At a meeting of Islington Council, councillors discussed a range of issues including the impact of government cuts, the importance of social value in procurement, and support for private renters. Councillors voted to support motions on embedding social value and compliance in procurement, supporting private renters, and recognising the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the local campaign to save the Upper Street Post Office. An original motion opposing cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was amended and then carried.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

Cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

The council debated a motion regarding proposed government cuts to PIP, a benefit intended to support people with disabilities. Councillor Phil Graham proposed a motion noting that the cuts would strip away vital support from up to 1.2 million disabled people by 2029/30, including many Islington residents, and that the cuts would have devastating consequences for individuals, their families, local authorities and the NHS.

Councillor Diarmaid Ward moved an amendment to the motion, stating that the original motion was a lazy, unserious copy and paste from Plymouth Council, and that it contained inaccuracies. Councillor Ward's amendment recognised that the bill enshrined the right to work, guaranteed that people could try work without worrying about reassessment, and included the first ever sustained rise to universal credit.

Councillor Benali Hamdache opposed the amendment, stating that the Labour government had cut the health-related element of universal credit by £206, and had changed the criteria for people living with serious conditions as to how they grant universal credit.

The amendment was carried, and the amended motion was then carried.

Embedding Social Value and Compliance in Procurement

Councillor Diarmaid Ward proposed a motion on embedding social value and compliance in procurement, highlighting its potential to shape the local economy, promote fairness, and deliver benefits to residents. He noted that the council had been prioritising social value in all tendered contracts, supporting local small and medium-sized businesses, and aligning procurement with the borough's Net Zero Carbon 2030 target.

Councillor Nick Wayne seconded the motion, emphasising that the Procurement Act 2023 and the National Procurement Policy Statement provided both a legal obligation and a powerful opportunity to go even further in delivering social and economic value.

Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir spoke in support of the motion, highlighting the council's work to engage and support businesses led by global majority communities¹.

The motion was carried.

Supporting Private Renters in Islington

Councillor Jenny Kay, the Private Renters Champion, proposed a motion on supporting private renters in Islington, noting that over a third of homes in Islington are privately rented, representing more than 27,000 households. She highlighted the challenges faced by private renters, including affordability, poor housing conditions, and lack of security, and noted that private rents had risen to an average of £2,700 in May 2025, an annual increase of 8.1%.

Councillor Shreya Nanda seconded the motion, noting that private renters are the youngest of any housing tenure in Islington, pay the most, have the lowest security of tenure, and are most likely to live in a non-decent home.

Councillor James Potts spoke in support of the motion, sharing his own experiences as a private renter in Islington. Councillor Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong stated that the Green Party would be supporting the motion.

The motion was carried.

Recognition of CWU and Local Campaign to Save Upper Street Post Office

Councillor Gary Heather proposed a motion recognising the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the local campaign to save the Upper Street Post Office [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Upper+Street+Post+Office+Islington/]. He noted the vital role that local post office services play in communities, particularly for older residents, small businesses, and those who rely on accessible public services.

Councillor Saiqa Pandor seconded the motion, sharing her personal experiences of using post office services and highlighting their importance to the community. Councillor Hannah McHugh also spoke in support, emphasising that the Upper Street Post Office is a social hub and a meeting place.

The motion was carried.

Finsbury Leisure Centre Redevelopment

The council noted a decision made by the Executive on 24 April 2025, using urgency procedures, to cease the project to redevelop the Finsbury Leisure Centre site [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Finsbury+Leisure+Centre+Islington/]. The decision was considered urgent due to the project incurring costs of around £363,000 per month. The council also noted that it would still be investing in Finsbury Leisure Centre and its surroundings, and would support delivery of a new medical centre.

Questions from Members of the Public

• Disrepair Companies: Responding to a question from Maia Hamilton, Councillor John Woolf, Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, said that the council was receiving a high number of disrepair cases, partially due to no-win, no-fee companies targeting residents. He said that the council was closing more legal orders than it was receiving, and that it reports unscrupulous companies to the solicitor's regulatory authority when it has evidence.
• Recycling: Responding to a question from Andrew Clark, Councillor Rowena Champion, Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality & Transport, did not provide a response in the meeting, and instead provided a written response after the meeting.
• Community Involvement in Parks: Responding to a question from Kiran Prasad about community involvement in parks, Councillor Champion did not provide a response in the meeting, and instead provided a written response after the meeting.
• Jobcentre Support: Responding to a question from Joe Peck, Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Culture & Jobs, said that the council had a manifesto commitment to get 5,000 people into work over four years, and that it had met that target two and a half years into its term. He also said that the council had a commitment to create 1,000 new apprenticeships, and that it was on track to meet that later this year.
• Child Poverty: Responding to a question from Ben Gregg, Councillor Michelline Safi-Ngongo, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Families, said that the council takes child poverty seriously, and that it was among the first boroughs to give free school meals.
• Housing Association Service Charges: Responding to a question from Pete Gillman, Councillor John Woolf said that housing associations should not be increasing service charges above the actual cost of the services provided, and that residents can request a breakdown of the cost.
• Ethical Banking: Responding to a question from Beth Wall, Councillor Flora Williamson, Executive Member for Finance and Performance, said that the council had a cross-party working group looking at its bank procurement, and that it had gone out and tested what other providers there are. She said that the ethical banking questions are being used as part of the procurement process.
• Mildmay Liveable Neighbourhood: Responding to a question from Councillor David Harrison, Councillor Rowena Champion said that the Mildmay Liveable Neighbourhood [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Mildmay+Liveable+Neighbourhood+Islington/] is progressing well, and that it is the council's first liveable neighbourhood.
• Islington Foodbank: Responding to a question from Talia Hussain, Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford clarified that the council is not closing down the food bank, and that the council has been engaged with the food bank for years to try and find a resolution.
• Anti-Social Behaviour: Responding to a question from Kailas Moorthy, Councillor Angelo Weekes, Executive Member for Community Safety, said that Travers Road had not been formally classified as a hotspot, but that the council would extend an offer of its community safety team to reach out directly and to carry out a letter drop on Travers Road to encourage more residents to report incidents.

Questions from Members of the Council

• Garage Conversions: Responding to a question from Councillor Gary Heather, Councillor John Woolf said that the council was looking at other opportunities for garage and undercroft conversions, and that it was working strenuously to alleviate and remove all damp.
• Increasing Council Homes: Responding to a question from Councillor Ruth Hayes, Councillor John Woolf said that the council was absolutely committed to maximising the supply of council homes in Islington, and that it had delivered over 600 new council homes since Labour won the town hall.
• E-Bike Service: Responding to a question from Councillor Fin Craig, Councillor Sara Hyde, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, said that she was glad that the e-bike service was such a wonderful experience, and that she hoped the council would continue to provide it.
• Violent Crime: Responding to a question from Councillor Nurullah Turan, Councillor Angelo Weekes said that the council understood how deeply concerns about violent crime, particularly knife crime, affects communities, and that it was committed to ensuring everyone in Islington feels safe.
• Wellington Mews: Responding to a question from Councillor Heather Staff, Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford assured that she would ensure developers of Wellington Mews [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Wellington+Mews+Islington/] understand that Islington's planning policies require all developments of ten or more homes to be 50% genuinely affordable including at least 35% social rent.
• PIP and Universal Credit Changes: Responding to a question from Councillor Anjna Khurana, Councillor Sara Hyde said that the council had submitted a co-produced, detailed response to the government's Pathway to Work consultation on the reforms to health and disability benefits.
• Council Tax Reduction Scheme: Responding to a question from Councillor Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong, Councillor Flora Williamson said that the council's council tax support scheme is one of the most generous in London, supporting low-income families and households, awarding 100% relief to its most vulnerable residents.

Appointments

The council made the following appointments:

• Councillor Shreya Nanda as Substitute Member on Pensions Committee
• Councillor Satnam Gill as Chair of the Disciplinary Appeal Committee
• Councillor Toby North as Member on the Investigating & Disciplinary Committee
• Cassandra Flavius as a non-voting resident observer (tenant) to the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee
• Emmanuel Beck as a non-voting resident observer (tenant) to the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee
• Elizabeth Emmanuel as a non-voting resident observer (leaseholder) to the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee