This webpage outlines the current political structure of Islington Council.
The council is made up of 48 locally elected councillors who make decisions on how to provide local services on behalf of local people.
At the local elections in 2006, you elected your representatives as follows:
For local election results, see the link on the right under Related Information. The next local elections will be held in May 2010.
At the annual council meeting on 13 May 2008, councillors elected the new Executive, Leader of the Council, Islington’s Mayor and the chairs of various sub-committees.
Councillor James Kempton (Liberal Democrat) is the current Leader of the Council.
Councillor Stefan Kasprzyk (Liberal Democrat) is the current Mayor of Islington for the 2008/09 period.
Councillor Catherine West (Labour) is the Leader of the Opposition.
Joining the Leader of the Council on the Executive with their respective portfolios are:
Councillor Terry Stacy - Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety
Councillor Lucy Watt – Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Communities, Skills and Business
Councillor John Gilbert – Executive Member for Finance
Councillor Ursula Woolley – Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care
Councillor Ruth Polling – Executive Member for Leisure and Equalities
Councillor Greg Foxsmith – Executive Member for Environment
Councillor Paula Belford - Executive Member for Children and Young People
View further information on the Executive
Councillors from all parties were also appointed to various committees and outside bodies. A full list can be found by clicking the Democracy in Islington link under Related Information, right.
Overview Committee Chair – Councillor Meral Ece, Liberal Democrat
Regeneration Review Committee Chair – Councillor George Allan, Liberal Democrat
Sustainability Review Committee Chair - Councillor Wally Burgess, Labour
Health and Wellbeing Review Committee Chair - Councillor Paul Convery, Labour
Audit Committee Chair - Councillor Laura Willoughby, Liberal Democrat
Area committee chairs will be elected at their first meeting.
Council
All councillors meet together as the Council. This is where decisions are made about major council policies and, importantly, where the budget is set. These meetings are held approximately six times a year and are open to the public.
The Executive
The Executive is the part of the council, which is responsible for most day-to-day decisions. The Executive is made up of the Leader of the Council and seven Executive members, all of whom work on a particular portfolio. The Executive makes decisions in line with agreed council policy and budget.
Overview
The overview committee has three important roles. Its first role is to support the work of the Executive and the Council by considering and making recommendations on policy. Secondly, they are responsible for scrutinising decisions made by the Executive and holding it to account if decisions appear to be contrary to council policy. Thirdly, it is responsible for reviewing matters relating to the council's education functions.
There are also three review committees that review and make proposals on these areas of council work; regeneration, sustainability and performance.
Area Committees
Islington also has four area committees made up of councillors from all political parties. They look specifically at matters of local interest, like planning applications, and promote better relationships between the council and the community.
Other Committees
Audit Committee and associated sub-committees deal with strategic planning, electoral registration, council accounts and other corporate matters.
Two separate committees deal with matters relating to Licensing. The Licensing committee deals with all matters under the Licensing Act 2003, while the Licensing Regulatory committee deals with all non-Licensing Act 2003 functions.
Councillors make decisions on council policy and spending. They are the people who know what’s going on in your local area, and are available for you to talk about any problems you may have with council services. They can take up your case themselves or point you in the right direction to get more advice.
Each ward has three councillors. You can meet any of your ward councillors in person at one of their regular surgeries, write to them via the Town Hall, send them an email or telephone them.
For councillors' contact details and to find out when they hold their surgeries, call 020 7527 2000. Click on Find My Nearest on the right of this page and enter your property details to get the most up to date information about your councillor.
For more information about councillors, click the relevant link on the left.
The Mayor is the first citizen of Islington and is the Chair of the Council. He has a specific role to play as the council representative at many civic and ceremonial events. The Mayor also plays an important part in supporting various charities throughout the borough.
Councillor Stefan Kasprzyk is Islington’s Mayor for the 2008/09 period. For more information about the Mayor, see the link on the right under Related Information.
For details of dates and associated reports and decisions of the Executive and all other meetings, click on the link for Democracy in Islington under Related Information on the right.
For any further information, call Contact Islington on 020 7527 2000.
Page Last Updated: 10 December 2008