Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Beales, Councillor Harrison and Councillor Wright.

Councillor Boyland declared himself to be a Board member of Camden Learning and would therefore leave the meeting during consideration of item 8, Award of the Camden Learning Commission.        

Webcasting of the Meeting

The Chair to announce the following: “In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record and film public meetings, I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and will be capable of repeated viewing and copies of the recording could be made available to those that request them.

If you are seated in the chamber it is likely that the Council’s cameras will capture your image and you are deemed to be consenting to being filmed and to the use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes.  If you are addressing the Committee your contribution will be recorded and broadcast unless you have already indicated that you do not wish this to happen.

If you wish to avoid appearing on the Council’s webcast you should move to one of the galleries.”

Any Other Announcements

The Chair reminded those present that the meeting was being broadcast live by the Council to the internet and could be viewed for twelve months thereafter and then archived and made available on request.  Anyone who had asked to address the meeting was deemed to be consenting to having their contribution recorded and broadcast and to the use of the sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.

As there was only one deputation to be heard, it was agreed that item 10 would be considered after item 7, followed by the remaining agenda items in numerical order.

Requests to address the Cabinet on a matter on its agenda must be made in writing to the clerk named on the front of this agenda by 5pm two working days before the meeting.

A deputation was heard from Hayel Wartemberg, Co-founder and Managing Director of Word on the Curb, in relation to Item 10 on the agenda.

Cabinet Members then asked questions of the deputation.

There was no notification of urgent business.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th June 2023.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th June 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting items referred from a Council Scrutiny Committee requiring urgent consideration will be taken.

There were no matters referred. 

Please note that there were no alternative options considered or rejected by the Cabinet for the following items, unless indicated, although Cabinet Members duly considered, where applicable, options listed within the reports.

Report of the Leader of the Council

This report considers the proposal to recommission Camden Learning to provide school improvement and wider education services on behalf of the Council to its schools. 

The report sets out how and why Camden Learning was established. It indicates the requirement for the Camden to act as the supervisory authority and further outlines the changes to the proposed contract specification and any requirements to amend contract schedules.

The report is coming to the Cabinet because it is necessary to agree the award of a contract for school improvement services, training and school support to Camden Learning for the period between 1st September 2023 and 31st August 2026 with a further option to extend for 2 additional years. 

Consideration was given to a report of Leader of the Council.

Members welcomed the contribution that Camden Learning had made to schools, education and the lives of children and young people in the borough and officers were thanked for their role in that work.  

RESOLVED –

i)               THAT the recommission of Camden Learning to undertake School Improvement and wider education services for Camden Council from September 2023 until August 2026 be agreed.

ii)             THAT authority be delegated to the Director of Education Commissioning and Inclusion to negotiate and agree the terms of the contract and thereafter to enter into the contract on behalf of Camden Council.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care.

This report sets out the proposed commissioning strategy for Mora Burnet House, an extra care service which offers 35 flats in Swiss Cottage for residents with a wide range of support needs. It is recommended that the care provision for Mora Burnet House is insourced. Evidence suggests that this strategy offers the best outcomes for residents, staff and the wider extra care network.

The report is coming to Cabinet for approval in line with Contract Standing Orders due the financial implications and potential Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) requirement associated with the recommended commissioning strategy.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care.

In response to questions, Members received a brief explanation of the eligibility criteria for residents of Mora Burnett House. Members also received  confirmation of the consultation that would take place with residents, families and staff about the transition to the new care arrangements.  

RESOLVED –

i)               THAT the insource of care provision for Mora Burnet House for an estimated value of £1.031m per annum be agreed.

ii)              THAT authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Adults and Health to take all procedural steps and make any necessary decisions to action (i) above.

Report of the Leader of the Council

Camden has a long history of making careful, impactful and long-term investments in both its assets and its people, to deliver social and economic dividends for future generations – from purchases of street properties in the 1960s and 1970s, to the Community Investment Programme of the last decade, to the Refugee Housing investments we are about to make.

We Make Camden sets out to build on this history, and on our record of bold ideas, innovation and radical municipal action, and has a clear ambition that Camden’s local economy should be strong, sustainable and inclusive – everyone should have a secure livelihood to support them to live a prosperous life. It also argues that ‘traditional approaches to local economic development have focused on supporting business growth and trying to capture the benefits it creates’ rather than seeking to grow a more inclusive economy which seeks to share power and ownership of Camden’s economy.

We Make Camden identified a wealth fund as one possible response to meeting this ambition – as a way to understand how wealth is created, who gets to create it, and how we can keep the benefits firmly in Camden and with its people.

This report sets out the approach and approvals required to create a Camden Community Wealth Fund – a mission driven, social investment fund that will provide investment for people, businesses and organisations in Camden that are delivering on our missions, to develop their ideas, grow their businesses, and maximise their impact.

The Fund will support people and organisations that are focused on tackling the We Make Camden missions, and in particular the Young People and the Diversity missions. We will do this by providing repayable loans, equity finance, and small grants, alongside wrap around business support.

The report recommends that Cabinet agree to establish the Community Wealth Fund, and sets out the business plan, investment strategy, resources and structures needed to implement it.

Consideration was given to a report of the Leader of the Council.

During her introduction of the report Councillor Gould thanked the deputation for their contribution. She commented on the importance of a community wealth fund including: the investment that the fund would provide for Camden’s young people; the access to capital investment and the opportunities that the fund would provide for communities that had been affected by inequalities and traditional approaches in finance and business. There was much work to be done in order to develop the fund and build the trust of those that had been let down by previous initiatives.    

In response to questions, the Leader remarked that social outcomes would be a key element in the development of the fund. There would be investment in community input, with a diversity mission to understand the barriers experienced by underrepresented groups and ensure their engagement.  

There had been a great deal of analysis of similar wealth funds, that had demonstrated how expertise and community aspiration had led to good investments. There would be ongoing support and expertise provided from an investment team for those receiving funding. It was stressed that there was no financial risk to the Council’s finances or medium term financial strategy. 

RESOLVED –

1.             THAT the Camden Community Wealth Fund as set out in section 2 of this report be established.

2.             THAT authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Corporate Services) to take all appropriate actions required to implement the first stage of the Camden Community Wealth Fund (CWF) including:

(i)             In consultation with the Leader, and the Executive Director (Supporting Communities) approval of the CWF Business Plan and Investment Strategy (as referred to in section 2 of the report and in the indicative CWF Business Plan at Appendix 1).

(ii)            In consultation with the Leader, and the Executive Director (Supporting Communities) allocating the source funding for the CWF as referred to in para 2.42 to para 2.43 of the report.

(iii)          The budget for set up and operation of the CWF including commissioning necessary business support, Fund advisory services and Fund management.

(iv)          In consultation with the Leader, the Borough Solicitor, and the Executive Director (Supporting Communities) approval of the Governance Arrangements for the CWF including arrangements for citizen participation and the Scheme of Delegation setting out a hierarchy of decision making as referred to in paras 2.24 to 2.32 of the report.

(v)           In consultation with the Leader and the Executive Director (Supporting Communities) authority to invest up to £5m in individual schemes.

(vi)          Procurement of professional advisers to support the implementation and operation of the CWF.

3.             THAT it be noted that there will be a subsequent report presented to Cabinet on the CWF Interim Review, as referred to in paragraph 2.47 of the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living

This report provides an update on:

·       The Council’s new Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Council’s financial resilience.

·       Our response to the cost-of-living emergency including proposed allocations for the Family Crisis Fund.

·       Supporting the refugee crisis

·       An update on the Council’s response to the climate emergency

·       2022/23 Revenue outturn and allocation of reserves

·       2022/23 Capital outturn and updated capital programme

·       An update on the Council’s Capital Strategy

·       The finances of the Housing Revenue Account including an update on actions being taken to manage the financial pressures on the account

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cost of Living.

Members noted the significant financial challenges faced by the Council following the global pandemic and the current cost of living emergency. The report provided an updated overview of the Council’s financial provision as it sought to support Camden’s residents, communities and businesses.  

RESOLVED –

(a)           THAT the update on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Council’s medium term financial position summarised in paragraphs 2.2 to 2.7 of the report be noted.

(b)           THAT the impact of inflation and the cost-of-living emergency on the borough and the steps being taken to help support residents detailed in paragraphs 2.16 to 2.23 of the report be noted.

(c)           THAT the 2022/23 General Fund & Housing Revenue Account revenue and capital outturn positions set out in paragraphs 2.39 to 2.46 and 2.69 to 2.76. of the report be noted. 

(d)           THAT the allocations to and from earmarked reserves as set out in sections 2.47 to 2.53 and Appendix A for inclusion in the Statement of Accounts be agreed.

(e)           THAT the revised Capital Programme, funding and capital receipts targets summarised and presented in paragraphs 2.77 to 2.81 of the report, and Appendix B be agreed.

(f)             THAT the additions to the capital programme in paragraph 2.59 to 2.68 of the report be agreed.

(g)           THAT the risks associated with our financial position outlined in section four of the report be noted.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living 

This report further outlines the work of the Council to tackle the cost of living crisis and how we might allocate funds and resources to support ongoing emergency response aligned with our strategic work. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living will provide an update on the use of Family Crisis Fund allocations in the Budget in March 2024.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cost of Living.

Following the introduction of the report by Councillor Olszewski, Members commented that this was a comprehensive report that set out the work of the Council to tackle the cost of living crisis, including how funds and resources could be allocated to support the ongoing emergency response aligned with the Council’s strategic mission.  

RESOLVED –

1.             THAT the work of the Council, with input and oversight from the Cost-of-Living Members Group, to tackle the cost of living crisis in Camden be noted;

2.             THAT it be agreed that, following the announcement made at Full Council in March 2023, the Council will fund the costs associated with supporting universal free school meals in Primary Schools following the end of the funding provided by the Mayor of London, as set out in section 1 of the report;

3.             THAT the allocation of funding for the Family Crisis Fund for the year 2023/24 to the projects as outlined in section 3 of the report be agreed.

There was no such urgent business.