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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 30 January 2009

Cllr Greg Foxsmith

Gifts register reveals where council eats for free and how they keep cosy

EXCLUSIVE Arsenal directors box seats, knitted scarves and home-made cakes – these are just some of the gifts given to Lib Dem councillors over the past six months revealed in a list this week.
The register of gifts and hospitality, published in papers for Tuesday’s Standards Committee meeting, reveals which councillors have been given the most presents and who has been giving them.
Council leader councillor James Kempton and environment chief councillor Greg Foxsmith both enjoyed lunch and a prime view of Arsenal vs Aston Villa from the directors box at the Emirates Stadium courtesy of Arsenal Football Club in November. They were there to see a pitchside presentation and receive an award for Homes for Islington from Arsenal director Ken Friar.
Council deputy leader councillor Terry Stacy, who is also housing chief, declined an offer of West Ham vs Arsenal tickets from construction company Mulalley and Co Ltd.
But he, alongside colleague councillor Laura Willoughby, accepted an invitation to the Stonewall Awards Ceremony courtesy of the Keir Group, of which they are both directors.
Cllr Lucy Watt declared a gift of two home-made scarves and cakes given by a woman in her ward as thanks for taking up the resident’s case.
At the other end of the scale, Cllr Watt enjoyed a swish Christmas lunch at posh Camden Passage eaterie Frederick’s, paid for by Islington Chamber of Commerce.
Cllr Watt said: “I am the executive lead for business and I attended to network with local businesses.”
According to a Standards Committee report, not one Labour councillor nor Islington’s only green councillor Katie Dawson have declared anything in the past six months. Councillors only have to declare gifts worth more than £25.
The list reveals former mayor councillor Barbara Smith and council leader James Kempton were the most popular choice, having received nine gifts each. Cllr Smith mostly received tickets for Sadler’s Wells, where she is a governor.
Rebel Cllr Andrew Cornwell declined an offer of “dinner followed by discussion on maximising the return on your investment in rewards” offered by benefits consultants Mercer. He did not give a reason why.
Hundreds of Sainsbury’s vouchers given to councillors were immediately passed on to a number of charities and OAP groups.

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