Councillor Catherine West
Leader of the Council
Labour Member for Tollington Ward
Meet Catherine
Like all Councillors, Catherine holds regular advice surgeries for residents in her ward. For more information about Catherine's surgeries access the Leader's page.
Catherine also holds roving surgeries across the borough to make it easier for you to air your views about local issues, find out about the council's work and get your questions answered. Keep an eye out for details of future surgeries on this page, or email Catherine if you want to suggest a future location.
About Catherine
Catherine has represented the Tollington Ward in Islington North since 2002 and has held the position of Leader of the Labour Group since 2004, steering the group from 11 to 35 councillors at the 2010 Local Elections. Catherine was elected Leader of Islington Council in May 2010 and is also Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee.
As Leader, Catherine’s priorities include improving local housing provision, promoting safer inner city communities, reducing inequality and tackling child poverty.
Catherine is active in a number of local community groups, helping out in a voluntary capacity and in her role as a councillor. Before becoming Leader she was the Chair of the Mitford under Fives children’s centre and a trustee of the Hornsey Road Sure Start Children’s Centre. She was until recently a governor at Duncombe Primary School in Sussex Way, Islington.
Catherine has been involved with a number of local campaigns, helping disadvantaged and under-represented groups from across the borough and leading the budget proposals to implement free school meals and a council tax discount for pensioners. Under her leadership the Islington Fairness Commission was launched, chaired by Professor Richard Wilkinson, to look at ways of tackling poverty and inequality to make Islington a fairer place.
Catherine is a mother of two and an Archway resident. She speaks five languages and holds a degree in Social Science and Languages and a Masters Degree in Chinese Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies.