Agenda and minutes

Appendix A lists those Tenants’ and Residents’ 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 Associations 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 Team together with a membership list and a completed registered form.

The ‘A’ and ‘B’ lists were noted.

Apologies for absence were received from Runa Begum Miah (Whittington TRA), Ms Helen Duff (Ingestre Road TA) and Ms Joanna Hill (Maiden Lane Estate TRA).

To elect a Chair for the 2023/24 meeting year.

A nomination was received and seconded for Derek Jarman and there were no further nominations.

The DMC agreed that Derek Jarman be elected as Chair for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED –

THAT Derek Jarman be elected Chair for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

To elect up to two Vice-Chairs of the DMC for the 2023/24 meeting year.

Nominations were received for Mrs Momota Khatun and Ms Jane McWilliams and there were no further nominations.

The DMC agreed that Mrs Momota Khatun and Ms Jane McWilliams be elected as Vice-Chairs for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED –

THAT Mrs Momota Khatun and Ms Jane McWilliams be elected Vice-Chairs for the 2023/24 Municipal Year. 

To note the Constitution of the Kentish Town District Management Committee and Code of Conduct.

The Constitution of the Kentish Town District Management Committee (DMC) and Code of Conduct was noted.

There were no announcements.

There were no declarations.

The Chair had agreed to accept a statement from Petra Dando gave a statement on behalf of the Camden Association of Street Properties (CASP).

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Kentish Town District Management Committee held on 28 February 2023.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2023.

Following a discussion that some TRAs were experiencing issues with receiving communication between their DMC, officers confirmed they would explore providing DMCs with Camden Council email addresses.

ACTION BY: Tenant Participation

In relation to energy prices, residents asked if Camden Council were paying the same price per unit since energy prices had recently decreased, through their energy supplier LASER. It was confirmed that Camden bought their energy in advance and in bulk, therefore the level of payments currently made by tenants would not reflect current market energy prices. The Council expects the recent market decrease to be reflected in the next 6 monthly bulk purchase of energy. The Council had previously been subsidising the cost of energy for tenants and leaseholders before the recent price increase. Even if the price Camden paid for energy might decrease in the future, a possible reduction may not be passed onto residents due to the previous deficit. In response to residents asking for clarification on an energy price increase  breakdown, and if it included other costs such as repair or maintenance, officers confirmed they would share a response with the DMC.

ACTION BY: Director of Finance

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The DMC is asked to note the progress of the action points arising from the previous meeting.

Consideration was given to the actions arising from the previous meeting.

To contact London Councils to ask if they can signpost to the void property report, or if they have any information or data on the subject.

Officers stated there was no related information available on the London Councils website. Residents said they would like this action to be ongoing and that a London Councils representative should be invited to the DMC.

ACTION BY: Head of Housing Transformation

To circulate to the DMC more detailed information about rent arrears

It was confirmed that the current tenant arrears stood at £15.9 million, and when credits were taken into account the figure reduced to £11.4 million. Currently approximately 50% of tenants were in credit and 50% were in arrears.

To present a report to a future DMC about mould and damp in properties in Camden.

Officers stated that Housing were aiming to close all cases by September. Whilst Housing were carrying out the visits to all Council homes in the borough, they hoped to understand better who was affected by damp and mould. They were also conducting surveys with residents which would incorporate damp and mould.

Residents stated that the Council should do more to understand the causes of damp and mould, which could route from overcrowding, ineffective mechanical ventilation and leaks. They added that some residents would benefit from guidance on how to look after their homes. Officers responded they would be conducting intelligent data analysis to work towards future prevention. Officers confirmed they would circulate information for residents on the causes and how to prevent and mitigate damp and mould to TRAs.

ACTION BY: Head of Housing Transformation

To reduce overcrowding, officers stated they were encouraging mutual property changes and downsizing; the Council would support residents through those processes to make the the best use of Council properties. Officers confirmed they would provide an update to a future meeting on progress in advertising options to residents.

ACTION BY: Head of Housing Transformation

In response to residents querying the housing allocations bidding system, it was confirmed by officers that there would be an updated Housing Allocations Policy in the upcoming year and all stakeholders would be widely consulted on ahead of any changes. It was additionally noted, housing allocations were based on housing needs which had equalities considerations.

Residents agreed that a special meeting should be called to discuss Camden housing allocations in greater depth and receive more detailed information on the subject, ahead of the consultation and review. The Chair confirmed they would write to the other DMC Chairs with a proposal for the special meeting.

 ACTION BY: Kentish Town DMC Chair

RESOLVED –

THAT the Action Point Update be noted.

Report of the Director of Housing Management and the Director of

Property Services.

The DMC is asked to discuss and comment on the sections of the consolidated report that are of particular interest to members during the meeting.

The June 2023 consolidated Housing Services report was compiled following feedback from DMC members at recent meetings and arising from specific requests from DMC chairs during their April agenda setting with the Cabinet Member. It includes Housing Management & Property Services performance and other requested reports.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Housing & Director of Property Management Supporting Communities.

HRA Budget Monitoring Update

The Director of Finance Supporting Communities gave a summary of the update, included within pages 36-39 of the papers. The following was discussed:

-       The 2023 outturn had not yet been finalised and would report to Cabinet in July, however, it was stated the ongoing increase of interest rates would impact 2023/24 more than 2022/23 therefore resulting in more financial challenge to the Council.

-       It was confirmed that the Community Investment Programme (CIP) was short term borrowing from the HRA to build social and private housing. The private housing sold was then used to pay back the HRA. The aim was to increase the number of social properties in the borough. The scheme was not for commercial investment.

-       It was confirmed that the Council were exploring enfranchisement.

Regulatory Framework Update

The Head of Housing Transformation gave a summary of the Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMS) update, included within pages 40-42 of the papers. The following was discussed:

-       It was confirmed that this year the Council would be conducting a survey on the 12 tenant satisfaction measures, with the first survey going out in the Autumn using a non-profit data insight company, Housemark, working with the Council. Housemark worked closely with the Regulator of Social Housing and helped develop the TSM framework and were also helping other inner London local authorities with their surveys. The company had chosen more open-ended questions to enable more learning from resident experience.

-       A resident stated that the report should capture a view from residents, they questioned how residents were empowered in the process, and said the report should be more informative. In response, officers stated that DMCs had received regular updates on how the social housing white paper progressed through parliament since 2020 and the regulatory impact on the Council and would continue to do so. This particular DMC update on the subject was about the upcoming TSMS and survey.

DMC Inclusivity Charter

The Head of Housing Transformation gave a summary of the report outlining options on how to make DMC meetings more inclusive, included within pages 43-44 of the papers.

In the proposed next steps, it stated that a DMC chair suggested that a resident conference could be held to bring together several issues of interest to resident, supported by all 5 DMC chairs. This could focus on widening participation and inclusivity of DMCs and for residents. As a residents’ led conference, officers stated they would be happy to work with residents to supporting. Officers stated that it was up to the DMCs to design the conference, how they want residents to come together, and focusses of interest.

It was raised by a resident that there was a lack of knowledge sharing between TRAs before attending the DMC meeting, then at a greater level information sharing between DMCs. The resident suggested that TRAs submit bullet points to officers to include  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Report of the Head of Programmes, Housing

In line with the DMC funding guidelines, TRAs will be asked to provide an update to the meeting regarding the progress of agreed bids, including an update on the associated spend. TRAs are invited to circulate any relevant information in advance through the clerk.

TRAs are encouraged to submit bids as soon as possible, so they can be properly assessed and prepared by officers, ready for submission to the DMC. TRAs are reminded that verbal bids cannot be accepted at DMC meetings as, in line with the guidelines, officers need to be able to assess bids before passing them to the DMC.

For more information on DMC bids, please see our webpages: www.camden.gov.uk/dmcbids.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Programmes, Housing.

RESOLVED –

THAT the following requests be approved.

Report of the Head of Programmes, Housing

This report provides an update of recent news within the Kentish Town DMC Ward boundary.

The Kentish Town Information Report was taken as read.

At the discretion of the Chair, Petra Dando gave a statement on behalf of the Camden Association of Street Properties (CASP) to the DMC about the master key scheme for Camden Council street properties. The statement outlined that CASP were concerned about resident safety and the impact on house insurance if contractors were to have access to shared street property areas. CASP had requested the Council, and now within their statement, to carry out a formal consultation about the master key scheme with residents ahead of any changes and they were awaiting a response from Camden officers.

In response, officers stated that the relevant Director would respond to CASP outside of the meeting. The Chair requested for the DMC Chair and Vice-Chairs to be informed of any response.

ACTION BY: Director of Property Management