PUBLISHED: 08:14 09 May 2018 | UPDATED: 08:14 09 May 2018 Sam Gelder Blue Badge misuse has become a frequent offence. Picture: PA PA Archive/PA Images A clampdown on Blue Badge fraud has seen four drivers hauled before the courts and fined more than £2,200. Islington Council says it is taking a tougher approach to people illegally using the parking permits, which are designed to help people with disabilities by giving them more freedom when it comes to parking. The fines was dished out by magistrates at Highbury Corner last month after prosecutions brought by the town hall. Islington’s transport chief Cllr Claudia Webbe said: “Blue Badge cheats have been getting away with abusing the system for too long. “These badges represent a vital lifeline for many of our borough’s most vulnerable residents, helping them maintain independence and a be an active part of the community. “We are taking a much harder line on selfish criminals who knowingly … [Read more...] about Four hauled before magistrates as Islington Council gets tough on Blue Badge fraud
Islington council
Angelic Energy: Islington Council criticised over link with £8million-losing partner company
PUBLISHED: 11:03 30 April 2018 | UPDATED: 11:03 30 April 2018 James Morris Islington Council has come under fire over its Angelic Energy project. Picture: Islington Council Archant Islington Council has said its cheap energy tariff is safe – despite being linked to a company which lost £7.59million in the last financial year. At the Gazette local elections hustings last week, town hall leader Cllr Richard Watts came under attack from Liberal Democrat opponent Nick Wakeling over Angelic Energy.It’s a scheme in partnership with Nottingham City Council’s Robin Hood Energy company, which made the huge losses in the 2016/17 financial year.A town hall spokesman said Angelic Energy can’t go bust, but Robin Hood can. If it did, the energy regulator Ofgem would step in and appoint a new gas and electricity supplier for Angelic.But Mr Wakeling countered this week: “Ofgem stepped in when GB Energy went bust after suffering far lower … [Read more...] about Angelic Energy: Islington Council criticised over link with £8million-losing partner company
Landmark affordable housing win for Islington Council over Territorial Army site in Parkhurst Road
PUBLISHED: 08:19 30 April 2018 | UPDATED: 08:19 30 April 2018 James Morris The sorry-looking Territorial Army site in Parkhurst Road has been the subject of a five-year planning battle. Picture: Google Street View Archant Islington Council and the government have won a landmark affordable housing case at the High Court. The saga, which has been going on since 2013, revolves around the former Territorial Army site in Parkhurst Road, Holloway. A developer, First Base, bought the site five years ago and refused to offer affordable homes when trying to get planning permission from Islington Council. The town hall’s planning committee rejected it for this reason – and First Base has been trying to overturn the decision ever since. It lost two appeal hearings against Islington before the case was finally taken to the High Court this year. On Friday, the council, and the government’s Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government – headed by Conservative … [Read more...] about Landmark affordable housing win for Islington Council over Territorial Army site in Parkhurst Road
Clerkenwell to get 180-room Premier Inn – after government overturns Islington Council rejection
PUBLISHED: 07:57 06 April 2018 | UPDATED: 07:57 06 April 2018 James Morris An artist's impression of the new Premier Inn hotel in Farringdon Road. Picture: Camargue Archant Premier Inn has won permission to build a 180-room hotel in Clerkenwell – after the UK’s top planning authority cast aside the concerns of community campaigners. Endurance Land has finally won permission to redevelop the former NCP car park in Farringdon Road after a long-drawn-out planning row. Campaigners, led by the Catherine Griffiths and Clerkenwell Community Tenants and Residents’ Association (TRA), had strongly opposed the hotel plans. They wanted the huge site to boost Clerkenwell life for those who actually live there, with affordable housing and “useful” shops. Islington Council rejected Endurance’s planning application in October 2016, saying it would “compromise the local economy” by not “maximising employment”. Endurance took it to the … [Read more...] about Clerkenwell to get 180-room Premier Inn – after government overturns Islington Council rejection
Fostering teenagers with the support of Islington Council can enrich their lives and yours
Ad Feature PUBLISHED: 12:39 03 April 2018 | UPDATED: 17:32 03 April 2018 Alex McFadyen Islington Council can advise foster carers on how to support teenagers' educational needs. This content is subject to copyright. “I try and do my best to enhance the young person’s capabilities. I’m very focused on their education, their wellbeing and their cultural needs.” Islington Council will train foster carers in the skills they need to build positive relationships with children they look after. Fostering children over the age of 11, through their teenage years, is a unique experience, and brings with it its own set of rewards and challenges. When fostering with Islington Council, carers receive an allowance, with weekly payments totalling more than £430, to put towards training and the costs of raising a child. A child’s adolescence can be a difficult, but also an exciting period, and this is often reflected in their behaviour. Foster carers need … [Read more...] about Fostering teenagers with the support of Islington Council can enrich their lives and yours