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 and Leaseholder Engagement 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 and Leaseholder Engagement Team 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 Ian Schofield (Dudley Court TRA), Richard Walker (Red Lion RA), Julia Pascal and Nick Jones (Flaxman Court TRA), Paul Stelb (25 Gresse Street), Maureen Murphy, June Holland and Ed Sweetman (Tybalds Close TRA) and Councillor Sue Vincent.

There were no announcements.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no items of urgent 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 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 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 the presentation on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25.

In response to questions it was explained that target rent was a government formula for setting social rent. Those downsizing would be excluded from the proposed policy to relet at targets rents for existing tenants. Officers confirmed that there was a reward for downsizing but that there had been fewer taking up that option in the past year.

It was clarified that the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) was the savings programme for the HRA, set every three years.

There was a discussion on the requirements for carbon monoxide monitors and for smoke and heat detectors with some dispute from residents about the specifications. Representatives of Brunswick TRA highlighted that it was a concrete block with mostly small open-plan units but residents had been advised that a detector was required in each space. It was also noted that the British Standards covered battery-operated fire alarms while the hardwired units being installed would cost more in energy. Representatives suggested that savings could be made by amending the specifications for alarms. Susanne Afra, Head of Capital Works, explained that the council had made a decision to install hardwired alarms and that these were in line with the British Standards. The energy costs would be minimal.

Representatives expressed concern that the Council had made up its mind and would not consider other feasible options.

DMC representative queried the appointment of contractors who had been fined elsewhere and had carried out unsatisfactory work in Camden. The Falcon TRA representative commented on work by Mulalley that had been due for completion many months previously but that there were many defects that had to be repaired. The defects had been reported each month, with an audit trail of evidence and emails. A checklist had been discussed with Mulalley in August 2023 but nothing had been completed. It was queried where the costs would fall. Officers agreed to follow up on the issues at Falcon Estate.

ACTION: Susanne Afra, Head of Capital Works

In response to a query, it was explained that the review of playground charges would analyse who was using the playgrounds. Where they were being used by the general public, it was proposed that the general fund should be contributing to maintenance. At the present time, maintenance was fully funded through the HRA.

The Head of Capital Works explained that analysis of the stock condition survey would assist with prioritisation of the Better Homes budget. An update could be provided at an upcoming meeting, with an explanation about how the move to a rolling survey would affect the approach to prioritisation.

ACTION: Susanne Afra, Head of Capital Works

It was queried what charges would not be eligible for housing benefit and universal credit. Officers highlighted enhanced housing management charges, supporting people charges and the heating charge. The Chair explained that the social security law was based on the concept that a charge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

There was no urgent business.