Congratulations to Rakhia Ismail who on Friday became Islington’s newest Councillor after winning the Holloway by-election. I look forward to welcoming her to the council and know that she will be a great addition to the team.
I also want to congratulate Cllr Jilani Chowdhury, who will be sworn in at Annual Council on Thursday as first citizen of the borough and Islington’s first ever Bangladeshi Mayor.
I have made some changes to Executive Member portfolios for the coming year, which will be confirmed at Annual Council on Thursday.
We’re on the side of our tenants and leaseholders and committed to making sure they have a strong voice. With our social housing now back under direct council control, we’re putting in place new arrangements for resident engagement, including a new Housing Executive, Residents’ Improvement Taskforce and elected Resident Champions. This work is incredibly important and Cllr Barbara Sidnell as the new Executive Member for Tenants, Residents and Communities will be able to devote her attention to taking it forward. Barbara has been a tenant activist all of her adult life and will be a vocal, committed advocate for tenants and leaseholders.
Cllr James Murray as Executive Member for Housing & Development will be in charge of housing management and strategy. Providing the new family sized social homes Islington so desperately needs is an absolute priority and in this new role Cllr Murray will continue to drive forward Islington’s biggest affordable house building programme for thirty years.
Taking over the crucial role of Executive Member for Community Safety and continuing with our work to keep Islington safe and take tough action to tackle crime and anti social behaviour is Cllr Paul Convery.
Read the full list of Executive Member Portfolios 2012-13 here.



