Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE. View directions
Contact: Gianni Franchi Email: gianni.franchi@camden.gov.uk
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Registration of Tenant and Resident Associations and Co-Option of Representatives Appendix A lists those Tenant and Resident Associations (TRAs), which have satisfactorily completed the registration process at the date of despatch of this agenda. It gives details of the representatives of those TRAs to be co-opted onto the DMC, in accordance with the constitution, together with the names of the substitutes.
Appendix B lists those TRAs whose registrations have lapsed. If a TRA wishes to register it must hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM), open to all members, once a year (with an independent observer in attendance). The minutes must be sent to the Tenant Participation Service together with a membership list and a completed registered form.
Additional documents: Minutes: The DMC considered the list of registered tenant and resident associations (TRAs) provided by the Tenant Participation Service listed at Appendix A to the agenda and those TRAs whose registration had lapsed, which were listed at Appendix B.
RESOLVED –
THAT the list of tenant and residents’ associations as set out at Appendix A and their representatives be noted.
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Apologies Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Fran Heron (Chair), Richard Caylor, Councillors Samata Khatoon, and Nancy Jirira |
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Announcements Minutes: There were none. |
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Declarations of Interest of Items on this Agenda Minutes: There were none. |
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Notification of any Items of Business that the Chair Decides to Take as Urgent Minutes: There were none. |
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January DMC HRA Budget 2024/25 and Rent Setting Report of the Director of Finance
This report summarises the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account and the draft recommendations on rent and service charges to be made to the Cabinet in January 2024.
The report also seeks the views of the DMCs on the draft recommendations.
The DMCs will retire to the following rooms to discuss the budget proposals separately:
Gospel Oak - Council Chamber Hampstead - Committee Room 1 Camden Town - Committee Room 2 Kentish Town - Committee Room 3 Holborn - Committee Room 5
At 8.15pm the DMCs will be recalled to report the outcomes from their respective meetings if they wish. Minutes: The DMC went through the proposals outlined for consideration as set out in the template from the Director of Finance.
Rent Increase
Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should not be supported.
Increase Tenant Service Charge - Caretaking:
Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should be supported.
Increase Tenant Service Charge - CCTV:
Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should be supported.
Increase Tenant Service Charge - Communal Lighting:
Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should be supported.
Increase Tenant Service Charge - Communal M&E Maintenance:
Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should not be supported.
Increase Tenant Service Charge - Grounds Maintenance:
Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should not be supported.
Increase Tenant Service Charge - Responsive Housing Patrol:
Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should be supported.
Comments on heating pool proposals
Following a vote, it was determined that the heating pool charges should be the same as 23/24. Other issues
Officers were asked to provide further information regarding, the link between benefits and rent arrears; whether service charge estimates could be used to charge tenants in advance (then readjusted depending on actual service received); an assurance that temporary caretaking staff or caretaking staff stepping in provided the same level of cover as existing staff and they be provided with the appropriate training to undertake the role; the position in relation to the request for CCTV for the Churchway Estate; the information that would be sent to tenants regarding the current approach and options for LED light installation; the services covered by the communal M&E charge, along with why that service charge was still in place; what was covered by the Grounds Maintenance contract and the increase proposed, and the cost assumptions for the Responsive Housing Patrol increase; the use of past heating pool surpluses in funding energy efficiency measures; and how much the CIP had cost the HRA since 2012.
ACTION BY: Director of Housing/Director of Finance/Director of Development/Director of Property Management
That in future such reports greater transparency should be provided so that tenants and residents could make informed decisions.
ACTION BY: Director of Finance
The DMC would not support the rent increase because of its impact on those who were just above the benefits threshold, which in turn was likely to lead some of them going into or increasing their rent arrears. Such a picture on rent arrears could lead the authority being deemed unable to run its housing services, leading to the Government sending in commissioners to take over the service.
The Vice-Chair then reported this information to the other DMC representatives.
RESOLVED –
THAT approval be given to the views set out above.
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Any Other Business that the Chair Considers Urgent Minutes: There were none. |