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 list of tenant and residents’ associations as set out at Appendix A and their representatives be noted.

Apologies for absence were received from the representative from Camden Association of Street Properties.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

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 2024.

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 3

Holborn                   - Committee Room 5

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. The DMC went through the proposals outlined for consideration as set out in the template from the Director of Finance.

Rent Increase

Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should be supported.

Increase Tenant Service Charge - Caretaking:

Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should be supported.

Increase Tenant Service Charge - CCTV:

Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should not be supported.

Increase Tenant Service Charge - Communal Lighting:

Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should be supported.

Increase Tenant Service Charge - Communal M&E Maintenance:

Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should be supported.

Increase Tenant Service Charge - Grounds Maintenance:

Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should not be supported.

Increase Tenant Service Charge - Responsive Housing Patrol:

Following a vote, it was determined that the proposed increase should not be supported.

Heating Pool Charge proposal

Following a vote, it was determined that the heating pool charges should be the same as 23/24.

Comments on specific savings proposals

Members discussed damp and mould in properties and the steps Camden was taking to address affected properties. The Head of Property Customer Services and Engagement that from around 6000 enquiries relating to damp and mould, 5000 inspections and 2000 mould treatments had been carried out.

The Committee discussed the problems they had experience with caretaking cover during periods of absence. The Head of Neighbourhoods apologised for any issues with caretaking cover and said that interruptions to service should not happen.

Members spoke about their experiences of the responsive patrol units, that they often took too long to arrive at a scene of anti-social behaviour. The Head of Property Customer Servies and Engagement agreed to bring a report that outlined the role of responsive patrols to a future meeting.

Action by: the Head of Property Customer Services and Engagement

The Committee were interested in how leaseholder service charges were reviewed and received. The Head of Neighbourhoods said that leaseholders pay a variable amount of service charges but pay an estimated fixed rate. Annually the charges were reviewed and reconciled against the estimate. The Head of Neighbourhoods agreed to confirm how service charges worked for leaseholders and whether they received refunds or deductions when a paid service was not provided, for example if a caretaker was on sick leave and no replacement was provided.

Action by: the Head of Neighbourhoods

The Committee were pleased to hear of Camen’s agreement for transparent communication with residents as part of the housing transformation work.

Members asked for more clarity around the replacement of fire doors in blocks.

The Chair then reported this information to the other DMC representatives.

RESOLVED –

THAT approval be given to the views set out above.

There were none.