This week in Camden:

Schools Face Funding Squeeze as Deficits Grow

Camden's schools are grappling with increasing financial pressures, with the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) showing an overall overspend of £4.203 million for the 2025/26 financial year. This marks a significant increase from the previous year's overspend and raises concerns about the financial health of individual schools, particularly in the High Needs Block, which is projected to have a deficit of £10.7 million for 2026/27.

The Schools Forum met on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, to discuss these critical financial matters. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is the primary source of funding for schools and early years provision, and its overspend indicates that expenditure is outstripping income. This situation is exacerbated by national economic pressures and ongoing real terms funding constraints.

The report presented to the forum highlighted that the number of schools closing with a deficit balance has risen from 12 at the end of 2024/25 to 16 at the end of 2025/26. This trend is worrying, as schools with deficits may struggle to provide the full range of educational services and support for their pupils, potentially impacting the quality of education and resources available, especially for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who rely on the High Needs Block.

While the overall DSG reserve remains in surplus at £14.727 million, the growing deficits in specific blocks, like the High Needs Block, signal a need for careful financial management and potential interventions to support struggling schools. The council is working with headteachers to mitigate these pressures, but the long-term outlook for school funding remains a significant concern.

Link to the Schools Forum meeting

Leaseholders' Forum Gears Up for Constitutional Changes and Service Updates

The Leaseholders' Forum convened on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, to discuss proposed amendments to its constitution and code of conduct, alongside updates on key council services affecting leaseholders. The forum, which represents the interests of leaseholders in Camden, is a vital channel for ensuring their voices are heard on matters such as repairs, asset management, and service charges.

A significant part of the meeting focused on proposed changes to the Forum's Constitution and Code of Conduct. These amendments, intended to be agreed upon by the Representatives, aim to refine the Forum's operational framework, including its aims, membership, and meeting procedures. Such changes are crucial for ensuring the Forum can effectively advocate for leaseholders and hold the council accountable.

The agenda also included the election of Co-Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and a Communications Member for the upcoming municipal year. These leadership roles are essential for guiding the Forum's work and ensuring its continued engagement with the council.

Updates were also scheduled on repairs, leaseholder satisfaction surveys, and the asset management strategy. These discussions are directly relevant to the daily lives of leaseholders, impacting the quality of their homes and the value of their properties. The progress report on actions from previous meetings and the Home Ownership Manager's update, which included frequently asked questions, aimed to provide transparency and address leaseholders' concerns directly.

Link to the Leaseholders' Forum meeting

New Late-Night Venues Face Stiff Opposition

Two new late-night venues, No.7 Lounge and Popeyes, faced significant opposition from residents and authorities at a Licensing Panel A meeting on Thursday, 4 June 2026. The applications for new premises licences highlighted ongoing tensions between businesses seeking to operate late into the night and communities concerned about noise, public nuisance, and safety.

At No.7 Lounge, located at 7 Percy Street, London, W1T 1DH, the application for alcohol sales, live music, and late-night refreshments until 01:30 (and 02:00 for opening hours) drew objections from the Police, Environmental Health, the Licensing Authority, a resident group, and a local resident. Concerns ranged from potential gambling activities and smoking violations to noise disturbance from patrons and music. The Charlotte Street Association specifically objected due to the premises' proximity to residential areas and the proposed hours exceeding planning permission.

Similarly, the application for Popeyes at Unit 6, 6-17 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 1BG, seeking late-night refreshment hours until 05:00, faced strong opposition. The Licensing Authority, Environmental Health, the Charlotte Street Association, and nine local residents raised alarms about potential public nuisance, crime, and disorder due to the late operating hours, particularly for deliveries. Residents expressed worries about noise from customers, delivery drivers, litter, and the cumulative impact on their neighbourhood.

These applications underscore the council's role in balancing economic development with the need to protect residents from the negative consequences of late-night operations. The detailed objections highlight the real-world impact on those living in the vicinity, who fear a decline in their quality of life.

Link to the Licensing Panel A meeting

Other Matters

Council's Governance Framework Undergoing Review

The Constitution of the London Borough of Camden was scheduled for discussion at a meeting on Wednesday, 3 June 2026. This fundamental document outlines how the council operates, makes decisions, and adheres to procedural rules. A comprehensive review of the Constitution is vital for ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in local governance, impacting how services are delivered and how residents' concerns are addressed. The meeting's agenda indicated a thorough review of the entire Constitution, which covers articles, responsibility for functions, procedure rules, codes of conduct, and more.

Link to the Constitution meeting

This week in Camden:

Council's Rulebook Undergoes Essential Review

Camden Council's foundational document, its Constitution, was scheduled for review at a meeting on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. This comprehensive document dictates how the council operates, makes decisions, and adheres to procedural rules. Ensuring its clarity and effectiveness is crucial for transparent and accountable local governance, impacting everything from how services are delivered to how residents' concerns are heard. Link to the Constitution meeting

The Blueprint for Camden's Governance

The Council's Constitution, first adopted in 2001 and subsequently amended, sets out the principles of openness, responsiveness, representativeness, stewardship, and integrity. It is divided into numerous parts, detailing everything from the roles of councillors and officers to the procedures for meetings and decision-making.

The review of this vital document is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring that the council functions efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all residents. Changes to the Constitution can have a direct impact on how decisions are made, who is responsible for them, and how accessible council processes are to the public. For vulnerable groups, a clear and well-understood Constitution can mean the difference between services being responsive to their needs or being difficult to access.

The report pack detailed the entirety of the London Borough of Camden's Constitution, covering:

• Articles: Outlining the fundamental principles and structure of the council.
• Responsibility for Functions: Defining which bodies and individuals are accountable for specific council services.
• Procedure Rules and Standing Orders: Setting the rules for how meetings are conducted and how decisions are made.
• Codes and Protocols: Establishing ethical guidelines and expected behaviours for councillors and officers.
• Members' Allowance Scheme: Detailing how councillors are remunerated.
• Management Structure: Outlining the council's organisational chart.

The review process is a critical part of local democracy, ensuring that the council's governance remains fit for purpose and continues to serve the community effectively.

This week in Camden:

New Council Year Begins: Mayor, Leader, and Committees Formed

Camden Council has officially begun its new municipal year with a formal meeting on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. This crucial session saw the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the appointment of the Council Leader and their Cabinet, and the establishment of the various committees that will steer the borough's work over the coming year. These decisions lay the groundwork for how council services will be managed and how decisions affecting residents, particularly the most vulnerable, will be made.

The meeting began with the formal presentation of the election results for borough councillors, confirming the representatives for each of Camden's 20 wards. Following this, the council proceeded with the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year, a ceremonial but important role in the council's civic life.

A key decision was the election of the Leader of the Council, who will be responsible for appointing their Cabinet and setting the council's strategic direction. The Leader's choices will directly influence policy priorities, resource allocation, and the overall approach to serving the community.

The council also reviewed and established its various bodies and committees for the 2026/27 municipal year. This includes confirming the terms of reference and appointing members to committees such as the Planning Committee, Licensing Committees, and Scrutiny Committees. The composition and remit of these committees are vital, as they are where many significant decisions about local services, development, and regulation are made. For instance, the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee plays a critical role in overseeing financial reporting and risk management, ensuring public money is spent responsibly. The Health and Wellbeing Board, another key body, is tasked with improving the health and well-being of all Camden residents.

Proposed amendments to the Council's Constitution were also discussed. These changes, which can affect how decisions are made and how the council operates, included adjustments to the wording regarding the sealing of Council deeds and the allocation of statutory roles, such as the Section 151 officer position, which is proposed to move from the Executive Director Corporate Services to the Director of Finance. The report detailed how political balance is maintained across committees, ensuring different viewpoints are represented, though it noted that this principle is disapplied for the Cabinet, Licensing Panels, and the Standards Committee.

Link to the Council meeting

This week in Camden:

Late-Night Dessert Spot's Licence Application Cancelled Amidst Resident Concerns

A planned decision on a new late-night dessert venue, Insomnia Cookies, at 177 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JY, has been postponed as the Licensing Panel D meeting scheduled for Thursday, 30 April 2026, was cancelled. The application sought permission for the premises to serve hot food and drinks from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM daily, with the venue open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 AM.

The proposal had attracted significant objections from both the Licensing Authority and local residents. The Licensing Authority raised concerns that the proposed hours were outside the council's framework for such venues, arguing that the applicant had not provided sufficient detail to justify remaining open until 5:00 AM. Their primary worry was the potential for increased late-night activity, noise, and litter in the Camden Town area, which could negatively impact public nuisance and safety. They recommended revised operating hours, closing by 1:00 AM on Sundays to Wednesdays and 2:00 AM on Thursdays to Saturdays, along with measures for litter control and staff training.

Residents, including Robert and Christine Buchanan, echoed these concerns, fearing a rise in late-night disturbances, noise, litter, and potentially increased crime and anti-social behaviour. They expressed a desire to maintain the character of their local High Street, which they felt already had a high concentration of late-night food outlets.

The meeting was also set to discuss guidance on remote meetings, outlining procedures for conducting hearings via Microsoft Teams.

Link to the Licensing Panel D meeting