Agenda and minutes

That the Chair be allowed to hold the meeting remotely

RESOLVED

THAT the guidance on remote meetings be noted. 

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 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 ‘A’ and ‘B’ lists be noted.

Laura Gillet, Voids Manager and Oliver Jones, Head of Green Spaces had advised that they were unable to attend the meeting.

The Chair announced that Claire Beaumont, newly appointed Neighbourhood Manager, was in attendance and she was welcomed to her first meeting of the Kentish Town DMC. 

The DMC reflected on the dire situation in Ukraine. Consideration was given to how this might affect the Council and residents, such as cost of living increases or gas supply. The Chair requested that Hugh Boatswain, Senior Tennant Participation Officer provide advice to DMC members on how they can donate to Ukrainian Aid efforts.

The Chair also announced that Mary McGowan, Director of Housing Management, was soon leaving the Council. She was thanked for her service and the DMC wished her well.

The Chair also thanked Councillor Meric Apak for his work with the DMCs as Cabinet Officer for Better Homes.

There were no declarations.

There was no urgent business.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Kentish Town District Management Committee held on 30^th November 2021 and the joint meeting held on 12^th January 2022.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th November 2021 and the joint meeting on 12^th January 2022.

Regarding the minutes for 12^th January 2022, the Chair advised that that he had requested financial modelling to be provided regarding the rent increase and asked for an update to be given.

Responding to a question about further rent increase next year, the Cabinet Member for Better Homes advised that the Council was under huge pressure huge and would have to take informed view nearer the time.

Councillor Apak confirmed that a Letter has been drafted and it was currently awaiting to the signature of the Leader of the Council. Once the Leader had signed it would be shared with DMC Chairs and delivered to Number 10, Downing Street.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes 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 Kentish Town actions points, on the consolidated action points list.

Angela Spooner, Head of Landlord Services, and Graeme Dyson, Head of Security, advised that the meeting would be updated on the action points during Agenda Item 11.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report 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 2-hour meeting timeslot allocated.

The 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 a report of the Director of Housing Management and the Director of Property Management.

Gavin Haynes, Director of Property Management, gave a brief update on the Capital Works programme.

In response to a question, Mr Haynes advised that the gas for the communal supply was purchased from LASER Energy, a public sector gas consortium. The Council had pre-purchased gas and had a supply up to October 2022.  Responding to a follow up question Mr Haynes confirmed that there were no concerns that LASER would go bankrupt, however further information would be sought on the company’s future viability.

DMC members expressed concern that there may be gas supply issues in the future as tensions rise in Russia and Ukraine.

Michael Killeen, Head of Strategic Asset Management & Compliance, explained that work had been undertaken, which had explored needs across the Council’s housing stock and investments had been made in retrofitting programmes. Properties rated D or E for energy efficiency were priorities with a goal of raising their rating to C. Mr Killeen advised that boilers were being fitted and replaced in some properties. 

Responding to a question about solar panels, Mr Killeen advised that the possibility of installing solar panels had been explored, however this was not currently a viable option as funding was not available. The Carbon Zero Improvement Forum had reported on solar panels, so the findings of the forum could be circulated to members.

ACTION: Head of Strategic Asset Management & Compliance

Gavin Haynes, Director of Property Management, provided an update on the fire safety work that was due to be undertaken.

Responding to questions about fire doors Mr Haynes advised that information would be provided to the DMC on which doors were due to be replaced and that leaseholders did not pay for front doors as they formed part of an escape route and would therefore be ‘gifted’ replacement doors, however communal doors would be an apportioned cost.

ACTION: Director of Property Management

Laura Gillet, Voids Manager advised that she was unable to attend the meeting, so Angela Spooner, Head of Landlord Service provided an update on the voids improvement programme. It was reported that voids had been reduced by 17% and there had been an increase in void properties that had been let, therefore the service was on target to achieve a £1million saving.

Ms Spooner advised that HS2 would not be contributing to financial assistance on empty flats, but a further update would be sought and reported back to the DMC.

The meeting welcomed the good news on voids improvement programme.

Danny Waite, Head of Repairs and Operations, provided an update and advised that there had been improvements within the services that had meant backlogs had started to be cleared and more resident were using the online services to raise repairs and talking to advisers using webchat. Mr Waite reported that during January 27% of all repairs had been reported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Report of the Head of Tenancy Services.

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 a report of the Landlord Services Manager (South).

Tara Cookson, Neighbourhood Manager, introduced the report and outlined the bids that had been received.

A DMC member requested that the remaining balance be allocated to a previous project that needed more funding. Ms Cookson advised that the DMC needed to have notification of bids and projects in advance of the meeting, and therefore this proposal could not be agreed.

RESOLVED –

THAT the following bids requests be approved:

Report of the Landlord Services Manager (South)

The DMC is asked to note the report and make any relevant comments.

This report provides an update of recent news within the Kentish Town DMC Ward boundary since the last meeting.  As previously requested, TRAs are asked to submit items for inclusion in the report that they wish to share

Consideration was given to a report of the Landlord Services Manager (South).

Tara Cookson, Neighbourhood Manager, reported that the Rochester Road gating was now completed. A DMC membered passed on the gratitude of the residents of the block and reported that they were happy with the new gates.

The St Pancras Way Estate would use the DMC funding awarded at the previous meeting to fit lockable metal plates over the existing London Fire Brigade drop key access to communal doors across the estate, to prevent unauthorised access. Similar works had been a success on another estate. The work should be completed by the end of the financial year.

Claire Bowman, who had recently been appointed as Neighbourhood Housing Manager for the north area of Kentish Town, would be arranging meetings with the Leighton Crescent TRA and Caretaking Service to discuss the provision of adequate refuse storage facilities. Unfortunately, there had been a delay in this project due to planning permission possibly being required. 

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

There was no other business.