Councillor Ben Mackmurdie

Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 22nd September, 2025 7.30 pm

The Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee met to discuss community safety, policing, housing repairs and homelessness in Islington. The committee received updates on community safety initiatives, progress towards compliance with Awaab's Law[^2], and the state of homelessness and temporary accommodation in the borough. They also heard a presentation from Streets Kitchen, a grassroots organisation working with the homeless.

Council - Thursday, 18th September, 2025 7.15 pm

Islington Council met on 18 September 2025, and voted to establish a twinning agreement with Azaria, a Palestinian town in East Jerusalem, as a gesture of friendship and solidarity. Councillors also approved updates to the council's constitution and Members' Allowances Scheme, and discussed a quarterly monitoring report.

Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025 7.30 pm

The Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee met to discuss tenancy satisfaction, homelessness and housing performance in Islington. Councillors heard that overall tenant satisfaction is above the London median, but that complaints handling and asbestos management require improvement. The committee also began its scrutiny of homelessness in the borough, hearing about the financial challenges, customer journeys, and rough sleeping initiatives.

Council - Thursday, 10th July, 2025 7.15 pm

At a meeting of Islington Council, councillors discussed a range of issues including the impact of government cuts, the importance of social value in procurement, and support for private renters. Councillors voted to support motions on embedding social value and compliance in procurement, supporting private renters, and recognising the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the local campaign to save the Upper Street Post Office. An original motion opposing cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was amended and then carried.

Planning Sub Committee B - Monday, 7th July, 2025 7.30 pm

Islington Council's Planning Sub-Committee B met on 7 July 2025, and approved a proposal to convert a disused ball court on the Delhi Outram Estate into a community garden and play area, despite the plans representing a departure from the council's local plan. The committee agreed to the plans subject to 11 conditions, including the securing of the final landscaping layout and inclusive design features.