Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Callaghan, Gould and Shah.

There were no declarations.

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

Broadcasting of the meeting

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.

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.

There were no deputations.

There was no notification of urgent business.

On occasions part of a Cabinet meeting will be held in private and not open to the public, if an item is being considered which is likely to lead to the disclosure of exempt or confidential information. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, members of the public can make representations about why that part of the meeting should be open to the public.

No such representations were received in respect of items on this agenda.

There were no representations received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 2023.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 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 Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture, the Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families

This report is a condition of the Council’s Youth Justice Board grant. It outlines the priorities for the Youth Justice Service over the next 2 years 2023-25.  It provides an overview of progress from the previous plan, references national and regional priorities and how we seek to deliver on our priorities.

The report is being presented to Cabinet for recommendation to Council because it must be signed off by full Council under Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture, the Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families.

RESOLVED –

THAT the Council be recommended to approve the Youth Justice Plan 2023-25.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living

This report sets out Camden’s proposals to provide a Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTS) for the year 2024/25.

Camden’s current scheme is one of the most generous CTS schemes in the country with income bands based on the London Living Wage, with over 16,000 households (including over 5,000 pensioners) in Camden currently receiving 100% support and do not pay any Council Tax.

The coronavirus pandemic saw the number of claimants increase substantially and the subsequent Cost of Living crisis means that the Council is having to invest more to support our residents and communities.

Given the severe economic climate and financial hardship within the borough, it is proposed that the current scheme remains in place for 2024/25, with minor

updates in line with legislative changes and prescribed requirements. The updates will have no negative impacts and retaining the current scheme will provide certainty for residents. Income bands will also be uplifted in line with the new levels for London Living Wage.

The report is coming to the Cabinet because The Local Government Finance Act 2012 amends the Local Government Finance Act 1992 which sets out the requirement for the Council to agree a CTS scheme on an annual basis.

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

In response to a question, the Cabinet Member remarked that officers were looking into the possibility of extending council tax support to shared lives carers and it was hoped to be able to make this change to the scheme in the near future.  In response to a further question regarding the impact of the recent financial settlement, he added that the Council was committed to the council tax support scheme and, whilst the financial situation was not helpful, he did not see any immediate risk to the scheme.

RESOLVED –

THAT the Council be recommended to agree:-

(i)            That the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme, updated with minor wording amendments to reflect legislative changes and prescribed requirements made by central government (as explained in paragraph 2.4 of the report), and as set out in Appendix B of the report, continues from 1 April 2024, and that a review be carried out by summer 2024 in order for a decision in January 2025 to consider options for the Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2025/26; and

(ii)          That authority be delegated to the Director of Finance to make changes to the approved scheme during 2024/25 to reflect any requirements set by Government to either the prescribed regulations for pensioners or the local working age scheme to ensure that the scheme remains legally consistent and up to date as the legislation changes.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for New Homes, Jobs and Community Investment

This report seeks approval of the draft new Camden Local Plan (as set out in Appendix A) for consultation and engagement. 

The new Local Plan will be a key delivery mechanism for achieving the Council’s priorities as set out in We Make Camden.  It will ensure that Camden continues to have effective, up-to-date planning policies that will allow the Council to make planning decisions that contribute towards addressing the borough’s need for homes, jobs and infrastructure and ensure that development is delivered in a way that is socially and economically inclusive, responds to the climate and ecological emergency and brings benefits to Camden and its residents.

Under the Council’s Constitution, development plan documents, such as the Local Plan, are reserved for Cabinet decision.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for New Homes, Jobs and Community Investment.

RESOLVED –

THAT, having had due regard to the equality impact assessment at Appendix B of the report, the results of the consultation set out in Appendix C, and having had due regard to the obligations set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:-

(i)            The draft Camden Local Plan (as set out in Appendix A of the report) be approved for public consultation; and

(ii)          Authority be delegated to the Director of Economy, Regeneration and Investment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for New Homes, Jobs and Community Investment, to make minor changes to the draft Camden Local Plan prior to consultation as required, including factual updates, corrections and non-material wording changes.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living

This report provides an update on:

·         The Council’s current financial position and the risks, issues and uncertainties facing the Council over the medium term.

·         The financial position of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account

·         Financial resilience and sustainability of the Council

·         The latest outlook for the Council’s funding and spending

·         Spending Review – Autumn Budget update

·         Economic Outlook

·         Reserves and balances position including planned use

·         Forecast outturn position for 2023/24

·         Recommended Fees & Charges for 2024/25

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

In response to a question, the Cabinet Member remarked that the Council was facing significant financial pressures but its strong record of long term financial planning meant that it was in a relatively robust situation in comparison to some other authorities.

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the continued challenging and uncertain funding and economic outlook for the Council, including the in year forecast outturn position set out in section two of the report, be noted;

(ii)          THAT the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account, along with proposals to improve its financial sustainability detailed in paragraphs 2.31 to 2.40 of the report, be noted;

(iii)         THAT the rent policy for Highgate Newtown Housing, detailed in paragraphs 2.14 to 2.16 of the report, be agreed;

(iv)         THAT, in relation to fees and charges discussed in section 2.24 and Appendix A of the report

(a)          Authority be delegated to the relevant Executive Director to decide increases to existing fees and charges up to a maximum of 7%, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holders.

(b)          The particular content in Appendix A of the report, setting out supporting information for the new fees and charges and the fees and charges where the proposed increase is over 7%, be noted;

(c)          The new fees and charges, and the increase in fees and charges where the proposed increase is over 7%, as shown in Appendix A, be agreed and authority be delegated to the relevant Executive Director to introduce those changes;

(d)          Authority be delegated to the Executive Director Corporate Services to reduce specific fees and charges in exceptional cases as outlined in paragraph 2.25 of the report;

(v)          THAT the Council’s planned use of reserves, summarised in Appendix B of the report, be agreed;

(vi)         THAT the Council’s forecast finance position at Quarter Two of 2023/24, as outlined in paragraphs 2.41 to 2.44 and Appendix C of the report, be noted; and

(vii)        THAT the risks outlined in section four of the report be noted.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living

This report presents the treasury activity during 2022/23 and the first half of 2023/24, compliance with guidance and treasury indicators and an update on the economic background shaping the treasury strategy.

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

RESOLVED –

THAT the annual report and mid-year strategy be noted and recommended to Council for approval.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Better Homes

This report looks at the options for the procurement of property related capital works such as Better Homes works, fire safety, mechanical and electrical schemes such as heating and lifts, retrofit projects and school improvements.

The Council currently has a Camden-led works framework which is due to expire in 2024.

The report recommends that the Council continues with a flexible strategy that will see the procurement of a new Camden-led framework. This will incorporate learning from the current framework and look to secure the specialist support the Council needs for areas such as fire safety and retrofit.

This proposed procurement approach would cover the period 2025/26 to 2028/29, the total value of which is estimated as being £300m. To provide maximum flexibility, the contract notice advertising the framework will include a maximum potential value of £500m.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Better Homes.

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the procurement strategy for the construction and property framework and supporting mechanisms be approved, and it be noted that the value of the procurement is approximately £300m over the four-year period and that, to provide maximum flexibility, the contract notice advertising the framework will include a maximum potential value of £500m;

(ii)          THAT authority be delegated to the Executive Director Supporting Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Better Homes, to award the Framework contracts for the Camden Construction and Property Works Framework;

(iii)         THAT authority be delegated to the Executive Director Supporting Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Better Homes to approve the procurement strategy for contracts procured under the proposed Framework (“call-off contracts”) where the value is £5m or more; and

(iv)         THAT authority be delegated to the Executive Director Supporting Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Better Homes to award contracts procured under the proposed Framework (“call-off contracts”) where the value is over £5m but below £10M.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

There was no urgent business.