Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th January 2024.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Mayor reminded Members of the advice of the Borough Solicitor in respect of Items 10(a) and 10(c) which had been circulated prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Broadcasting of the meeting

The Mayor announced that the meeting was being broadcast live to the internet and the broadcast would remain available for twelve months, after which it could be made available on request. Anyone addressing the meeting was deemed to be consenting to having their contribution recorded and broadcast and to the use of those recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes.

Waiver of procedure rules

The Mayor proposed, and it was agreed, to allow one hour for the consideration of Item 10(a) and that the tabled amendments to the budget would be taken under this item.  It was also proposed and agreed that the Scrutiny Chairs be permitted one minute each for closing remarks at the end of Item 11, the Annual Joint Report of the Scrutiny Chairs.

LGBT History Month and Trans Day of Remembrance

Councillor Madlani reminded those present that February had been LBGT History Month and he thanked those who joined one or more of the many events that had taken place, thanking the Mayor in particular.  He added that 31^st March was Trans Day of Remembrance, and he asked those present to show their support for the Trans community in the borough.

International Women’s Day

Councillor Greenwood reminded those present that Friday was International Women’s Day and highlighted Camden’s commitment to equality and the inspirational women and allies in the Chamber.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Callaghan, Lenga, Mulholland and Tiwari.  Apologies for leaving early were received from Councillors Apak and Vincent.

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 Mayor advised that there had been one deputation request in respect of the meeting, but she had declined to hear it, and the Borough Solicitor then summarised the reasons for this.

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 Dixey asked the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living what the Council’s plans were for the Crowndale Centre.  Councillor Olszewski responded that although the building was part of the accommodation strategy there was no firm decision about its future at this point.  It was used by various services and one floor was let out to the NHS which yielded rent of £250k a year.  It also provided accommodation for the trades unions and for Camden Town Library.  The assumption within Liberal Democrat budget amendment about how much might be realised from selling the building seemed optimistic and in any event the Council was already doing some work on retrofitting its housing stock without the need to sell the Crowndale Centre.  In response to a supplementary question about finding alternative accommodation for the services currently housed in the Crowndale Centre, Councillor Olszewski remarked that he was not expecting that any land currently being used by HS2 would become available for alternative use in the short term.

·         Councillor Parkinson asked the Cabinet Member for Better Homes about the Tenants Fees Act, which banned illegal letting fees, and the fact that the Council did not appear to be enforcing it, and asked how many successful prosecutions or fines there had been.  Councillor Apak responded that he did not have a number of prosecutions and fines to hand but could supply them later.  The amount recovered in fines was £1.2m so far.  In response to a supplementary question about whether those fines were for breaches of the Tenants Fees Act and whether there would be an enforcement drive, Councillor Apak remarked that he would get details to Councillor Parkinson.

·         Councillor Russell asked the Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden about the Council falling short of its recycling targets and about why this was the case and what action was being taken to address this.  Councillor Harrison responded that there had been significant action taken at the start of the last contract but recycling rates had fluctuated since then.  Work was ongoing on initiatives such as a door-to-door food waste service and on-street recycling banks, but Camden’s results on this were somewhat hampered by the fact that recycling rates were measured by weight.  Nevertheless, Camden did come out well on the amount of residual waste per person.  In response to a supplementary question about extending the initiative in West End Lane to place rubbish from flats above shops in grit bins, Councillor Harrison remarked that it was hoped that this pilot could be run elsewhere in the borough as part of the new investment in the 2024/25 budget.

·         Councillor Greenwood asked the Cabinet Member for a Sustainable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

As there were no nominations, this report was not considered.

Report of the Borough Solicitor

Consideration was given to a report of the Borough Solicitor.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

Reference from Cabinet

Consideration was given to a report on the main agenda and to a reference from the Cabinet set out on the supplementary agenda, which were introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living.

Councillor Olszewski proposed the recommendations set out in the reference from the Cabinet, as follows:

THAT the Council agrees the following:-

1.         Note the information set out in the report.

2.         Note that the Council has not received any feedback following the consultation with Non-Domestic Ratepayers, and have due regard to the results of the equality impact assessment in Appendix G.

3.         Agree:

(a)  The council tax requirement for the year 2024/25 of £141,130,750.

(b)  The calculations for determining the council tax requirement for the year  2024/25 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as set out in Appendix B.

(c)  To note that the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept set out in this report is £471.40 for Band D and as shown for all bands in Appendix B and is subject to Greater London Authority approval of the budget on 27 February 2024.

(d)  That the Council sets the amount of council tax for 2024/25 as detailed in Appendix B and notes that this will mean a Camden element of council tax of £1,539.17 (4.99% increase) for Band D residents not in Garden Squares.

(e)  That the Council hereby determines that its basic amount of council tax for the financial year 2024/25 is not excessive as outlined in paragraph 2.39.

(f)   The budget summary as set out in Appendix C.

(g)  The budget investments included in paragraph 2.18 to 2.36. including the continuation of the Cost-of-Living Crisis Fund.

(h)  Note the Section 25 notice detailed in paragraphs 7.1 to 7.20 summarising the assurance that the budget is set using sound assumptions and the level of reserves is deemed adequate.

(i)    The Garden Squares levy requirement received for each Garden Square Committee for 2024/25 as shown in Appendix B.

4.      In relation to fees and charges;

(a)  Agree the new fees and charges and those increasing above 7% discussed in paragraphs 2.48 to 2.49 and in Appendix D1 and listed in Appendix D2.

(b)  Delegate authority to the relevant Executive Director to decide increases to existing fees and charges up to a maximum of 7%, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holders.

5.      Note in paragraphs 2.55 to 2.62 the planned use of reserves, and in Paragraph 7.20 the adequacy of reserves as stated, and that no major allocations of general balances are being considered at this stage.

6.         Having due regard to the obligations set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and having considered the results of the equalities impact assessment at Appendix F1to:

(i)  Agree that the new Council Tax second home 100% premium is chargeable on qualifying properties from 1 April 2025 and supersedes the 0% discount currently in place as detailed in paragraphs 2.63to

2.64 and Appendix F.

(ii) Agree that the qualifying  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10a

Reference from Cabinet

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

RESOLVED –

THAT the following be approved:

(i)        The Borrowing Strategy as set out in section 3 and Appendix 2 of the report;

(ii)       The operational boundaries and authorised limits in Appendix 2 (treasury indicators 1 and 2) of the report;

(iii)      The prudential and treasury management indicators set out in the tables presented in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report;

(iv)      The Investment Strategy as set out in section 4 and Appendix 3 of the report;

(v)       The creditworthiness policy and credit rating criteria as set out in Appendix 3 (Table 1) of the report;

(vi)      The investment instruments categorised as specified and non-specified in Appendix 4 of the report; and

(vii)    The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy for depreciating assets set out in Appendix 6 of the report.

Reference from the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee

Consideration was given to a report on the main agenda and a reference from the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee on the supplementary agenda, which were introduced by the Chair of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee.

Following comments from Members, it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix A of the report be agreed; and

(ii)          THAT authority be delegated to the Director of Participation, Partnerships and Communication, in consultation with the Borough Solicitor, to take all necessary steps in relation thereto, including amendments to the Constitution and publication and operation of the Scheme.

Reference from the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee

Consideration was given to a report on the main agenda and a reference from the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee on the supplementary agenda, which were introduced by the Chair of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee.

Following a comment from a Member, it was

RESOLVED –

THAT the proposed pay policy statement for 2024/25 as attached at Appendix 1 of the report be agreed.

THE MAYOR IN THE CHAIR

Consideration was given to the report, which was introduced by Councillors Revah, Headlam-Wells, Olad, Atolagbe and Chung.

Following comments from Members, the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committee made some closing remarks.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Voluntary Sector, Equalities and Cohesion and the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Voluntary Sector, Equalities and Cohesion and the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

This item was not considered due to lack of time.

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.