Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th November 2023.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th November 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the proceedings there was disturbance from the public galleries. 

The Leader of the Council made an announcement in response to the protest and disruption at the meeting. Councillor Gould acknowledged the huge pain caused in the Camden community from the horrendous images seen and being experienced in Israel and Gaza.  The Councillor Co-Chairs of the Faith Forum and the Acting Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, had met with Muslim and Jewish community leaders who had shared community concerns and fears about the increase in Islamophobic hate crimes and the rise in Antisemitism attacks in recent weeks.   Councillor Gould stated the pride of being a Jewish Leader of the Council, standing alongside Muslim Councillors and Councillors of all faiths and none, standing together for unity in Camden.

Following warnings from both the Mayor and the Chief Executive, the meeting was adjourned at 7.14pm.

The meeting resumed at 7.34pm.

In relation to item 5 and a deputation from the Holly Lodge Residents Association, Councillor Russell declared that she was a resident leaseholder at Holly Lodge and a member of the Holly Lodge Executive Committee and would therefore be leaving the meeting for the duration of that deputation.   

Broadcasting of the meeting

The Mayor announced that the meeting was being broadcast live to the Internet and would remain available for viewing for twelve months, after which it could be made available upon request. Anyone addressing the meeting was 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.

Holocaust Memorial Day

The Mayor announced that this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day event that had taken place in partnership with The Wiener Holocaust Library, JW3 and the Jewish Museum. Holocaust Memorial Day took place on 27th January every year to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest death camp where almost a million Jews had been murdered, of the 6 million who were murdered throughout the Holocaust. Camden's event this year had been a deeply moving event with readings of eyewitness testimonies by the Leader of the Council, the Mayor and Youth MPs. The testimonies had explored in particular the lives of three survivors while remembering the lives of all those who had lost their lives.

Result of the Highgate ward by-election

Following the by-election on 30^th November 2023, the Chief Executive confirmed that Lorna Jane Russell had been duly elected as a ward councillor for Highgate ward.

Announcement by the Leader of the Council

The Leader made a further announcement in response to the disruption at the start of the meeting and began by acknowledging those who had come to protest.

Councillor Gould spoke about the impact and pain felt in response to what had been happening in Israel and Gaza, which had deeply affected those with loved ones in the region and more widely. A huge amount of cohesion work had taken place with Jewish and Muslim community leaders because of the impact that had been felt in Camden.  Councillors had a responsibility to work on community cohesion and against hate crime and a campaign had been launched, Safer Stronger Together, that included working with the police to ensure extra support for the mosques and synagogues in Camden.  

The announcement from Councillor Gould was supported by Leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Groups.   

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cotton, de Alaya Parker,  Harrison and Lenga. Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Madlani and Martin-Lane. 

Requests to address the Council or to present a petition on a matter in which the authority has functions or which affects the area of the authority must be made in writing to the clerk named on the front of this agenda by 12 noon three working days before the meeting.

The first deputation was heard from Grace Livingston, Holly Lodge Residents Association, on the closing of roof exits at Holly Lodge as per the deputation statement circulated to Members and published on the website.

Members then asked questions of the deputee and the Cabinet Member for Better Homes responded to the deputation.

This was followed by a deputation from Ben Pearson, Save London Motorcycling, who presented a petition against the Council’s proposed motorcycling parking charges, as per the deputation statement circulated to Members and published on the website.

Members then asked questions of the deputee and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living responded to the deputation.

A deputation was then heard from Sue Richards, West Hampstead Amenity and Transport Group on the Council’s proposal to discontinue residents’ visitor parking scratch cards and move to online visitor permits, as per the deputation statement circulated to Members and published on the website.

Members then asked questions of the deputee and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living responded to the deputation.

The Cabinet Member for Voluntary Sector, Equalities and Cohesion and the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families will introduce the topic.

There will then be contributions from experts and community representatives, followed by questions and discussion.

Finally, the Cabinet Member for Voluntary Sector, Equalities and Cohesion and the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families will sum up.

Councillor Boyland and Councillor Shah introduced the report and the Council heard from the following speakers:-

·        Terry Galloway, a Co-founder of Care Leaver Local Offer, welcomed the opportunity to address the Council and spoke from personal experience about growing up in care, time spent in a hundred different placements, being separated from family and how this had negatively impacted the lives of Terry’s siblings and their life chances.  Terry was the leading campaigner to make being Care Experienced a protected characteristic, and commented that it should have been included in the Equalities Act because of the disproportionate barriers experienced by care leavers. Camden would be the 76^th Council in the UK to make this commitment and the Council was thanked for proposing the Motion and the difference it would make to understanding the lives of the care experienced.   

·        Lemn Sissay, a care experienced author, broadcaster and poet, spoke about 38 years ago and walking barefoot from Euston to Islington to campaign about the prejudice against children in care, that unfortunately still existed today. Lemn spoke of being a proud trustee of the Foundling Museum that was based in Camden, a campaigning Council for the human rights of its citizens and children. Lemn had many questions: Why do the Care Experienced have the worst outcomes of any other group in the UK? Why were they more likely to die prematurely, be homeless, leave the care system without support and be more traumatised than when they entered it? Why was there a postcode lottery for how being looked after was experienced? Why did being Care experienced make you more vulnerable to Child Sexual Exploitation? Where were the rights and equalities for the Care Experienced so that they could be free from stigma and discrimination?  By making Care Experience a protected characteristic, Camden as a Corporate Parent, would protect children and cater to the needs and challenges faced by Care Experienced people.    

·        Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive of Family Rights Group, spoke about an inquiry into the care system in 2013 that had concluded that the care system often broke rather than built relationships for children. This situation had not improved, with children in care in London now living on average 16 miles from their families. Committing to Care Experience becoming a locally protected characteristic would demonstrate a commitment to valuing and nurturing the relationships of all children in care and care leavers. In 2017 Life Long Links had been developed by the Family Rights Group and Camden to maintain a support network of family members and connections chosen by the child, with a plan in place to develop those relationships. Life Long Links (LLL) had been shown to improve mental health, a sense of wellbeing and identity and reduce the risk of homelessness. Camden had been the first local authority that had committed to providing LLL to care leavers to the age of 25. The Council had a role in realising the aim to ensure that other authorities do  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Leader of the Council will make a statement, followed by responses from the Leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Groups and then the Leader to sum up.  There will then be questions from Members to the Leader and Cabinet Members.

(There are no pages for this part of the agenda.)

Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of the Council, made a statement to those present. Councillor Tom Simon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, and  Councillor Gio Spinella, Leader of the Conservative Group, made statements in response and then Councillor Gould made some final remarks.

The Leader and Cabinet Members then took questions from Members as follows:-

·        Councillor Athian asked the Cabinet Member for Voluntary Sector, Equalities  and Cohesion about safety in Primrose Hill following the death of a young man on New Years Eve. Local residents had told Councillor Athian how unsafe they had felt in the park and had asked about the lack of investment in safety measures by Royal Parks. What was Camden’s message to Royal Parks? Councillor Shah extended her condolences to the family and friends of Harry Pittman who had died as a result of the incident on New Year’s Eve.  Safety was an important concern for local residents and ward Councillors.  Lack of CCTV and lighting in the park were of significant concern and Royal Parks was failing in their role as custodians of the park if people were feeling frightened. Camden wanted to hear from Royal Parks about their plans to invest in the park and would work with them and the local community to make improvements. In response to a supplementary question, Councillor Shah welcomed the opportunity to consider suggestions from local residents and work with Royal Parks to find solutions to safety issues.   

·        Councillor Russell asked the Cabinet Member for Better Homes about the inspection by the Housing Ombudsmen into the handling of complaints about damp and mould in Camden housing. What plans were in place to improve the handling of complaints and to ensure the repairs system and Camden’s homes were fit for purpose? Councillor Apak responded that  all residents had been written to about damp and mould and that over 6 thousand reports had been received in response. Camden had invested heavily in this work area and for the first time there had been Saturday repair appointments, that had been convenient for residents and had helped to help clear the back log. This year there had been an 88% reduction in enquiries but there were more improvements that could be made. In response to a supplementary question Councillor Apak reaffirmed the commitment to reducing enquires and improving complaint response times.

·        Councillor Spinella asked the Cabinet Member for Safer Communities about what steps had been taken by the Council, alongside the Police, to address the significant increase in the number of thefts from shops and  the rise in domestic burglaries in the borough. In response Councillor Callaghan spoke about how people were struggling to cope in a cost of living crisis, that there was an epidemic of drug related crime nationally and that anti-social behaviour remained a priority for the safer communities portfolio. Adding that, the Council had continued to work  closely with partner organisations, including the Metropolitan Police, to respond to concerns raised by residents. Partnerships to combat drugs had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Report of the Borough Solicitor

Consideration was given to a report of the Borough Solicitor.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

Report of the Borough Solicitor

Consideration was given to a report of the Borough Solicitor and it was

RESOLVED –

THAT Councillor Lorna Jane Russell be appointed as a member of the following committees:

-         Audit and Corporate Governance Committee,

-         Audit and Corporate Governance (Appointments Panel) Sub-Committee and

-         Standards Committee

Reference from Cabinet meeting.  

Consideration was given to a report and reference from the Cabinet, which was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture.  

RESOLVED –

THAT the Youth Justice Plan 2023-25 be approved.

Reference from Cabinet meeting.  

Consideration was given to a report and reference from the Cabinet, which was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living.

RESOLVED –

THAT the following be agreed:-

i)        THAT the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme, be updated with minor wording amendments to reflect legislative changes and prescribed requirements made by central government (as explained in paragraph 2.4 of the report), and as set out in Appendix B of the report, continues from 1 April 2024, and that a review be carried out by summer 2024 in order for a decision in January 2025 to consider options for the Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2025/26; and

ii)      THAT authority be delegated to the Director of Finance to make changes to the scheme during 2024/25 to reflect any requirements set by Government to either the prescribed regulations for pensioners or the local working age scheme to ensure that the scheme remains legally consistent and up to date as the legislation changes.

Reference from Cabinet meeting.

Consideration was given to a report from the Cabinet, which was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living.

RESOLVED –

THAT the Treasury Management Annual Report (paragraphs 3.3-3.18 of the report) and the Mid-year Strategy (paragraphs 3.19-3.45 of the report) outlined in the report be approved.

Reference from Cabinet meeting.

The report was taken as read and it was:-

RESOLVED –

THAT the following be agreed:

(i)             THAT the calculation of the Council Tax Base for the year 2024/2025 as set out in appendix 1 be approved.

(ii)            THAT in accordance with Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by the London Borough of Camden as its Council Tax Base for the year 2024/2025 shall be 91,675 as shown in appendix 1.

(iii)          THAT the tax base for the three Garden Squares as shown in appendix 2 shall be as follows:

Gordon Square                            23.93

Fitzroy Square                              53.84   

Mecklenburgh Square                  94.52

(iv)          THAT the approach and assumptions for the calculation of the Council’s business rates yield as set out in appendix 3 be approved.

(v)           THAT, in accordance with the Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013, the amount calculated by the London Borough of Camden as its business rates yield for the year 2024-2025 shall be c£676.2 million as shown in line 17 of Appendix 3.

(vi)          THAT authority be delegated to the Executive Director Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living, to make any adjustments to the calculation of the estimated business rates yield for year 2024-2025. This is to reflect any technical amendments to the calculations or late regulatory changes made by the Treasury or in respect of the former London Pilot Pool.

(vii)         THAT authority be delegated to the Executive Director Corporate Services to submit the notification of the calculation of the estimated Non-Domestic Rates income to the Secretary of State and the Greater London Authority.

Report of the Cabinet Member for New Homes, Jobs and Community Investment.

This item was not considered due to lack of time.

Consideration was given to the following motion, notice of which was given by Councillor Boyland and which was seconded by Councillor Shah:- 

Camden Council recognises: 

• Every elected member and employee of this Council is a corporate parent to the children and care leavers in our care. 
• We are all responsible for providing the best possible care, safeguarding and outcomes for the children who are looked after by us. 
• This borough’s commitment to its children and young people, the importance of its youth mission and the recognition that early intervention and prevention provides the best way to give the best start in life for all our residents. 
• That councils have a duty to put the needs of vulnerable people at the heart of decision-making through co-production and collaboration. 

Camden Council notes: 

• A University College London study which showed 70% of care experienced people die early. Over 50% of people who are in custody up to the age of 21 have been in care according to the Become Charity, and a quarter of the homeless population is care experienced, as noted by The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care. 
• Many people who are care-experienced face discrimination, stigma, and prejudice in their daily lives. This can be explicit and often comes with assumptions about the characteristics of children and adults who have experience of the care system. The stigma and discrimination can also be implicit and are evidenced in how care experience is discussed in schools, workplaces, and the media. 
• Such unconscious bias can, at its worst, lead to care-experienced people facing acute societal difficulties such as being refused employment, failing to succeed in education or facing unfair judgments about their ability to parent. Such discrimination can be similar to that faced by other groups with a legally protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. 
• The Government commissioned an independent national review of children’s social care, chaired by Josh MacAlister. The review visited Camden for one of its deep dives, and one recommendation was to look at making care experience an additional protected characteristic. 

Camden Council believes: 

• Our children in care and those who have left care have the right to expect everything from a corporate parent that would be expected from a good and responsible parent. This includes how families continue their support, care, and ambition for their children after they leave home and gain independence including through employment opportunities. 
• That we cannot wait until the Government decides which recommendations to implement and therefore, here in Camden, we should act to be the best corporate parents we can be. 
• That when making any decisions in relation to our policies or formulating our Corporate Plans, we should recognise care experienced people as a vulnerable group who face discrimination. 

·       That whilst we cannot change national legislation, we can use our powers to ensure that the Council consider care experienced people as part of its decision making in order to seek to prevent discrimination and improve life chances, in doing this. This will mean that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

During this part of the meeting any Member may make a contribution of up to two minutes primarily on any matter which affects their ward.

(There are no pages for this part of the agenda.)

This item was not considered due to lack of time.

There was no urgent business.

Having adjourned between 7.14pm and 7.34pm, and having suspended Council procedure rules in order to extend the meeting, the meeting ended at 10.14pm.