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Executive - Thursday, 25th September, 2025 5.00 pm
September 25, 2025 Executive View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Executive of Islington Council met on 25 September 2025 to discuss a range of important issues, approving updates to the Medium Term Financial Strategy, including changes to building control fees, and endorsing a new Joint Waste Strategy for North London. The meeting also saw the designation of the Poets Road Conservation Area and the adoption of a Climate Action Supplementary Planning Document and Retrofit Handbook.
Key decisions included the approval of recommendations from the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee regarding community centres, and the Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee's report on cleaner, greener, more inclusive streets. The Executive also agreed to the procurement strategy for the pan-London sexual health e-service and noted the corporate progress and performance update for Quarter 1.
Medium Term Financial Strategy Update and Building Control Fees
Councillor Flora Williamson, Executive Member for Finance and Performance, introduced the update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). The strategy outlines a projected budget gap of approximately £16 million in 2026/27, rising to £75 million over the forecast period to 2030/31. This gap is influenced by factors such as pay awards, demographic growth, and inflation. The Council has responded to the government's Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, expressing concerns about the proposed formulae for funding allocation, particularly the impact on Islington's high temporary accommodation costs and entrenched deprivation. The Council has also implemented spending controls to mitigate risks.
The Executive approved recommendations to note the latest MTFS assumptions, the potential implications of the government's Fair Funding Review 2.0, and an update on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Crucially, the Executive approved an increase in building control charges, effective from 5 October 2025, to address the current budget shortfall in the service and move towards financial sustainability.
Joint Waste Strategy for North London
Councillor Rowena Champion, Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Transport, presented the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) Joint Waste Strategy. This strategy, developed collaboratively with six other London boroughs, sets out aims and objectives for waste management over the next fifteen years. The strategy prioritises waste reduction, reuse, and repair, followed by increased recycling rates, and finally, the most climate-friendly means of disposal. The Council has already committed significant investment to improving recycling facilities on estates and extending food waste recycling services. The strategy emphasizes the need for collaboration with government, businesses, and residents to achieve its ambitious environmental goals. The Executive agreed to adopt the North London Joint Waste Strategy.
Poets Road Conservation Area Designation
Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Culture and Jobs, introduced the proposal to designate the Poets Road area as a new conservation area. This designation aims to preserve and enhance the special architectural and historic character of the late 19th-century residential streets developed by Henry Rydon. The proposal includes the adoption of a Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, which will provide detailed guidance for future developments. Additionally, the Executive agreed to make a non-immediate Article 4 Direction to remove certain permitted development rights, giving the Council greater control over changes that could affect the area's character.
Climate Action Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Retrofit Handbook
Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford also presented the adoption of the Climate Action SPD and the update on the Retrofit Handbook. These documents aim to provide detailed guidance for new developments and support residents, landlords, and businesses in adapting their buildings to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The SPD sets out guidance on a range of topics including retrofit approaches, energy efficiency, renewable energy, whole life carbon, circular economy, and biodiversity. The Retrofit Handbook offers practical, step-by-step advice for residents and businesses, including information on DIY measures and guidance for heritage buildings. The Executive approved the final version of the Climate Action SPD for adoption and noted the updated Retrofit Handbook.
Other Key Decisions
The Executive also noted the Corporate Progress and Performance Update for Quarter 1 2025/26, highlighting progress across the Council's five missions, and agreed to the recommendations from the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee regarding community centres. They also noted the report from the Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee on cleaner, greener, more inclusive streets.
The Executive authorised the City of London's London Sexual Health Programme to undertake the commissioning and award of the pan-London sexual health e-service on behalf of Islington Council, and approved participation in the Inter-Authority Agreement for its delivery. They also agreed to amendments to the Housing Repairs and Maintenance Policy timeframes for complex works to ensure compliance with Awaab's Law, and approved the Major Works Transfer Policy.
Finally, the Executive noted the report of the Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee on Adult Social Care Accommodation, with a response to the recommendations to follow at a future meeting.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Report of the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee - Community centres
Recommendations Approved...to note the report and recommendations of the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee regarding community centres, extend thanks to the Community Wealth Building service and the Committee for their work, and agree that a response to the report and recommendations would be submitted to a future Executive meeting.
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Report of the Environment,Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee - Cleaner, greener, more inclusive streets
Recommendations Approved...to note the report and its recommendations regarding cleaner, greener, more inclusive streets, to thank the Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee for their report, and to indicate that a response from the Executive to the recommendations would follow in due course.
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Report of the Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee - Adult Social Care Accommodation
Recommendations Approved...to note the Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee's report and its recommendations regarding Adult Social Care Accommodation, to extend thanks to those involved in the report's production, and to indicate that a response to the recommendations would follow in due course.
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Designation of the Poets Road conservation area
Recommendations Approved...to designate the Poets Road area as a conservation area, adopt related appraisal and management plans, and initiate a non-immediate Article 4 Direction to manage permitted development.
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Procurement Strategy for the Pan-London sexual health e-service - 1030997
Recommendations Approved...to authorize the City of London's London Sexual Health Programme to commission and award the pan-London sexual health e-service on behalf of Islington Council, approve Islington's participation in the Inter-Authority Agreement for the service, and delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Health and Social Care to enter into the agreement with the City of London.
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Approval of North London Waste Authority (NLWA) Joint Waste Strategy
Recommendations Approved... the Executive of Islington approved the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) Joint Waste Strategy, agreeing to its recommendations and extending thanks to all contributors.
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Report of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee - Attendance
Recommendations Approved... that the Executive agreed to note the report and its recommendations from the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee regarding attendance, and extended thanks to the Committee, with a response to the recommendations to follow.
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Quarterly Capital Budget Monitoring Quarter 1 2025/26, including adjustments to the capital programme and capital asset decisions
Recommendations Approved... to note the forecast capital outturn of £254.340m in 2025/26, the revised multi-year capital programme and its financing, the requested capital reprofiling and budget adjustments, and the forecast expenditure and receipts for housing general fund revenue expenditure funded by capital under statute, while agreeing to the capital additions and reductions detailed in the report.
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Corporate performance monitoring Q 1
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations to review the progress and performance quarterly update report for Q1 of 2025/26, note performance issues, and discuss any further actions regarding the Delivery Plan 2024-26.
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Adoption of Climate Action Supplementary Planning Document and Retrofitting Handbook
Recommendations Approved...to adopt the Climate Action Supplementary Planning Document and Retrofitting Handbook, revoke the Environmental Design SPD (2012), and delegate authority for minor corrections.
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Budget monitoring 2025/2026 - Q1 - 1031033
Recommendations Approved...to note the General Fund forecast overspend of £1.540m, the Housing Revenue Account forecast overspend of £6.516m, progress on delivering budget savings, approve revenue budget virements and other adjustments, note debt write-offs, and note the quarterly performance update and progress with all missions and the delivery plan.
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Medium Term Financial Strategy update and update to Building Control fees and charges - 1031034
Recommendations Approved...to note the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) assumptions, the potential implications of the government’s proposed Fair Funding Review 2.0, and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) update, and to approve the increased building control charges from 5 October 2025.
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Implementation of Awaab's Law
Recommendations Approved...to approve policy changes and delegate authority for minor adjustments to ensure timely implementation of Awaab's Law, including amendments to housing repair timeframes and approval of a Major Works Transfer Policy.
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