly to the best judgment and ability i am now going to sign the acceptance of office please could i ask councillor abrian and councillor wicks to come forward and witness the signing thank you Thank you. I appoint Tatiana Jackson as my country. Thank you. My fellow councillors, honoured guests, friends, family and most importantly the people of East Linton. Before I say anything else, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks and admiration to Councillor Corona, our outgoing Mayor. Over the past years, I've watched her lead with grace, humility, unwavering dedication. I've seen how tirelessly she has served the borough, attending events, uplifting unheard voice, shining a light on those who often go unseen. Her support for Brickwork Community Centre, her mayoral charity, has been nothing short of inspiring. She has shown us how a mayor can use their platform to lift the community. And I intend to continue in that spirit. Councillor Corona, thank you for your service, compassion and legacy. You've set the bar high. I'm honoured to follow in your footsteps. Can we just appreciate it one more time? Thank you. I have to move my seat forward, please. Firstly, I'm deeply humbled, profoundly grateful and incredibly proud to accept the honour of serving as a mayor of this extraordinary borough for the 2025-2026. This moment is not just a personal milestone. It is a collective celebration. A celebration of who we are, a celebration of how far we've come, a celebration of what becomes possible when people are seen, supported and given a chance to leave. We are not simply turning a page. We are writing a new chapter. One grounded in hope, driven by purpose and powered by unity. Because we are Eastlington. And in Eastlington, no one gets left behind. My journey like so many stories in this borough began far away from here. I was born in a small village called Ika, in Akwaibom State, in Nigeria. One of six children in a household where we didn't have much immaterial wealth. Where we were rich in the things that matter most. Faith, family, discipline and a deep-rooted belief in serving something greater than ourselves. In 1995, I arrived in the UK at the age of 13, full of dreams, questions and untapped potentials. I landed in Longside, Manchester. And I learned two very quickly important lessons. First, Manchester United is and forever will be the greatest football club in the world. Yes, I know. I am surrounded by Arsenal fans now. I've learned to respect their passion, history, internal optimism. I've even got a soft spot for Arsenal. Don't tell anyone. However, watching our outgoing male team recent success gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, some of that luck will rub off and help United win the European League next week. We live in hope. Secondly, what I've learned when I landed in Manchester, that even as an outsider, if you work hard, stay true to who you are and hold fast to hope you can build a future worth fighting for. My journey brought me to London, several places, Hackney, Norfolk, Westminster, Dagenham, Brixton. Storing for another day. And eventually, to Holloway. And it was here in East Linton that I found not just a home, but a community. A place that gave me a space to grow. A place that believed in me before I fully believed in myself. None of this would be possible without my family. The anchors of my life. I met my wife, Tatiana, 2001, I think. And somehow, against all odds and all my quirks, she's stuck with me ever since. I am a lot, I'll be honest. A full-time job. Possibly a couple of shifts on the weekend too. And yet, she never withered. She being my partner, my sounding board, my best friend, and the heart of our home, Tatiana, Maris, thank you for every late night, every sacrifice, every time you laugh, when you really wanted to scream. I love you, with all that I am. And again, I say, I am a lot. Together, we've raised three incredible boys, or rather, shall I say, three young men. Fatherhood has been the most humbling and hopeful role. He taught me how to lead with empathy, listen with my heart, and negotiate with teenagers, which should probably be qualified as a diplomatic skill. To my sons, Joshua, Caleb, Caleb, Elijah, you are my greatest pride. You carry the future with grace and greed, and I believe in you more than you can even imagine. To my father and mother, who are here today, you believed in me, though, through every twist and turn, I made many sacrifices when I was a child. Even when I pushed every boundary, you never stopped praying, guiding, or loving me. Your faith was a seed, and today, by God's grace, it has bloomed. But this journey hasn't been walked alone. To my siblings and wider family, you have carried me more ways than I can count. And to those who stepped in as parental figures, some of you are here today. When I arrived in the UK as a teenage boy, my aunties, my uncles, mentors, and even neighbors. You didn't just open your doors, you opened your heart. You were the safety net where home was far away. And to my friends, especially the ones who have been with me since the very beginning. Thank you for believing in me, and believing in the dream, when it was still a whisper. Gotta get used to the gloves tonight. To my closeness circle, my brothers and sisters that I've chosen along the way, thank you for your prayers, patience, brutal honesty, and unwavering support. You've been my compass in the cares. And to my family and friends again, who have traveled from near and far from Nigeria, Italy, America, my friend Christa from India, and other parts of the world, thank you. Your presence here today humbles me. It reminds me that this woman is not mine alone. It belongs to all of us. I'm here because of your love, because of your belief, because you never let me forget where I came from. Or who I was becoming. So today, as I wear this memory chain, I wear them in your honor. As a symbol not of power, but of the people who powered this journey. And thank you for raising me, standing by me, and walking with me. To my fellow Holloway ward councillors, Councillor Dermot Ward, and Councillor Claire Zameth, thank you. Working with you both is one of the greatest joys of my public life. We are more than colleagues. We are teammates, and in many ways a chosen family. Your humour, insights, patience, especially when I go off script, have kept me grounded, and energised. For those who know me well, you would know that my faith has always been central to my life. It was my faith that taught me leadership is service. That true greatness is not found in titles or statutes, but in sacrifice. In compassion, and in how we show up for others when no one is watching. That belief has shaped every step of this joining, and it remains a compass that guards my heart as I take on this role. As a proud son of an Africa, an African continent, I carry with me the strength of a global community. The resilience of the diaspora, found in our story, songs and struggles, is reflected right here in Eastlington. It lives in every parent working three jobs for their children's dream. Every young person daring to be different, and every neighbour holding to hope. We are part of something bigger, and we are stronger because of it. I didn't start in politics to wear chains and ropes. I started in politics because I wanted to make a change. As a student president, as an organiser, as someone who challenged the system because before I joined them, I know what it means to feel unheard. And I know what it takes to raise your voice anywhere. Politics, at its best, is an act of love for your community, for justice, for the people who can't always fight for themselves. That's why I'm here, not for the recognition, but for the responsibility. Eastlington is more than a borough. It is a story written in many languages. It is a sanctuary for those seeking safety, purpose, or a second chance, just like myself. It is a promise that whoever you are, whatever your part, you belong here. We are borrowed bus drivers, and barristers, teachers, and tech founders, care workers, and creatives, elders, activists, dreamers, and doers. We are black. We are white, Asian, Arab, Jewish, Muslim, Irish, disabled, neurodivers, working class, and all beautiful intercessions. Diversity is not something we manage. It is something we celebrate. It is not a problem to solve. It is a power to fuel us forward. And in a world that often builds worlds, Eastlington builds bridges. We don't push people out. We pull people in. This year, as your mayor, I will be a champion for a borough where every young person feels seen, saved, and supported. A borough where mental health is treated not as a luxury, but as a fundamental right. A borough where careers, renters, key workers, and volunteers are not just acknowledged, but uplifted. A borough where community doesn't just show up in times of crisis, but in the everyday. A borough that embraces innovation without losing compassion. We won't work for the future. We will build it. At heart, I'm always and will always be an entrepreneur, if you didn't know that. I've built ideas from scratch. I've faced the fear. I've taken the risk. I've felt the joy of seeing something grow where once there was nothing. That's why I would use my mayoral year to support our local businesses. From the barber shop, to the tech startup, from the family-run cafe, to the market store. You are the heartbeat of our high street. The soul of our economy. And for those who don't know, I'm also a farmer. Well, a city farmer. Councillor Ward mentioned, I love my plants. I grow up food. Compass. A gig oversaw pH level. Much to the horror of my kids. But it works because, beyond the banter, I truly believe in the local economy, our green economy, as part of our future. So this year, I've chosen East Linton Giving as my mayoral charity. Why? Because they reflect the very best of us. Why? They are community-powered, people-focused, and rooted in belief that everyone deserves a chance, and not just to survive, but to thrive. Please support them with your time, your giving, your voice. Because when we give together, we rise together. My journey from the little village in Nigeria to East Linton, from a teenage dreamer to a mayor in chain and robes, is not mine alone. It is for every teacher who didn't give up on me, every mentor who saw more in me than I saw in myself. Every setback that became a set-up. Every stranger who opened the door. To every young person in this borough, especially those who feel invisible, unlooked, overlooked, or out of place. Hear me now. You matter. You belong. You are part of this story. Hold tight to your purpose. Don't dim your light to fit in. And remember, if a boy from Nigeria, raised here in London in several different places, shaped by my faith in God, fought true struggle, and embraced my community, can stand here as the first citizen of East Linton, then you can become anything you believe. This role may be ceremonial, but the symbol is real. It tells our children hope has a home here. And it reminds us all, the future isn't something we wait for. It is something we walk towards together. Let us be a borough that builds, believes, and belong. Let us rise together. And thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Now I'm back to my job. Right. I'm back to my job. I would like now to appoint the Deputy Mayor. I, Jason Jackson, having been duly elected to the office of the Mayor of London, Borough of East Linton, for the issuing year to appoint Councillor Rosalyn Ngoro to uphold the office of the Deputy Mayor until newly elected Mayor becomes entitled to act as Mayor in accordance with the provision of paragraph 5 of the Schedule II of the Local Government Act, 1972. Thank you. Can we appreciate it? Congratulations, Councillor Ngongoro. Zulu Ngongoro will be Deputy Mayor, Council for the year. We will now move to Item 7. We will now move to Item 7, Appointment of the Deputy Leader and the Executive. An update, updated to this report was circulated in the Second Dispatch. Councillor Horan, would you like to speak? Thank you, Mr Mayor. Today I'm pleased to announce that Councillor Williamson will be taking over as the Executive Member for Finance and Performance. Councillor Williamson brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, with a strong background in financial management and strategic planning. She has constantly demonstrated her ability to drive performance and deliver results. her leadership will be instrumental as we navigate the financial challenges ahead and strive for excellence in the delivery of our Council services. And I'm also delighted to welcome Councillor Dr Hyde sitting behind you. Can we give her a big clap? Thank you. Thank you. Dr Hyde has extensive experience in women's health and the criminal justice system, making her exceptionally well suited for this role. Her passion for improving health outcomes and her deep understanding of the complexities within the social care sector will be vital as we work to enhance the wellbeing of our community. Mr Mayor, I'd like to put on my record my thanks to the continuing hard work of my Executive. And I'd also like to put my thanks for all the backbenchers sitting here tonight, as we all here are here to serve our residents. I'd like to also thank officers for their continued support in the work we do to support our residents. Together we can achieve great things and make a positive impact on the lives of those we represent. I'd like to thank everybody for their continued support and commitment. And like I said, we are Labour Islington. Thank you. The paper is noted. And we will now move to item A. The calculation of the political balance, proportionality and arrangement for committees. Councillor Grave, please would you move the recommendation in the report. Formerly Mr Mayor. Would any other councillor like to speak? We will now move to a vote. All those in favour? All those in favour? Agreed. All those against? Any astrophyses? No? That is agreed. That's my first job. Yay! We will now move to item 9. Appointment of councillors to political position and appointment of chairs and vice chairs and membership of committees. An updated to this paper was circulated in the second dispatch of the papers. Councillor Craig, please would you move the recommendation in the report? Formerly Mr Mayor. Would any other councillor like to speak? We will then move to a vote. All those in favour? Would any other councillor like to speak? We will then move to a vote. All those in favour? OppД favoured. Orance? All those in favour? unglaub OK. All those in favour? Opp good,мер encountered. Opposite Lindsay, später. Ok. OK. We will now move to Item 10, Appointment of Representatives to Serve in Half-Side Organisations. An update to this paper was circulated in the second dispatch of the papers. Councillor Craig, please would you move the recommendation of the report. Formally Mr Mayor. Thank you. Did any councillors like to speak? In that case we will move to a vote. All those in favour? Yes. All those against? Any abstations? If that's agreed, thank you. We now move to Item 11, Appointment of Interim Section 151, Officer. Councillor Craig, please would you move the recommendation in the report. Formally Mr Mayor. Thank you. Would any other councillors like to speak? Right, we will move to a vote. All those in favour? Yes. All those against? Any abstentions? That is agreed. We now move to Item 12, Appointment of the Panel Members to Serve on Independent Admissions Appeal Panels and Independent Review Panels. Councillor Craig, please would you move the recommendation in the report. Formally. Thank you. Would any councillors like to speak? We would then move to a vote. All those in favour? Agree. Agree. All those against? Any abstentions? Agree. Agree. Thank you. With that, that brings us to the close of the meeting. Please, could invited guests make their way down to the Assembly Hall for a celebration. With that, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.