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.

Apologies for absence were received from 6-60 Bassett Street TRA, Cressfield and Woodyard TRA, Maitland Park Estate TRA and Wendling TRA.

There were no announcements.

There were no declarations.

There was no such business.

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.

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

Rent Increase

Members discussed the proposed rent increase; they said that they opposed the increase because of issues around the Ombudsman report on the repairs service and the increase to rent last year. The Committee thought that this was a good opportunity to highlight their problems with the service.

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

Increase Tenant Service Charge - Caretaking:

In their discussion, the Committee acknowledged the challenges with funding that the Council faced, but felt that despite increases in previous years, there had been no improvement to the service residents had been receiving.

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

Increase Tenant Service Charge - CCTV:

Many members felt that the current CCTV was not effective in reducing anti-social behaviour and so did not agree with increasing the charge.

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

Freeze Tenant Service Charge - Communal Lighting:

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

Increase Tenant Service Charge - Communal M&E Maintenance:

The Committee discussed the proposed increase and some members spoke about their experience with reoccurring issues of boilers not working.

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

Increase Tenant Service Charge - Grounds Maintenance:

In their discussion of the proposed increase, members spoke about issues they had with the standard of service. Many members felt that there had not been an improvement in service.

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

Increase Tenant Service Charge - Responsive Housing Patrol:

The Committee commented that they would like to see improvements in the service but acknowledged that patrols were important for some estates.

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

Comments on heating pool proposals

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

Other feedback and views

The Committee made the following comments:

·       Members understood that increases to certain charges were necessary, however, they would like to see improvements to services.

·       The DMC would like to see monitoring of performance, so the impact of increased charges could be seen.

·       There was a dissatisfaction with the repairs service.

RESOLVED –

THAT approval be given to the views set out above.

There was no such business.