Islington Council's leader has named her new deputy and appointed several other councillors to new roles in a post-election reshuffle. Labour retained its majority on the council for the fifth consecutive time, winning 32 of 51 seats in May's elections. However, the party lost several key figures amid a surge in support for the Green Party.
Una O'Halloran was re-selected as leader of the local Labour group shortly after the election results on May 8, ensuring her continued leadership of the council. On Friday, May 15, she announced her 'new-look executive' tasked with running the borough.
New Deputy Leader and Key Appointments
Councillor Ruth Hayes has been appointed as the new Deputy Leader of Islington Council, also taking on the health and social care portfolio. Long-time councillor Paul Convery has been promoted to Executive Member for Finance after serving as Pensions Committee Chair.
Councillor Heather Staff now holds the Community Safety portfolio, replacing Angelo Weekes, who lost his seat in Mildmay. She previously chaired the council's Licensing Committee. Former equalities chief Councillor Sheila Chapman takes over the Children, Young People and Families brief from Councillor Michelline Safi-Ngongo, who is leaving the cabinet. Councillor Jason Jackson has been promoted to lead on Homes and Neighbourhoods, having chaired the Housing Scrutiny Committee. He is also finishing his term as the borough's civic mayor.
Leader's Tribute to Departing Colleagues
Councillor O'Halloran expressed regret over the loss of experienced colleagues, including housing lead John Woolf, finance chief Flora Williamson, and former Deputy Leader Santiago Bell-Bradford, who all lost their seats to the Greens. 'I am so sorry to have seen such fantastic colleagues lose their seats or go elsewhere. I am so grateful for all their hard work and support. I wish them the best of luck and hope that they will stay close,' she said.
Green Party Gains and Committee Changes
The Green Party gained 16 new councillors, bringing their total to 19 seats. The opposition party expects to have up to four councillors on every committee. Green Party leader Benali Hamdache, who served as Leader of the Opposition during the last council term, has also become a Londonwide Assembly Member following Zoë Garbett's election as Mayor of Hackney. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he would continue as opposition leader for another year to allow a transition period for his successor.
The new appointments are expected to be confirmed at the council's annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 27.
