The Executive of Islington Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday 17 September 2026 to discuss a range of important financial, housing, and community well-being matters. Key topics include the council's financial risk monitor, proposed changes to tenancy conditions, and responses to scrutiny reviews on new build homes, financial resilience, and progressive procurement.

Financial Risk Monitor 2026/27 - Quarter 1

The Executive will receive an update on the council's financial position at the end of the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. The report outlines key financial risks, forecast pressures, and the mitigating actions being taken. Significant forecast risks have been identified within Children's Services, particularly concerning residential placements, where demand and costs are exceeding budget. Other pressures include delays in delivering FutureWork savings, temporary accommodation bad debt, and the potential impact of a national pay award. These pressures are partially offset by underspends in corporate items. The report also seeks authorisation for a settlement agreement, details of which are contained in an exempt appendix.

Consultation on Proposed New Tenancy Conditions

A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to a consultation on proposed changes to the council's Tenancy Conditions. These updates are intended to address changes in legislation, building and fire safety duties, housing management issues, and emerging risks such as lithium-ion battery safety and the inappropriate use of council homes for commercial purposes. The proposed changes also aim to align the conditions with the expectations of the Regulator of Social Housing. The report details the extensive consultation process planned, which will involve all 26,000 secure council tenants and will run for sixteen weeks. Specific proposed changes include updated conditions on using council properties for residential businesses, succession/assignment rules, permission for home alterations, household rubbish and recycling, flooring, pet damage, letterbox maintenance, and access provisions. New conditions are also proposed regarding compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022 and the storage and charging of e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric mobility vehicles due to fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.

Response to Housing Scrutiny Review – New Build Homes

The Executive will consider the council's formal response to the Housing Scrutiny Committee's review of the New Homes Programme. The review, conducted in 2023/24, assessed past performance, identified challenges such as land supply and development costs, and outlined strategies for future projects. The Executive is asked to agree the council's responses to the committee's eight recommendations, which cover areas including capacity and resources for the New Homes Team, alternative funding and delivery models, resident engagement, governance, risk and cost control, taller buildings and rooftop development, modern methods of construction, high-quality and accessible homes, housing solutions for families, training and employment opportunities, and asset review for future pipeline development.

Response to Overview and Scrutiny Committee Review – Financial Resilience

This report outlines the Executive's response to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's review into how Islington Council can better support residents to achieve financial resilience, particularly those facing long-term poverty and inequality. The review made six overarching recommendations, with 16 detailed points, focusing on community outreach, information sharing with partners, simplifying support access, clear communication, using data for personalised communications, promoting physical communication materials, cash-first approaches to debt intervention, learning from resident stories through the Poverty Truth Commission, and advocating for national policy changes. The report details actions already being taken and further plans to improve support for residents.

Response to Corporate Resources and Economic Scrutiny Committee – Review into Supporting Islington's Communities Through Progressive Procurement

The Executive will consider the council's response to the Corporate Resources and Economic Scrutiny Committee's review of 'supporting Islington's communities through progressive procurement'. The review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the council's Progressive Procurement Strategy in leveraging purchasing power for social value, supporting local communities and businesses, and promoting diversity in the supply chain. The report details the council's responses to the committee's recommendations, including the approval of the council's first Social Value Statement. Key areas addressed include embedding social value across departments, governance arrangements for social value commitments, annual reporting on procurement activity, developing a bank of community needs-based 'asks', prioritising insourcing, and collaborative working with businesses and other councils.

Response to Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee – Improving Healthy Life Expectancy in Islington

The Executive will consider the council's response to the Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee's review on improving healthy life expectancy in Islington. The review made 10 recommendations focusing on tackling health inequalities, strengthening data and insight for targeted interventions, reducing preventable mortality through improved access to drug, alcohol, and smoking cessation services, early identification and management of long-term conditions, embedding a 'Health in All Policies' approach, promoting healthy weight and food environments, addressing smoking and vaping risks, strengthening preparedness for synthetic opioid harms, enhancing community insight and engagement, and adopting a life-course approach to health. The report details the council's responses and ongoing actions to address these recommendations.