Agenda and minutes

To agree the procedures for the operation of hybrid meetings.

RESOLVED –

THAT the hybrid meeting procedure set out in the agenda be agreed.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Thomas Gardiner, Jenny Mulholland and Ranjit Singh.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Lazzaro Pietragnoli.

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair to announce the following: ‘In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record this meeting, I would like to remind everyone that this meeting is being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and can be viewed on our website for twelve months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available upon request.

If you are seated in the Chamber, you are deemed to be consenting to having your contributions recorded and broadcast, including video when switched on, and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.’

Any other announcements

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair announced that the meeting was being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and could be viewed on the website for twelve months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts were archived and could be made available upon request. Those who had asked to address the meeting were deemed to be consenting to having their contributions recorded and broadcast and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.

No declarations were made.

There were none.

To note the terms of reference of the scrutiny committee as set out below:

1. To scrutinise the strategic and corporate policies and performance of the Council.

2. To assist the Cabinet in the development of the Council’s annual budget (capital and revenue) and to review and scrutinise the Council’s performance in relation to overall budgetary management.

3. To scrutinise the provision, planning, financing, management and performance of the Corporate Services Directorate (excluding parking operations), and any other Council functions not otherwise addressed by any other Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED –

THAT the terms of reference for the Resources and Corporate Performance Scrutiny Committee be noted.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2021 and 23 March 2021.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meetings held on 22 February 2021 and 23 March 2021 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

There were no deputations.

Report of the Cabinet Adviser for Camden’s Data Charter.

This report provides an update from Cllr Leo Cassarani in his role as Cabinet Adviser to the initiative to create a Data Charter for Camden.

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet Advisor for Camden’s Data Charter.

In his introduction of the report, the Cabinet Advisor for Camden’s Data Charter said that this was a progress report on the work that had been done. The work on the Data Charter had not been finished and was ongoing. He explained why a data charter was important and the benefits of having a joined up approach to resident data use.

Members felt that this was an important project and agreed that the makeup of the consultative residents panel should be reflective of Camden. The Cabinet Advisor expressed to Members the importance of the resident recruitment process. The key to creating a representative panel would be not to only approach those residents who had shown an interest in the subject. This way Camden would be able to get feedback from residents with diverse points of view.

Committee Members were keen on the next stages of this project and how data would be used to improve resident experience. The Head of Data and Analytics spoke of the intention to reconvene the resident panels in the future to help inform the way data is use. He said that residents often feel as though Camden has a more joined up approach to data sharing between teams.

In response to a question about how the panel is being promoted in the community and how the final panel will be selected, the Head of Data and Analytics commented that Camden could accommodate between 20-30 panellists but that anyone else wanting to engage would be able to express their views through the user research being carried out. Camden were looking to get a diverse representative group.

In response to key questions from the Committee, the Cabinet Advisor made the following comments:

·       The intention was to have a wide range of ethnicities represented on the resident panel.

·       The timescale for the report being completed was dependent on any future COVID-19 restrictions. The work and recruitment could be held online, though this would not be the preferred means of engagement.

Members asked whether it would be appropriate to take the Data Charter to full Council to be approved. They asked if this could be considered.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted

Report of  the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation.

This report provides an update on:

·       The updated estimates of the financial pressure caused by the COVID-19 crisis and this years’ budget position.

·       The outlook for council funding and spending

·       2020/21 provisional revenue outturn and allocations to reserves

·       2020/21 provisional capital outturn and the shape of the revised capital programme following a review of expenditure and income profiles

·       Recommendations for urgent capital Investment.

·       Key risks associated with the current and projected financial position and service provision.

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, who introduced the report.

Members thanked the Cabinet Member and officers for the report, they felt it was open and transparent.

The Committee raised concerns around the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and property repairs and maintenance due to resident complaints. The Head of Finance said that Camden were continually looking at external sources of funding and making best use of resources. The HRA had not received the same government support as the General Fund and Camden would continue to speak with Government about supporting the account.

In response to Member concerns about vacancies, the Head of Finance explained that the vacancy factor was not a blanket vacancy freeze. Camden were not asking all teams to carry vacancies as it recognised it would not appropriate for every team.

In response to key member questions about the level of reserve funds, the Head of Finance and the Executive Director Corporate Services provided the following comments:

·       Further announcements on government funding for Covid was expected and if any further funding was received it could be used to help address Covid related pressures.

·       Camden had a good track record of living within means and they were confident in the Medium Term Financial Strategy. Reserves were still at the lower end and Camden may want to strengthen them going forward.

A Committee Member asked, in relation to the Temporary Accommodation Purchase Programme, whether Camden had a net higher volume of temporary  accommodation after returning the lease to Englands Lane Hostel. The Head of Finance agreed to find out and provide a response in due course.

Action by: the Head of Finance

In response to Member questions around school funding, the Head of Finance said that there were national pressures in school funding and changes in pupil numbers. Camden were focussed on upgrading and adapting buildings and making best use of them. It was important to ensure Camden had financial reserves to provide financial resilience of schools.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

Report of the Leader of the Council.

Camden 2025 covers all Cabinet portfolios, setting the overarching strategy for the Borough and the Council. This report asks Cabinet to consider and agree  the statement in appendix A, entitled ‘Camden 2025: What we have learned and where we go next’. The statement includes a summary of achievements delivered in response to Camden 2025 and working with our communities, as well as what we have learned as part of responding to the pandemic. This report outlines the Council’s intention to refresh Camden 2025 to ensure that our vision for our communities reflects what we have learned during the pandemic and the reality of the challenges and opportunities that face us now.

Consideration was given to the report of the Leader of the Council. The report was introduced by the Director of Corporate Strategy and Policy Design.

In response to key Member questions the Director of Corporate Strategy and Policy Design made the following comments:

·       The Renewal Commission was a process to establish a direction, it did not have an investment requirement at this stage. There would be a report brought the Committee in November that would set out what was required.

·       A Member pointed out a typographical error on page 50 of the supplementary agenda, in the report it said March 2021 when it should be March 2022.

·       The pandemic was a key driver in the refresh of Camden 2025.

·       Camden’s Building Equal Foundations report was a key document that would be used to inform the refresh. There would be a stronger narrative of antiracism, the Council’s role and the expectation of partner organisations on issues of race.

·       Camden had launched the We Make Camden digital platform which would support social action and provide signposting to practical support.

·       There was also a fund, managed by Camden Giving to provide grants for community activity.

·       The Director of Corporate Strategy and Policy Design agreed to provide more information about We make Camden activity in writing to the Committee.

Action by: the Director of Corporate Strategy and Policy Design

A Member commented that 1000 homes had been built since the 2018 Camden Plan. They asked when Camden expected to reach the lifetime goal of 3000 new homes. The Executive Director Corporate Services said that he would consult Housing colleagues to provide a response.

Action by: Executive Director Corporate Services.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director Corporate Services.

This paper provides a proposed outline of the 2021/22 work programme

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director Corporate Services.

Members raised the following topics and asked that they be incorporated int the work programme, many of which could be integrated into reports already being brought to the Committee.

·       Strategic performance reporting

·       Learning from complaints and members enquiries

·       Staff turnover, sickness, equality and diversity

·       Staff wellbeing and mental health

·       IT strategy

·       2025 update with budget

·       Agency working, Camden talent and apprenticeships

·       Insourcing – objectives, progress and plans for the future.

Action by: Policy officer

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

There was no such business.