Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations of interest.

Webcasting of the Meeting

The Chair to announce the following: “In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record and film public meetings, I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and will be capable of repeated viewing and copies of the recording could be made available to those that request them.

If you are seated in the chamber it is likely that the Council’s cameras will capture your image and you are deemed to be consenting to being filmed and to the use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes.  If you are addressing the Committee your contribution will be recorded and broadcast unless you have already indicated that you do not wish this to happen.

If you wish to avoid appearing on the Council’s webcast you should move to one of the galleries.”

Any Other Announcements

The Chair reminded those present that the meeting was being broadcast live by the Council and was recorded and later made available on the website.  Those addressing the meeting were deemed to be consenting to having their contributions recorded and broadcast.

Requests to address the Cabinet on a matter on its agenda must be made in writing to the clerk named on the front of this agenda by 5pm two working days before the meeting.

There were no deputations.

There was no notification of urgent business.

On occasions part of a Cabinet meeting will be held in private and not open to the public, if an item is being considered which is likely to lead to the disclosure of exempt or confidential information. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, members of the public can make representations about why that part of the meeting should be open to the public.

No such representations were received in respect of items on this agenda.

No representations were received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th November 2024.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th November 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting items referred from a Council Scrutiny Committee requiring urgent consideration will be taken.

There were no matters referred.

Please note that there were no alternative options considered or rejected by the Cabinet for the following items, unless indicated, although Cabinet Members duly considered, where applicable, options listed within the reports.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Better Homes

This report recommends developing a prototype Retrofit Test Model targeting a relatively small sample of circa 3,000 of the Council’s homes.

The model will test and develop principles as part of a prototype to reduce carbon emissions at scale across our housing stock while providing lower energy costs for residents. The proposed approach is the first of its kind at any significant scale. It is required as London Councils estimate that current grant-funded retrofit schemes will only reach between 2% and 3% of homes in the capital. The project aligns with work by Government to improve energy security with support from institutional investment, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation.

The model will test a phased approach to retrofit. It will see the installation of solar panels and battery storage to around 3,000 Council’s homes (9% of the overall stock). Should it be successful it will lay the foundation for further retrofit work to the initial sample of 3,000 homes – for example heat pump installation or fabric measures.

More significantly, principles developed for and by the Retrofit Test Model could subsequently be used to develop another more extensive model which could be rolled out more widely across the Council’s housing stock.

Under the proposed approach, the intention is that the supplier will be an institutional investor who will part fund the works. The energy generated means that residents receive lower bills and part of the saving is used to pay back the investment. The resident receives a single bill which captures all this, which is generated by a billing platform unique to the project. The prototype, including the capital works required, will be delivered through a special purpose vehicle.

The properties that will be added to the pilot are those with poorer energy ratings and where residents will benefit from the energy provided by the panels and battery storage. This will form an important part of the Council’s work to make sure all homes achieve a Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of band “C” or above.

Because the model is the first of its kind to be mobilised at any significant scale, based on pre-market engagement, it appears there is likely to be a very limited supplier pool of organisations who potentially have the resources, capacity and capability to collaborate with the Council and develop the detailed financial and legal structure to deliver the requirements of the Council’s prototype and positive outcomes sought for residents.

As explored in the report, expert legal advice has been obtained, and the proposed approach is to publish a transparency notice, which may lead to a subsequent decision to make a direct award of a contract to operate the Retrofit Test Model.

The report is coming to the Cabinet because the ultimate gross value of the contract over 30 years is estimated as being £68.2m.

Part II: Exempt from Publication

This report has an appendix which contains information exempt within the meaning of Schedule  ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Better Homes that was introduced by the Leader of the Council.

Members commented on the role of officers in the innovation of the scheme and noted the work on engagement with tenants and residents about the proposals.  In response to questions, Councillor Olszewski commented that there was support for grant funding and interest from the financial sector in developing the proposals.

RESOLVED –

THAT, having considered the Equality Impact Assessment (Appendix A), and having had due regard to the needs set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:

(a)            The establishment of a bespoke Retrofit Prototype Test Model targeted at a sample 3,000 homes (9% of Council stock) designed to test principles for reducing carbon emissions while providing lower energy costs for residents be approved

(b)            That authority be delegated to the Executive Director Supporting Communities following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Cost of Living, the Cabinet Member for Better Homes and the Executive Director Corporate Services, the power to take all decisions and operational actions required to develop and implement the prototype Retrofit Test Model, this to include:

·       Agreement of the detailed heads of terms and specifications for the model following financial and legal due diligence

·       Serving of transparency notices as specified under the Procurement Act 2023

·       Approval of the procurement strategy/contract award once all relevant procurement notices, have been issued and internal governance and due diligence completed

 Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living

This report provides an update on:

·       The Council’s current financial position and the risks, issues and uncertainties facing the Council over the medium term,

·       The latest outlook for the Council’s funding and spending,

·       The economic outlook,

·       The Council’s forecast outturn position for 2024/25 and commentary on areas with particular financial pressures,

·       The financial position of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account,

·       The 2024 Autumn Budget, Spending Review and Provisional Local Government Financial Settlement,

·       Recommended Fees & Charges for 2025/26,

·       The Council’s financial resilience and sustainability,

·       The Council’s reserves position, including planned use

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member Finance and Cost of Living.

Councillor Aref-Adib summarised the financial challenges faced by the Council, referred to the  fiscal position of other local authorities and the acute funding challenges experienced by Councils nationally.

In response to questions, the Cabinet Member remarked that the 50% increase in families seeking accommodation had impacted all of London and was due to several factors, including a crisis in the lack of social housing and that the private rented sector was unaffordable for most households. Part of the Council’s response were proposals for the development of a new hostel and the redevelopment of a further hostel to help address the issue. 

In response to further questions, Councillor Aref-Adib explained that delays in the accommodation strategy had been due to the construction sector and the complexity of the sites being developed. 

Asked about the deficit in childrens social care, Councillor Aref-Adib outlined the Council’s response to the strain on services and cost of dealing with complex cases of children in care. This had included the development of care services that, as well as delivering the best outcomes for children and young people, would also provide value for money and manage resources effectively.   

Members welcomed the report and the Leader of the Council commended officers for their management of the Council’s finances.

RESOLVED –

a)    THAT the continued challenging and uncertain funding and economic outlook for the Council as set out in Paragraphs 2.4 to 2.17 of the report, along with the Council’s latest financial forecast for the year in Paragraphs 2.18 to 2.21 be noted.

b)    THAT the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account along with proposals to improve its financial sustainability, as detailed in Paragraphs 2.45 to 2.51 be noted.

c)     In relation to fees and charges discussed in Paragraphs 2.60 to 2.61 and Appendix A:

                             i.            THAT authority be delegated to the relevant Executive Director to agree increases to existing fees and charges up to a maximum of 7%, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holders.

                           ii.            THAT the supporting information in Appendix A in respect of all new fees and charges and those fees and charges where the proposed increase is over 7% be noted.

                              iii.        THAT the new fees and charges, and all proposed increases which exceed 7%, as shown in Appendix A be agreed, and authority be delegated to the relevant Executive Director to introduce those changes.

                             iv.        THAT authority be delegated to the Executive Director Corporate Services to reduce specific fees and charges in exceptional cases, as outlined in Paragraph 2.61.

d)    THAT the Council’s planned use of reserves, as summarised in Paragraphs 2.71 to 2.73 and Appendix B be agreed.

e)    THAT the summary of the Autumn Budget, Spending Review and Provisional Local Government Financial Settlement in Paragraphs 2.52 to 2.57 be noted.

f)      THAT the risks to the Council, as summarised in Section Four of the report be noted.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living

This report sets out Camden’s proposals to provide a Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTS) for the year 2025/26.

Camden’s current scheme is one of the most generous CTS schemes in the country with income bands based on the London Living Wage uprated annually. Over 16,100 households (including over 5,300 pensioners) in Camden currently receive 100% support and do not pay any Council Tax. 

Against a backdrop of families continuing to struggle financially, Camden’s commitment to the scheme continues whilst many councils both in London and across the country are having to reduce levels of support under their schemes in response to wider budget pressures.  

It is proposed that the current scheme remains in place for 2025/26, with income bands uplifted in line with the new levels for the London Living Wage announced on 23 October 2024. The report is coming to the Cabinet as the Local Government Finance Act 2012 amends the Local Government Finance Act 1992 by setting out the requirement for the Council to formally agree a CTS scheme on an annual basis.

In addition to separately to approving the scheme, Cabinet is asked to confirm our ongoing support, using discretionary powers under Section 134 (8) of The Social Security Administration Act 1992 (in relation to Housing Benefit award), to disregard 100% of war widows (widowers) / war disablement scheme income and income from the armed forces compensation scheme from housing benefit eligibility assessments.   

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member Finance and Cost of Living.

Councillor Aref-Adib spoke about the proposals in the report, and how positive it was that Camden would be able to continue with the Council Tax reduction scheme to support those on the lowest incomes in the borough.    

Members welcomed the report and the support that would be provided to so many during a time of financial pressures and difficult funding decisions for the Council.  

RESOLVED –

THAT having due regard to the obligations set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and the Equalities Impact Assessment at Appendix C:

(i)              THAT the Council be recommended to agree that, from 1 April 2025, the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme is updated to reflect the new London Living Wage amount in our income bands as set out in Appendix B.

(ii)             THAT the Council be recommended to delegate authority to the Director of Finance to make changes to the approved scheme during 2025/26 to reflect any requirements set by Government to either the prescribed regulations for pensioners or the local working age scheme to ensure the scheme remains legally consistent and up to date as the legislation changes.

(iii)           THAT the Housing Benefit Service can continue to disregard all     income from War Widows (Widowers) pensions or War Disablement pensions, rather than just the first £10 of income when assessing entitlement to housing benefits be agreed.

(iv)           THAT the Housing Benefit Service can disregard all income from the ‘armed forces compensation scheme’ rather than just the first £10 of income when assessing entitlement to housing benefits be agreed.  

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

There was no urgent business.