Agenda and minutes

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.

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.

Apologies for absence were received from Alex Grant and Michael Williams, Cayford House TRA and David Patterson, Mansfield Road TRA.

There were no announcements.

No declarations were made.

There were none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Gospel Oak DMC held on 15 June 2023 and to consider the progress report and any other matters arising.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2023.

Members agreed that an amendment should be made to include apologies from the representative from Gospel Oak 7&8 TRA.

The Committee also discussed the progress report. With reference to the action requesting an update for the installation of boilers, members asked about a meeting to discuss the use of communal heating from the Royal Free Hospital.

The Head of Property Customer Services and Engagement told the committee that the meeting happened on 11 August. He said that that another meeting would be held to allay member concern that people had not been notified sufficiently. This meeting would be online but could be held in person should that be required.

Action by: the Head of Property and Customer Services.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes be agreed subject to the amendment outlined above.

To agree the DMC’s Constitution and Code of Conduct as set out in the attached documents.

Suggested amendments to the Constitution from the Chair are appended.

Consideration was given to the Code of Conduct and Constitution.

Members agreed the amendment proposed by the Chair that had been circulated in the agenda.

In their discussion, the committee commented that the purpose of a Code of Conduct was to ensure officers were treated in an appropriate way and was mostly about being kind to one another.

RESOLVED –

i)                 THAT the amendment to the Constitution, as can be found in the agenda, be agreed.

ii)               THAT the Code of Conduct and Constitution be agreed for the 2023/ 2024 municipal year.

i)           To elect the DMC’s representative to the Camden Safer Neighbourhood Board.

Camden Safer Neighbourhood Board

“Camden Safer Neighbourhood Board is a community-led charity that brings together the community, police and council with the aim of reducing crime and antisocial behaviour in Camden.

“We oversee three main strands of activities:

• Public meetings and community conversations – these provide residents from across Camden the chance to challenge the Police Borough Commander and senior officers from the Community Safety Partnership about crime 

• Stop and Search – the Camden Stop and Search Monitoring Group meets four times a year. We also have a panel of 18 Camden Independent Youth Advisors with a keen interest in Stop and Search. 

• Camden Safer Neighbourhood Board Trustees – we hold six meetings a year where a small group of Trustees having been appointed by the CSNB hold the police and Partnership to account for performance in crime and antisocial behaviour. The Trustees oversee the work and set the policies for the CSNB.”

For more information, visit https://camdenconnected.com/

ii)          To elect representatives to any other bodies as needed.

Election of Vice-Chair

The Committee made the decision to hold an election for the vacant Vice-Chair position.

RESOLVED –

THAT Robert Robbins be elected Vice-Chair for the 2023/2024 municipal year.

Camden Safer Neighbourhoods Board

The Chair of the Safer Neighbourhood Panel gave an introduction and outlined the role of the Safer Neighbourhoods Board. The DMC were asked to elect one representative.

RESOLVED –

THAT Daniel Key be elected to represent the DMC on the Safer Neighbourhoods Board

Report of the Director of Development.

This report provides an update on Community Investment Programme projects in the Gospel Oak and Haverstock wards.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Development.

The report was introduced by the Head of CIP Development, the Team Leader Regeneration and Senior Development Manager.

A member of the committee raised concern that council officers had met with a group of residents in relation to the development in Bacton. The member was disappointed that the Council had shared information with a group that was not formally recognised by the Council and not the DMC.

In response to this, the Head of CIP Development said that the session with residents included those from Gospel Oak as part of a wider engagement. The information shared was all in the public domain and readily available for anyone to access.

Officers explained the current stages of the Wendling and Bacton developments.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Housing and the Director of Property Management

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Housing and the Director of Property Management.

In their discussion of the report the committee asked about the different channels used to disseminate information about property inspections. The Head of Property Customer Services and Engagement said that the information was accessible in a variety of forms but would seek confirmation of what these forms were.

Action by: the Head of Property Customer Services and Engagement

Responding to a question in regard to the treatment of damp and mould, the Head of Property Customer Services and Engagement said that incidents of damp and mould were categorised into emergency, moderate and severe. Where an incident was seen as moderate a treatment request would be filled within 3 months, where it was severe or an emergency the time would be greatly reduced. The service were aiming to inspect and treat any problem on the same visit rather than inspecting and treating on return visits.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

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 the report of the Head of Landlord Services.

Forge, Mutton and Castle TRA – LED Lighting

The Landlord Services Manager explained that the bid had been reported incorrectly in the agenda. The bid, for LED lighting, was outlined by the DMC representative from Forge, Mutton and Castle TRA.

RESOLVED –

THAT the bid from Forge, Mutton and Castle TRA be agreed.

Cressfield and Woodyard TRA - Renovation of communal play area

The bid was introduced by the representative from Cressfield and Woodyard TRA, who gave details and breakdown of the bid.

RESOLVED –

THAT the bid from Cressfield and Woodyard TRA be approved.

Wendling on behalf of St Stephens - Renovate concrete courtyard and block opening

The bid was introduced by the representative from Wendling TRA, who gave details and breakdown of the bid.

RESOLVED –

THAT the bid from Wendling TRA be approved.

Estate Parking

The DMC requested an officer from Estate Parking to attend future meeting to discuss parking and parking space rental.

Action by: the Tenant Participation Coordinator

Grounds Maintenance

The DMC requested an officer from Grounds Maintenance to attend future meeting to discuss trees and grass.

Action by: the Tenant Participation Coordinator

There was no such business.