About us

A more equal Islington

Our priorities are to create an Islington where

• Children and young people have the best start
• There are local jobs and businesses in a thriving local economy
• Everyone has a place to call home
• We have a cleaner, greener, healthier borough
• Communities feel safe, connected and inclusive

How the council works

Islington residents are represented by 51 councillors, elected for a four-year term. Councillors determine the policies of the council, while officers (or council staff) are employed to give advice, implement these decisions and deliver council services. Council officers are accountable to the Chief Executive.

For information about council meetings and how the council works – including decisions, elections, ward partnerships and the council’s forward plan – visit our democracy pages.

Facts and Figures

• Islington is one of 32 London boroughs
• Islington has 17 electoral wards, each represented by three elected councillors. Following the May 2022 local ections, Islington has 48 Labour councillors and three Green councillors
• Islington has the highest level of child poverty in London

Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Council Leader

Kaya Comer Schwartz was appointed as Leader of Islington Council on 20 May 2021, and is the first Black woman to take the role.

First elected to the council in 2013 to represent Junction ward, Cllr Comer-Schwartz became Deputy Leader in 2020. She has served on the council’s Executive for six years, most recently as Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families and prior to that as Executive Member for Community Development.

Before joining the council’s Executive, Cllr Comer-Schwartz worked in the charity sector, including roles at Centre for Mental Health, Shelter and The Women’s Library.

The Executive

The leader of the Council appoints an Executive - a team of councillors with specific responsibilities. They are;

Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Leader of the Council

Diarmaid Ward, Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance

Santiago Bell-Bradford Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs

Una O'Halloran, Executive Member for Homes and Communities

John Woolf, Executive Member for Community Safety

Rowena Champion, Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Transport

Michelline Safi Ngongo, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families 

Nurullah Turan, Executive Member for Health and Social Care

Roulin Khondoker, Executive Member for Equalities, Culture and Inclusion

You can read more about the council's Executive and responsibilities.