Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beales, Gould and Wright.

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 those 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.

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.

No representations were received about exempt matters on the agenda being heard in public.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th February 2024.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th February 2024 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 Best Start for Children and Families

In May 2023, Councillor Sharon Hardwick was appointed by the Leader of the Council to the Cabinet Adviser role with a brief on Child Hunger and Expanding Free School Meals. The role was to engage, research, and develop recommendations for how we might address child hunger and identify opportunities to do so within the school setting, working with one or more Cabinet Members, other Councillors, and groups across Camden and the wider community.

This report examines the 13 recommendations made by the Cabinet Adviser, thematically arranged in three headings: long-term investment needs, medium-term opportunities and recommendations for addressing quick wins. It considers the delivery implications and how the Council can take forward these recommendations as part of our commitment to addressing child hunger and in alignment with our Food Mission.

The Council thanks Cabinet Advisers for their work including primary research, engagement with communities and stakeholders. Our Missions were developed to ensure that we accessed all the resources Camden has to offer in tackling some of our most complex issues – and this includes working with our Councillors as community leaders and sources of expertise. We will continue to update on progress to implement recommendations through Cabinet Members and Scrutiny.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Adviser on Child Hunger and Expanding Free School Meals, which was introduced by Councillor Hardwick, and the response of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families, which was introduced by Councillor Boyland.

The Cabinet Member thanked Councillor Hardwick for her work and summarised his responses to her recommendations as set out in the report, adding that he looked forward to continuing to work with her in order to implement her recommendations.

Members of the Cabinet welcomed the report and the value that it added in this important area.

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the recommendations made by the Cabinet Adviser on Child Hunger and Free School Meals be noted;

(ii)          THAT the response from the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families be noted; and

(iii)         THAT the actions outlined in the report after each Cabinet Adviser recommendation be agreed.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families

Camden’s school meals contract with Cater Link Ltd is due to end in April 2025. It was last reprocured in 2017, a very different policy context to the present before both the pandemic and cost-of-living crises. So often, our responses to these crises have been anchored in the provision of food. We therefore believe that in the medium term, there is an opportunity to develop an in-house school meals service, which could allow us to deliver the highest quality to schools and pupils, while also progressing our long-term ambitions through the Food Mission and We Make Camden.

Officers’ assessment is that it is not practically possible to deliver an insourced service on a safe basis for April 2025, given the amount and range of preparatory work required. It is therefore recommended that we undertake a short-term procurement, which will allow us the time and flexibility to develop an insourcing proposition and ensure that we can maximise the potential strategic opportunities that could arise from a future insourced service.

The report is being submitted to the Cabinet in line with Contract Standing Orders, which state that the Cabinet must agree procurement strategies for contracts over £5,000,000 (CSO C3.4).

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families.

RESOLVED –

THAT, having considered the results of the equalities impact assessment at Appendix A of the report, and having had due regard to the obligations set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:

(i)            The procurement strategy, which includes a price/quality split of 50/50 and contract term of 3 years, plus 2 extensions of 1 year, for an estimated aggregate value (including extensions) of £24.0 million, be agreed;

(ii)        Authority to agree the contract award be delegated to the Executive Director Children and Learning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families; and

(ii)          The opportunity, set out in paragraphs 1.5-1.16, to insource the Council’s school meals service in future, and the work underway to develop a medium-term insourcing proposition, be noted.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture

In May 2023, Councillor Aref-Adib was appointed by the Leader of the Council to the Cabinet Adviser role with a brief to engage, research, and develop recommendations for how we might ensure young people have access to physical activity, working with one or more Cabinet Members, other Councillors, and groups across Camden and the wider community.

This role is in recognition of the importance Camden places on physical activity as an enabler of health, social connection, and opportunity. The positive impact of sport has is extensive and well evidenced, sadly however not everyone is taking part and the recommendations of the Cabinet Adviser’s report seeks to challenge this situation. Increasing the number of children accessing sport will help achieve key priorities of We Make Camden and Camden’s youth mission to ensure every young person has access to economic opportunity to be safe and secure. Sport can play a major role in supporting young people’s wellbeing and confidence, and in turn their ability to access economic opportunities. Making sport a habit from a young age also creates good baits for later in life, increasing the health benefits and helping individuals life active and happy lives.

The Council thanks Cabinet Advisers for their work including primary research, engagement with communities and stakeholders. Our Missions were developed to ensure that we accessed all the resources Camden has to offer in tackling some of our most complex issues – and this includes working with our Councillors as community leaders and sources of expertise. We will continue to update on progress to implement recommendations through Cabinet Members and Scrutiny.

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet Adviser on Opening Up Access to Sport for Young People, which was introduced by Councillor Aref-Adib, and to the response of the Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture, which was introduced by Councillor Francis.

In response to a question regarding the possibility of a sports pitch on Parliament Hill, Councillor Aref-Adib remarked that there were challenges relating to the poor drainage in that area but there were options to be explored.

Councillor Francis thanked Councillor Aref-Adib for his work and summarised her responses to his recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the recommendations made by the Cabinet Adviser on Opening up Access to Sport for Young People in his report be noted;

(ii)          THAT the responses from the Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture set out against each of the Cabinet Adviser’s recommendations in Section 3 (paragraphs 3.1 to 3.68 of the report) be noted; and

(iii)         THAT the action to be taken forward, as summarised in Section 4 of the report, be agreed.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Safer Communities

This report examines the recommendations of the Cabinet Adviser, considers the delivery implications and makes recommendations for how the Council can take these forward as part of our commitment to eliminating violence and abuse for women and girls.

The Leader and the Council have established Cabinet Adviser roles to provide evidence-based policy support and recommendations to the Council’s Cabinet. Councillor Nasrine Djemai was appointed Cabinet Adviser on reducing violence and abuse for women and girls in the 2023/24 municipal year. Her work gives recommendations under three key themes, namely education, addressing violence in the private realm, and addressing violence in the public realm. The recommendations of the report were considered and supported by Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee in February 2024.

The Council welcomes the research and recommendations of the Cabinet Adviser and, alongside this formal response, will continue to think about how we can reflect on the research gathered and incorporate the findings into our policy development and change programme for eliminating violence against women and girls.

This report provides a response and commentary on each recommendation in turn, as well as detailing the work already ongoing in Camden to eliminate violence and abuse for women and girls.

The Council thanks Cabinet Advisers for their work including primary research, engagement with communities and stakeholders. Our Missions were developed to ensure that we accessed all the resources Camden has to offer in tackling some of our most complex issues – and this includes working with our Councillors as community leaders and sources of expertise. We will continue to update on progress to implement recommendations through Cabinet Members and Scrutiny.

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet Adviser on Reducing Violence and Abuse Against Women and Girls, and to the response of the Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, which was introduced by Councillor Callaghan.

The Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families remarked that he looked forward to working with Councillor Callaghan on taking forward to recommendation about self-defence classes in schools.

It was suggested that the ward walkabouts should be open not just to women and girls, but also to allies, and that youth services should be looped in on initiatives such as self-defence classes and expanding the Positive Masculinity project.  The Executive Director Children and Learning responded that he would connect with both the Youth Service and Camden Learning on these initiatives.

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the recommendations made by the Cabinet Adviser on Reducing Violence and Abuse for Women and Girls be noted; and

(ii)          THAT the responses to the recommendations set out in the schedule at paragraph 2.45 of the report be agreed.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families and the Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care

This report seeks approval for the commissioning strategy for the health visiting service from 1 April 2025. The report proposes a new Section 75 partnership agreement between Camden Council and the current provider, Central and North West London Foundation Trust (CNWL). The agreement would be for a period of five years with a 12 month break clause. This would build on the long-standing partnership between the two organisations.

The report is coming to the Cabinet because existing arrangements will end on 31 March 2025 and the Council needs to make a decision on the future provision of this service. The total value of the proposed Section 75 agreement means a Cabinet decision is needed.

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

RESOLVED –

THAT, having considered the results of the consultation set out in Appendix A of the report, and having had due regard to the obligations set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:

(i)            The strategy for the provision of health visiting by way of a partnership agreement between Camden Council and Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) under Section 75 (S75) of the National Health Service Act 2006 for a term of five years, from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2030, with a total budget across five years of £22,065,000 (£4.413m per annum), be agreed;

(ii)        The S75 arrangements be made via Direct Award (Route C) under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 which came into force on 1st January 2024; and

(ii)          Authority be delegated to the Director of Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life and the Cabinet Member for Health Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, to agree and finalise the terms of the Section 75 agreement, including the service specification for the integrated service.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living

This report relates to Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve which has been used as a woodland nature reserve for over 30 years with the support of a group of the local volunteers, the Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve Trust, who have given up their free time to manage the site.

The Council acquired the Nature Reserve in May 2022 at public auction. The primary purpose of the purchase was to safeguard its use as a nature reserve going forwards after previous public access arrangements ceased in 2019 with the site being leased to a sole occupier for nursery Forest School use.

Since the acquisition, officers have worked together with the community, in particular the Mortimer Terrace Trust and their partner organisation the Camden Community Makers, a local Community Land Trust (CLT), to actively consider future management options for the Nature Reserve once the nursery lease expires.

Cabinet is therefore asked to agree to give a formal public commitment on behalf of the Council that the Nature Reserve site will be safeguarded for use as a nature reserve in partnership with the local community at all times going forwards.

Cabinet is also asked to give an in principle commitment that subject to compliance with all legal requirements the Council will:

-       formally declare the nature reserve as a Local Nature Reserve under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act as soon as it is able, subject to the necessary process

-       Make a decision to seek the authority to transfer the freehold of the nature reserve to the Community Land Trust following expiry of the current lease of the site.

The report is coming to the Cabinet because Cabinet retain oversight of land and property resources, item 14 of Cabinet Terms of Reference.

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

RESOLVED –

THAT, subject to compliance with all statutory requirements and having had due regard to the obligations in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and the EqIA contained at Appendix 2, in order to enable the preservation of the Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve for the future benefit of the people of Camden it be agreed:

(i)            That the Council will, at the end of the current lease, begin the process of declaring Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve as a Local Nature Reserve (pursuant to Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act) and authority be delegated to the Executive Director Supporting Communities to take all necessary steps to achieve this goal.

(ii)          That authority be delegated to the Executive Director Supporting Communities to take all necessary steps to transfer the freehold to community ownership (envisaged to be through the Camden Makers Community Land Trust) at zero cost on terms which safeguard its use as a nature reserve at all times going forward.

(iii)         To note the application to maintain the Nature Reserve’s status as an Asset of Community Value and the Council, as landowner, support of this application.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden

This report sets out a proposed approach to the commissioning of the future Grounds Maintenance and Play Service. The report seeks approval for the procurement process to award a new contract to commence in April 2026, for the majority of the service. This contract will be for a period of 5 years, with the option to extend for period/s up to a further 3 years in total. The remaining portion, the Horticultural service, is due to be insourced.

This proposed approach is not the lowest cost delivery model considered; however it is recommended as it provides the Council with the capacity to respond relationally with neighbourhoods whilst harnessing the expertise and capacities of a contractor to deliver the transactional/ volume maintenance work. This enables the Council to optimise and balance existing core service deliverables with the additional benefits of direct employment enabling the continued investment in local citizens through fair pay and assured employment, progression, and a focus on equal opportunities and diversity.  It is expected this approach provides value for money and practical division of responsibilities to best suit our needs in the context of financial constraints of both the Council and our housing tenants.

The current contract with idverde Limited ends on 31st March 2025 with no further options to extend. The contract has been performing well and it is proposed to award an extension of the contract for a period of 12 months to allow the service to continue while the procurement and insourcing processes are completed. This report therefore also sets out the request for a waiver of Contract Standing Orders, for an estimated total value of £3,396,153.60.

The report is being submitted to the Cabinet in line with Contract Standing Orders, which stated that the Cabinet must agree procurement strategies for contracts over £5,000,000 (CSO C3.4).

Part II: Exempt from Publication

This report has an appendix which contains information exempt within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and is not for publication. The appendix has therefore been circulated to Cabinet Members only.

If the Cabinet wishes to discuss the contents of an exempt appendix it may pass the proposed resolution set out below to exclude members of the public and the press from the proceedings for that discussion.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden.

RESOLVED –

THAT, having considered the results of the consultation set out in section 5 of the report and the results of the equalities impact assessment at Appendix 2 of the report, and having had due regard to the obligations set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:

(i)            The procurement strategy, which includes a price/quality (Including social value) split of 60/40 and contract term of 5 years plus further extension/s up to a total of 3 years (including a break clause after the initial 3 years) for an estimated aggregate value (including extensions) of £34,296,000, be agreed;

(ii)          Insourcing the provision of the Horticultural Service for an estimated aggregate value of £7,440,000 be agreed;

(iii)         Authority be delegated to the Executive Director Supporting Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden, to make the contract award decision; and

(iv)         Contract Standing Order C3.1 be waived in order to extend the current contract with Idverde Limited from 1st April 2025 for twelve months for an estimated aggregate value of £3,396,153.60 (in line with Contract Standing Order F3.4).

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.

There was no urgent business.