Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Members will be asked to declare any pecuniary, non-pecuniary and any other interests in respect of items on the agenda.

Councillor Sharon Hardwick declared for transparency in relation to item 9 on the agenda (Libraries and their Neighbourhoods) that she worked for the Chartered Institute of Library Professionals.

Councillor Stark declared that in relation to the first deputation (Council plans and traffic orders on Fleet Road NW3 pertaining to the South End Streatery) the deputee had raised concerns about him contributing to this item citing a conflict of interest. Although he had meetings with the Council on the issue, he was not involved in the decision-making process. He had also attended meetings of the Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum as a Coopted member as were the Frognal and Gospel Oak ward members, and was of the view that attending meetings of the Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum would not impact his judgement in contributing to this item.

Councillor Madlani declared in relation to item 8 (Camden Transport Strategy Delivery Plan 2025-2028 and Local Implementation Plan) that he was an Emeritus Governor at the London School of Economics and a number of his colleagues were running a campaign relating to the Holborn Station intersection.

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 can be viewed on our website for six months after the meeting.  After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available on DVD upon request.

If you are seated in the room 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.”

Any other announcements

The Chair announced that the meeting was broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and could be viewed on the website for six months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts were archived and could be made available on DVD upon request. Those who were seated in the Council Chamber or participated via Teams were deemed to have consented to their contributions being recorded and broadcast and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.

Variation of order of business

In accordance with paragraph 10 of the Constitution, Committee Procedure rules, the Chair proposed and the Committee agreed to vary the order of reports on the agenda and take the Draft North London Joint Waste Strategy report item 10 before item 9, the Libraries report.

Requests to speak at the Committee on a matter within its terms of reference must be made in writing to the clerk named on the front of this agenda by 5pm two working days before the meeting.

The Chair informed members that seven deputations had been received and accepted, copies of the deputation statements were included in the supplementary agenda. In addition, Councillor Lorna Russell had requested to speak on the Dartmouth Park Area Petition item.

• 4 deputations related to item 7 – Response to Petition to extend the Dartmouth Park Area Healthy Neighbourhood Consultation Deadline and these would be taken at the start of that item.

• 2 deputations related to item 8 – Camden Transport Strategy Delivery Plan 2025 -2028 and Local Implementation Plan and would be taken at the start of that item.

• The final deputation wasfrom a group of Fleet Road residents with regards to Council plans and traffic orders on Fleet Road NW3 pertaining to the South End Green Streatery – This item would be taken after consideration of item 5 and the minutes item 6.

Fleet Road Residents Deputation

Consideration was given to the deputation statement referred to above.

The following response was given by the deputee to members questions:

• The new planned proposals were that the number 24 bus would stop and wait on Fleet Road rather than use the bus terminus. It did not matter how much pressure was put on TfL the buses had to wait somewhere.

Anthony Christofi Transport and Design Manager, Sam Margolis (Head of Transport Strategy and Projects) and Richard Bradbury, (Director of Environment and Sustainability) made the following comments in response to the deputations and members questions:

• The Southend Green and Heathy Street Scheme aimed to create healthier, safer and more accessible streets and a new public space with greening and seating for community use that would contribute to the south end green village character and identity as a neighbourhood centre.
• Having learnt lessons from previous trials and due to a long standing ask from local people to close a slip road, proposals were developed for the area which were consulted on over a period of 4 weeks in September and October 2022.
• The consultation involved setting up consultation pages on Camden’s We are Camden Citizens Space seeking people’s views, 2,700 postcards were sent to residents, businesses and local stakeholder groups in the vicinity of the proposed scheme asking for their feedback.
• During the consultation 69% of respondents supported the proposals.
• Following the consultation time was taken to consider the feedback and meet with stakeholders including TfL to understand concerns and to find ways to mitigate issues highlighted.
• A period of detailed design was required as well as ground surveys to provide the information required to revise the scheme, including information from TfL on a new electric bus platform that would struggle to make turns required for both bus services that used the Crescent area, something which neither parties were aware of during the early development of the scheme.
• Following consultation and refinement of the proposals a decision was taken in August 2024 to move ahead with the scheme, with some elements made permanent and the re-routing and standing of buses as an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

There was none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th October 2024.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 7th October 2024 be signed as an accurate record.

Report of the Director of Environment and Sustainability

This report is in response to a petition which was received by the Council in regard to extending the Dartmouth Park Area Healthy Neighbourhood consultation deadline. The petition states, ‘We’re asking for an extension, explanation of the purpose and objectives and real consultation.’ The petition received 2308 signatures, of those 595 signatures are Camden addresses. The report outlines the Council’s response in addressing the key issues raised in the petition.

As part of our Camden Transport Strategy programme of works, officers have developed initial proposals for a “Healthy Neighbourhood” in the area of Dartmouth Park covering Highgate, Kentish Town North ward and part of the London Borough of Islington.

The project’s main aims are:

·         Make the area greener, healthier, and more pleasant to spend time in, with new plants, trees, and seating.

·         Create safer streets in the area for children to travel independently, feel confident walking, scooting, and cycling, and with new areas for play.

·         Reduce traffic in the area to make local streets quieter, less polluted, and safer to walk and cycle around.

·         Support local businesses to thrive; and

·         Improve health and wellbeing through cleaner air and by making it easier to walk, cycle and wheel.

This Healthy Neighbourhood project has just undergone a six-week Phase 2 Engagement with local people to collect feedback and comments on initial proposals shared. This phase 2 engagement was the second phase of a 3-phase process of engagement for the project.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Environment and Sustainability which was a response to a petition.

The petition requested that the Council extend the consultation period for the scheme, conduct proper consultation and provide an explanation of the purpose and objectives of the scheme.

In considering the petition, the Committee heard from Andrew Sulston (Chair Highgate Society) (Lead petitioner) and Charlotte Alderson (a local resident) who expressed their concerns over the limited time period taken to engage with all stakeholders, the apparent lack of a well-designed plan based on robust data which would lead to long term congestion and pollution in surrounding areas impacting many lower income households. Agreeing with the Transport Secretary’s view that LTNs should be implemented with local community support and asserting that the Council’s delivery of the co-design phase was inadequate, they asked that the Committee either recommend that the Council re-run the co-design or that the phase 3 consultation period be extended from the standard four weeks to twelve weeks.

The Committee also heard deputations from David Metz, Jeremy Leach, Chair of London Living Streets, Stephen King, 4 Roads Group and Graeme Blythe parent of a local primary school pupil (who were broadly in support of the Councils proposals for the Dartmouth Park Area LTN). The Committee also heard from Councillor Lorna Russell who noted that it was a complex scheme that would bring about significant change to the area and therefore felt it was critical that time be taken to get the scheme right considering data, evidence, and the views of residents and local groups.

In their response to the petition officers stated that “engagement and consultation were a highly valued part of the Council’s Healthy Streets scheme development. The views of residents, businesses and stakeholders were used to gauge the overall level of support or objection to a proposal and also impact on revisions of plans/designs, for example to either improve the scheme or respond to issues that Officers may not have been aware of.

Officers advised that the views of the borough’s communities played an important part in the decision-making process, alongside relevant data and policies, which all helped to create the final scheme”.  As such in November 2021 Camden’s Cabinet approved the Council’s approach to consultation and decision-making for healthy streets transport schemes.

Officers highlighted how the Dartmouth Park Area Healthy Neighbourhood project aligned with the Council’s adopted approach to engagement and consultation for a ‘large’ scheme of this type. It was also noted that prior to the current scheme, similar proposals were under consideration by the Council and requested, for a number of years (since 2017/18) by stakeholders across the Highgate Ward.

During the discussion Committee members sought clarity from the petitioners on the number of responses from residents that they would regard as adequate, given that the report highlighted that 2,000 responses had been received during the engagement phase. Officers were asked how responsive the Council was to feedback from the data and real-life experience  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden

Transport plays an integral part in the lives and well-being of Camden residents and those who visit, work and study in the borough. Creating healthier, greener, safer streets and travel helps improve public health and the environment, and supports local businesses and a strong, sustainable and inclusive economy. Although significant challenges remain, we have made extensive progress in delivering safer, healthier streets and travel in Camden since the Camden Transport Strategy (CTS) was adopted in 2019. Camden is currently ranked 4th amongst all London Boroughs by the independent “Healthy Streets Scorecard” assessment.

This report updates Cabinet on where we are now in delivering the current Camden transport strategy including healthier, safer streets and transport across Camden, and uses that information, alongside prioritisation methodologies, stakeholder feedback and other considerations such as funding to propose the next CTS Delivery Plan for 2025/26 to 2027/28. It also seeks approval for proposals for TfL “Local Implementation Plan” (LIP) funding bid submissions, and for further Council Capital “Healthy Streets” funding to support the 3-year plan. In the new 3-year plan we have recommended 3 new “spotlight” areas: buses, car clubs and motorcycle safety, alongside an EQIA on the new Delivery Plan.

In line with previously approved transport strategy processes, each individual project within the proposed 3-year Delivery Plan is subject to scheme-by-scheme consultation and decision-making processes, equality considerations and funding availability. We will also consider how relevant projects within the programme contribute to our three overarching themes of public health, environment, and local economy.

Consideration was given to the deputation statements referred to in Item 4 above.

The following responses were given by the deputees to members questions:

• With regards to the Holborn intersection, Camden Cycling Campaign commended the Council for making permanent a number of cycle ways, particularly the transformational changes to the Holborn Gyratory where sadly there had been some accidents resulting in deaths to cyclists.
• Camden Cycling Campaign were pleased with the changes made to Clerkenwell Road and in responding to the consultation had made some suggested improvements to the plan.
• With regards to Kings Cross, TfL had not finished the work on the cycle lanes on York Way and not provided the plans to show how the cycle lanes would safely and conveniently cross the busy Euston Road and Kings Cross.
• Camden Cycle Campaign were happy to work with the Council in engaging with TfL on their plans for the borough.
• With regards to the 603 buses, it arrived half an hour before school closed, the only way school children could use the bus was if school closed early. Alternatives were the 210 and 268 buses which were dangerous options for the children because it involved crossing Whitestone Pond which was a very busy road. An option was to have crossing guards on a section of the road but that would not solve the problem.
• There was the need to have a bus going up the road from South Hampstead all through Hampstead and to tweak the existing bus schedule due to it getting dark quite early in the evening by 4.30pm and 7am in the morning.
• Even the Police agreed that the area was open woodland and dangerous particularly when dark for children getting off buses at that time in the area.
• TfL had not provided any response to the issues raised and it would be helpful if the Council could assist in raising these issues.

Richard Bradbury, (Director of Environment and Sustainability), Sam Margolis (Head of Transport Strategy and Projects) and the Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden made the following comments in response to the deputations and members questions:

• Camden Cycling Campaign were thanked for their broad support of the Council’s three-year Delivery and Local Implementation Plan and engagement responses in the development of the plan, recognition of the targets, specific schemes and policies proposed.
• Officers noted Camden Cyclists disappointment with the lack of progress in developing a workplace parking levy, however provided reassurance that work was ongoing and the initial feasibility was almost complete and being considered ahead of next steps.
• The Council was pleased to see the growth to just under 7% of resident trips in the borough now being made by bike and further measures were proposed to reach the Council’s longer-term goal of 10% of residents’ trips by bike by 2030 and 15% by 2041.
• Officers also wished Jean Dollymore (Camden Cyclist) a very happy 90^th birthday which she had celebrated in October. The Committee was informed that she  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Report of the Director of Recreation

Camden Libraries are reaching more people and had the second highest adult engagement rate in England in the year 2023/24. The libraries are developing as neighbourhood spaces through changes to the buildings, improved digital offer, supporting digital inclusion and working with communities, community partners and other stakeholders to develop resident focused spaces, developing reading skills in children, young people and adults to improve wellbeing, and employability.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Recreation.

Committee members made the following comments;

·       The report was very much welcomed, Camden was hugely respected across the Library sector as evidenced by the range of organisations such as the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Arts Council England that were present at the training event organised by the Council.

·       It was good that the Council was exploring different pathways into the sector such as training on the job.

·       Libraries were not just a nice service to have, for marginalised residents and those in areas of deprivation in a mixed borough such as Camden they served as free access to knowledge and cultural enrichment in a safe and trusted place.

Oliver Jones, Director of Recreation and Fiona Tarn, Head of Libraries, made the following comments in response to Committee members questions:

·       In terms of routes into the library profession, the Council had been working closely with CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) who had carried out a skills audit of the Council’s library team to find out areas that required development, and the different opportunities available to develop the team.

·       Apprenticeships had been considered and a commitment had been made to have at least one apprenticeship at level 3 in the service at any one time.

·       Consideration was also being given to investing in the Libraries team to provide pathways into professional qualifications and professional recognition via CILIP.

·       The Council had also commissioned the reading agency to work with the team to develop a reading strategy for all ages in Camden.

·       In terms of the green agenda, Camden was trailblazing in terms of decarbonising its library buildings. The Council had invested £3.7m in Swiss Cottage Library decarbonisation works, Highgate Library was about to reopen after a £1.8m investment and West Hampstead Library was due to close on 18^th November for £500,000 investment in decarbonisation.

·       Kentish Town Library had a cargo bike and Queen’s Crescent Library was due to receive one which would support the green agenda.  Library of things were present in two libraries also supporting sustainability.

·       Kilburn Library was due to close for a redesign project next May so options were being considered as to where the Library of Things might go in the interim while the work was carried out at Kilburn.

·       Camden no longer had a mobile library but does have s a Home Library Service which provided a service to vulnerable residents as well as a digital library. Only LB Barnet had a mobile service in London.

·       In terms of schools, the Council’s Library Service was very proactive working in conjunction with the British library on a number of initiatives, including developing a group for school librarians in Camden to form a network to strengthen the links between public libraries and school libraries similar to the Haringey British Library Support network.

·       Other initiatives with schools and the British Library included the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Report of the Managing Director, North London Waste Authority

The draft North London Joint Waste Strategy (the Strategy) is a statutory requirement and is a joint strategy between Barnet Council, Camden Council, Enfield Council, Hackney Council, Haringey Council, Islington Council, the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) and Waltham Forest Council. The Strategy will guide our work for the next fifteen years and through the aims and activities as set out in the document, will help north London move towards a low waste, sustainable future.

NLWA is facilitating a public consultation on the Strategy, seeking views from residents, business and local communities to ensure a fully rounded and robust final Strategy is developed which draws on a wide range of views and expertise. The consultation will be over a 12-week period and will close on 19 January 2025. Adoption of the Strategy is expected in 2025.

Consideration was given to the report of the Managing Director of the North London Waste Authority.

Martin Capstick, Managing Director, Eleanor Hayward, Senior Strategy and Policy Manager and Isaac Rosen, Senior Strategy and Policy Manager made the following comments in response to Committee members questions:

·       The North London Waste Authority (NLWA) were part of an overall joint delivery strategy for North London. Camden collected the waste and relied on NLWA to dispose of the waste by using their facilities.

·       NLWA relied on understanding what residents in Camden were generating in their household waste so that the Waste Authority could plan and deliver accordingly.

·       In relation to how people were kept informed of NLWA activities and key updates, the Waste Authority aimed to be as open and transparent as possible by producing an annual report and publishing this on the website. Some Councils had requested regular attendance at scrutiny meetings.

·       NLWA officers were happy to be guided by its members as to how they should be best kept informed of its activities and strategies.

·       The NLWA also produced regular two-to-three-year action plans setting out what it could do to improve the environmental performance of the waste sector. This set a sense of direction and some thought could be put in to how members could be engaged with those action plans.

·       In terms of the climate emergency, in consulting with residents there was a strong recognition amongst them that waste was a contributor to the climate emergency both in consumption and disposal of waste so action to reduce and manage waste in the right way could deliver a strong climate benefit.

·       Members were also clear that tackling the climate emergency was a key priority of the waste strategy both in the collection and disposal of waste.

·       There was a limitation to what the Waste Authority could do to control the waste received and was a reason why it wanted to work in partnership with the government and manufacturers.

·       The more things were reused and recycled, the more waste was reduced, the better the environmental outcome.

·       In terms of lobbying, NLWA was the second largest waste disposal authority in the country. It was close to Westminster and regularly dealt with government officers and had a powerful voice.

·       The most promising area for environmental improvement was increasing the polluter pays principle which referred to manufacturers paying into a fund in accordance with the amount of packaging they produced. This drove behaviour change as it served as an incentive to improve packaging making it more recyclable. 

·       In terms of disposal of harmful/difficult materials, NLWA was generally guided by Environment Agency rules and research rather than a particular north London approach.

·       In terms of plastics, there had been steps taken by the government to reduce plastics and were strong supporters of the deposit return scheme which encouraged people to recycle and put plastics in the right place so that it could have a new life after its initial use.

·       In terms of the North London Heat  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Report of the Executive Director Supporting Communities.

This paper provides an update on the work programme for the Committee for the 2024/25 municipal year and tracks actions from previous meetings.

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director Supporting Communities.

Resolved:

That the report be noted

There was none.

Having applied committee procedure rule 19(a) at 9.30pm the meeting ended at 9.39pm.