Islington's new housing chief is Cllr Diarmaid Ward

Islington Council's new executive member for housing and development is Cllr Diarmaid Ward.

 

He joins the council's executive at a time when Islington is working on its biggest council house-building programme for 30 years, and the borough's council housing also faces major challenges from the Government's Housing and Planning Act.

 

Cllr Ward will be responsible for areas including housing strategy and supply, housing management, planning policy and development management.

 

He replaces James Murray, who served as Islington Council's executive member for housing and development for six years, before stepping down last month.

 

Cllr Ward said: "I am very excited about my new post, and look forward to the challenge of continuing the excellent work already happening in Islington.

 

"Like most of London, Islington faces a housing crisis.  We are building new council homes, but also face huge challenges from the Government's new Housing and Planning Act, which will put our council housing under even more pressure.

 

"I will work hard to deliver the genuinely affordable housing Islington needs, and to protect council housing.  I will also support private renters in Islington to help make sure they have decent places to live, and are treated fairly."

 

Originally from Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, Cllr Ward has lived in Islington for six years.  He was elected to Islington Council in 2014 as a councillor for Holloway Ward.  

 

Before being appointed as executive member he worked as a legal aid solicitor, specialising in criminal defence, and was a member of the duty solicitor scheme at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.