Councillor Caroline Russell

Annual Council - Thursday, 16th May, 2024 7.30 pm

Councillor Anjna Khurana was elected as Mayor of Islington for 2024/25, with Councillor Jason Jackson as her deputy. Outgoing Mayor, Councillor Gary Heather, was thanked for his service to the borough. Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz announced a refreshed Executive, with new responsibilities and some changes in personnel. The Council also approved a number of constitutional amendments relating to the operation of scrutiny, changes to the Members’ Allowances Scheme and procurement rules, and the membership and terms of reference for the Council’s committees.

Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 16th April, 2024 7.30 pm

The Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee of Islington Council met on 16 April 2024. The committee heard annual updates from the North London Waste Authority and from Islington Council's Library and Heritage Service and Employment and Skills service. The committee also approved its draft recommendations on active travel in the borough.

Health and Care Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 15th April, 2024 7.30 pm

The Committee received presentations on the performance of Moorfields Eye Hospital, the Council’s Access to Adult Social Care (ASC) services, its new Access Islington Hubs, and the range of support provided for people who use drugs or alcohol. The Committee also received the quarter 3 performance report for Adult Social Care.

Special public meeting on reaching our 2030 net zero carbon target, Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 11th March, 2024 7.30 pm

The Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee met to discuss progress towards Islington Council's 2030 net zero carbon target, and how to make Islington more climate resilient. The Committee received a report from officers on the progress of various environmental initiatives and discussed several concerns raised by residents.

Health and Care Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 4th March, 2024 7.30 pm

The Committee considered a report on the North Central London (NCL) Integrated Care Board's (ICB) Start Well Programme, which included proposals to reduce the number of maternity and neonatal units in NCL from five to four. There was a preference from the ICB to close the units at the Royal Free Hospital and retain them at the Whittington Hospital. There were concerns from Islington Councillors that, if the Whittington Hospital was to lose its maternity and neonatal services, this would have a detrimental impact on other services provided at the Hospital. There were also concerns expressed about how best to reach out to seldom heard groups who would be affected by the proposals, including the Bangladeshi community. A proposal to close the birthing suites at Edgware Community Hospital, was also discussed.