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.

A nomination was proposed and seconded for Jane McWilliams. No further nominations were received.

Therefore, it was resolved

Resolved –

THAT Jane McWilliams be elected Chair for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Nominations were received for Momota Khatoon and Derek Jarman. There were no further nominations.

Therefore, it was 

Resolved –

THAT Momota Khatoon and Derek Jarman be elected Vice-Chairs the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Richard Cotton, Steve Barton (Holly Lodge TRA), and Petra Dando (CASP).

The Committee is asked to agree the Constitution and Code of Conduct for the 2024/25 municipal year.

The Constitution and Code of Conduct were noted.

There were no announcements.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no notifications of any items of urgent business.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Kentish Town District Management Committee held on 5 March 2024.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2024 be approved and signed 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 progress report actions points arising from the previous meeting.

The following points were raised:

·       With regard to the Maiden Lane communal heating system, some of the figures provided within the response were not reflective of the true amount that residents were paying for heating charges.

·       It would be beneficial if a meeting was arranged with officers to discuss the heating system and gain clarity on the figures provided.

                     ACTION: Tennant Participation

·       The text system for repairs did not seem to notify residents of repair works consistently, it was suggested that Tenant Participation and Repairs consolidate their contact information databases to ensure all residents were notified when faults were reported in communal areas.

·       Landlords were responsible for arranging Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Void properties had EPCs as these were required to be in place before new tenancies commenced, however residents with longstanding tenancies did not have these certificates.

·       It was important that EPCs were in place before winter so that residents who were eligible could apply for support with heating costs.

·       It was suggested that an update be circulated in Housing News, advising residents to request an EPC, if required.

          ACTION: Landlord Services

·       A further update on the Retrofit Pilot was sought and an information report was requested for a future meeting.

·       An update on the Pilot Neighbourhood Scheme was provided and the meeting were advised that it was going well. Social Prescribers had been invited to attend meetings and update on their cases, which had proven beneficial.

·       The meeting requested that the new Leader of the Council write to the Government to seek an update on the current proposals for the HS2 land, and to request that Council Housing be prioritised.

          ACTION: Leader of the Council

·       The tenancy visits were ongoing but the process was resource intensive, therefore data would inform the visits and those who were considered vulnerable would be prioritised.

Report of the Community Safety Programme Manager.

This report provides an update of the work of the Community Safety Service Anti-Social Behaviour Task Force pilot to date.

James Richards (Community Safety Officer) introduced the report.

In response to questions the following information was provided:

·       If a person was reported for anti-social behaviour a dispersal orders could be used to remove from the area, and if they refused the police would be contacted and they could be arrested.

·       Monitoring reports and resident feedback were used to measure the performance of the Task Force. Once cases were closed residents were asked to provide feedback about their experiences.

·       The council was considering whether to roll out the Responsive Security Patrol to street properties, but there was currently no provision for street properties.

·       Patrons of the Egg nightclub in Islington often left the nightclub as late as 4am and walked across the Maiden Lane Estate, causing noise disturbance and leaving litter.

·       The Cabinet Member for Better Homes advised that this issue had been noted and she had met with the Director of Public Safety to discuss. The nightclub would be approached and encouraged to improve their dispersal policy.

·       One of the blocks at Holly Lodge still had old wooden doors and people breaking in, potentially using drop keys.

·       The doors were due to be upgraded in due course, through the capital programme. The doors were bespoke, so would need to be made to measure, however, officers could investigate whether this work could be prioritised, given the security concerns.

·       There were tradesmen buttons still connected on some estates, allowing people to gain access to buildings, which was a security risk. Caretakers would be instructed to check the buttons to identify any that were still connected as it had been recommended that these buttons be disconnected.

·       Gerda security locks had been a successful solution in preventing trespass with drop keys on the estates they had been installed.

An issue was raised with regard to the Safer Neighbourhood Panel in Highgate and it was reported that the police had stopped communicating with the Panel, there were ongoing information sharing issues, and concerns were not adequately responded to. It was clarified these issues had been ongoing for over a year.

Officers and Ward Councillors noted these concerns and suggested that a meeting should be set up with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Borough Commander to discuss the issues that have been experienced by the Safer Neighbourhood Panel in Highgate Ward.

ACTION: Councillor Apak

The report was noted.

Report of the Tennant Participation Coordinator.

This report provides a progress update on a review of the process for allocation of, management and monitoring of the DMC budget and bidding process.

Stanton La Foucade (Tenant Participation Coordinator) introduced the report.

DMC representatives were in agreement that the proposals outlined in the report seemed beneficial and were supportive of the proposals.

Report of the Head of Neighbourhoods.

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.

Tara Cookson (Neighbourhood Manager) introduced the report.

It was reported to the meeting that the bid for the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at Peckwater Estate would be subject to matched funding from Arsenal Football Club and Adidas, if agreed. It was proposed that the bid be agreed, subject to the matched funding being awarded.

The meeting discussed the residents conference bid and an overview of the event was provided, explaining that it would take place on 2 September 2024 and would include information stalls, workshops, presentations, a creche and refreshments. The DMC were supportive of the bid.

Representatives from Maiden Lane outlined their bid for Metrobin stores. There were issues on the estate with rubbish being dumped, which attracted vermin. Metrobin storage had proven successful on other estates in addressing these issues.

Maiden Lane representatives also outlined their bid for their annual firework event. A suggestion was made to write to Savilles to ask if funding could be provided for future firework events.

Therefore, it was

RESOLVED –

THAT the following bids requests be approved:

This report provides a progress update on the voids programme of works and the current position of the in relation to the housing stock.

This report is for information only.

DMC Representatives noted that a Void Delivery Programme update was scheduled for the next round of DMC meetings. It was requested that the update include information on how the review of the programme was progressing, the timescales, and the metrics that would be used to measure improvements.

          ACTION: Head of Allocations, Lettings and Private Housing Services

Responding to a question, the Neighbourhood Manager advised that if a tenant passed away the Specialist Personal Representative Team were informed of the death and followed a set process.

The information report was noted.

This report provides an update on the project to improve parking on Camden's estates.

This report is for information only.

The information report was noted.

This report provides an update on the fire safety works programme, Damp & Mould and Capital works programmes in train.

This report is for information only.

The information report was noted.

Report of the Neighbourhood Managers.

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

A representative from St Pancras Way Estate TRA provided an update on the Community Hub project. Unfortunately, due to resource and budget constraints the project was no longer possible and would not go ahead. The meeting were informed that the St Pancras Way Estate TRA would like to spend the £100k previously allocated by DMC for this project on other schemes to bring the area back into use so that it is no longer attractive to drug users and rough sleepers. Alternative options were currently being explored.

It was reported that people living near the Undercroft regularly experienced issues with anti-social behaviour so it was hoped that a solution would be identified to improve the area.

The information report was noted.

There was none.