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.

THAT the ‘A’ and ‘B’ lists be noted.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Meric Apak and Richard Cotton and Josh Cedar (Holly Lodge TRA), Jane Hickson (Leighton Crescent), Patrick Hagopian (Whittington Estate TRA), Helen Jack (Lissenden Gardens TRA), Momota Khatun (St Pancras Way TRA) Marion Ramoutar (Camden Square).

There were none.

There were no declarations.

There were no such notifications.

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 2025.

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 5

Holborn                   - Committee Room 4

At 8.15pm the DMCs will be recalled to report the outcomes from their respective meetings if they wish.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance and officers took the meeting through the report, as part of a briefing for all DMC representatives.

Meeting separately, the DMC first discussed the presentation and raised the following points: 

• Was there an update installation of fire doors on the Whittington Estate?
• Fire Safety Audits for estates were available on the Camden Council website, a link would be provided to DMC Members.
• Was the installation of walk-in showers as part of the lifetime homes project being explored?
• What work was being undertaken to address the ongoing issues with damp and mould in homes?
• Some properties had mould remedial works only for the issue to return and meaning further remedial work was required. Mould was treated several times in some residents homes, and the problem always returned.  
• How will the increase in Vehicle Excise Duty for vans and other vehicles affect the repairs budget?
• How will the introduction of the Congestion Charge for electric cars and vans affect the HRA and will contractors be able to pass on these increases via their contracts with Camden?
• How were leaseholder charges worked out?

DMC Members requested that a report on the Asset Management Strategy be provided to a future meeting of the DMC.

 ACTION: Head of Property Asset Management

DMC Members sought further information on the Quality Homes Proposal and requested that an information report be provided to the DMC. The meeting expressed concern that releasing homes would make the waiting list for housing longer.

ACTION: Cabinet Member for Better Homes

Kentish Town DMC members then considered the budget proposals for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

Rent – Increase by 2.7%

Consideration was given to the proposed rent increase.

Some DMC Members considered that the increase was more acceptable compared to last year, however concern was expressed that Housing Benefit freeze had continued, leaving claimants unable to cover rising rent costs.

Furthermore, some DMC Members agreed that residents were not seeing an improved service with each rent increase, particularly noting problems with the standard of work carried out by the repairs service. Maintenance work was not carried out and repairs often patched up problems, rather than fixed underlying causes.

Therefore, following a vote, it was

RESOLVED –

THAT the Kentish Town District Management Committee recommend that rent is not increased.

Tenant Service Charge: Caretaking – Increase by 5% (59p) 

DMC Members commented that they were satisfied with the work carried out by Caretakers on their estate.

Therefore, following a vote, it was

RESOLVED –

THAT the Kentish Town District Management Committee recommend that the caretaking service charge be increased by 5%.

Tenant Service Charge: CCTV – Increase by 7% (8p)

Following a vote, it was

RESOLVED –

THAT the Kentish Town District Management Committee recommend that the CCTV service charge be increased by 7%.

Tenant Service Charge Communal Lighting – No Change

The DMC had requested at the rent setting meeting in 2024, that communal lighting be put on sensors to make  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

There was none.