Islington Council Budget Make It Happen Safer Streets 2026

Key points

• Islington Council agreed a new budget last night (Thursday, 26 February 2026) that focuses on “the issues that matter most to residents”, including safer streets, support for children and young people, and tackling the cost‑of‑living crisis.
• The budget is framed as part of the council’s “Make It Happen” strategy, which aims to protect frontline services while managing rising costs and ongoing financial pressures.
• Council leaders say the package will protect key services such as social care, housing, and education, but also include targeted investment in crime‑prevention and community safety.
• The council has signalled that some savings will be made through efficiency measures and back‑office changes, rather than widespread cuts to front‑line staff.
• Local councillors and officers have emphasised that the budget will be monitored closely over the coming year, with updates to residents on how the money is being spent.
• The decision comes amid wider debate about local government funding from central government and the long‑term financial outlook for London boroughs.

Islington Council (North London News) February 27, 2026– agreed a new budget last night (Thursday, 26 February 2026) that it says puts “the issues that matter most to residents” at the heart of its spending plans, including safer streets, support for children and young people, and help for those feeling the strain of the cost‑of‑living crisis.​

The package was approved by councillors following a series of debates and consultation events in which residents, local groups, and frontline staff were invited to give evidence on priorities for the next financial year. As reported by the Islington Gazette, the council’s leadership insisted that the budget forms part of a wider

“Make It Happen” programme designed to

“protect frontline services while delivering the improvements people are asking for”.​

What is in the new Islington budget?

According to council documents summarised by Islington Media, the agreed budget includes ring‑fenced funding for crime‑prevention schemes, youth services, and practical support for low‑income households, such as expanded use of council‑linked hardship funds and targeted housing support.

Local officers have been tasked with identifying where money can be saved through back‑office efficiencies, shared services, and digital transformation, rather than through large‑scale reductions in frontline staff posts.​

The council’s chief executive, as quoted in Islington Media, stated that the package

“strikes the right balance between protecting essential services and investing in longer‑term improvements to safety, education, and housing”.

The budget also includes provisions for school transport and additional support for children in need, with the council promising to “monitor the impact on vulnerable families” and adjust plans if necessary.​

How is the council defining ‘Make It Happen’?

The strapline “Make It Happen for Islington” – which headlines the council’s own report of the budget announcement – reflects a broader political and communications strategy to show that the authority is focused on delivering tangible improvements rather than simply managing cuts.

As reported by Islington Media, the council says the slogan ties together long‑standing priorities such as tackling knife crime, improving air quality, and ensuring that children and young people “have the chances they deserve”.​

Councillors speaking during the budget debate, as summarised in local coverage, framed the plan as an attempt to “make the most of limited resources” while holding the line on core services such as social care and housing management. One ward‑level councillor told the meeting that residents

“don’t want more cuts, they want better outcomes”,

and that the council must demonstrate that the new budget is delivering visible improvements in their neighbourhoods.​

What are the priorities for safer streets?

Central to the budget agreement is a renewed focus on safer streets, with the council committing to maintain or increase spending on community safety initiatives, policing partnerships, and youth programmes aimed at reducing violent crime.

Islington Media notes that the council has highlighted investment in youth hubs, late‑night transport, and better street lighting as part of the package, arguing that these measures can “interrupt the cycle of offending” and give young people more options than hanging out on the streets.​

Police and community safety partners, as quoted via the council’s communications, welcomed the council’s prioritisation of safety but also stressed that long‑term progress will depend on continued collaboration between local authorities, the Metropolitan Police, schools, and voluntary organisations.

Some local campaigners and residents’ groups have said they will be watching closely to ensure that the money is actually reaching the areas and communities most affected by crime, rather than being absorbed by administrative overheads.​

How will children and young people be supported?

The budget is also designed to protect and, in some areas, expand services for children and young people, including early‑years support, school‑linked programmes, and targeted interventions for vulnerable families. Islington Media reports that the council has committed to maintaining existing levels of funding for children’s social care and safeguarding activities, while also allocating extra resources to mentorship schemes, youth centres, and mental‑health support in schools.​

Councillors involved in the education and children’s portfolio have argued that investing in young people

“pays off in reduced crime, better health, and stronger communities”.

At the same time, some education and youth‑sector practitioners have warned that any future reductions in national funding for schools and local authorities could still put pressure on these services, even if Islington’s own budget holds firm.​

How is the council dealing with the cost‑of‑living crisis?

Tackling the impact of the cost‑of‑living crisis on residents is another stated pillar of the budget, with the council promising to keep hardship funds open, expand food‑and‑support schemes, and continue working with local charities and mutual‑aid groups.

As reported by Islington Media, the council says this includes targeted help for households on low incomes, those in temporary accommodation, and people facing energy‑bill arrears or rent‑payment difficulties.​

Local campaigners interviewed in the coverage have welcomed the continued funding but say it only “scratches the surface” of the need, arguing that structural changes at national level – such as higher welfare levels and stronger rent controls – are essential to make a real difference. Council officers have acknowledged that the authority cannot solve the national crisis on its own but insist that

“every pound spent locally can cushion the blow for someone who is struggling”.​

How is the council managing financial pressures?

Underlying the budget discussion is the ongoing financial pressure facing Islington Council, as it is for many other London boroughs.

Islington Media notes that the council has had to factor in rising costs for everything from staff pay and energy bills to the care of vulnerable adults and the maintenance of housing stock, all while balancing the need to keep council tax increases within the limits set by national government.​

The council’s finance committee has signalled that the agreed budget will be revisited regularly over the year, with quarterly monitoring and public updates to ensure transparency about where money is being spent and where savings are being achieved. Some scrutiny councillors have called for more detailed breakdowns of efficiency measures, warning that without clear data residents may struggle to judge whether the council is

“really protecting services or just shuffling the figures around”.​

How are residents and local groups reacting?

The council’s decision has been met with a mix of cautious optimism and ongoing concern from residents and local organisations.

Community groups featured in Islington Media’s coverage welcome the council’s emphasis on safer streets and support for the most vulnerable but say they will be watching closely to see how the promises translate into on‑the‑ground change.​

Some residents quoted in local reporting have said they are encouraged that the council is “not just talking about cuts” but are also asking for more regular updates so they can understand where their council tax is going. Local campaigners have also used the budget debate to reiterate calls for stronger action on housing, including more social‑rent homes and better enforcement against rogue landlords, arguing that truly safer and fairer streets require more housing security for all.​

What does this mean for Islington’s future?

In its own summary of the budget agreement, Islington Council describes the package as “a clear set of priorities” for the coming year, aimed at making the borough safer, fairer, and more resilient despite wider financial constraints. The council leadership has stressed that the “Make It Happen” framework is not just about this year’s budget but about setting a direction for how the authority will use its resources over the next several years.​