The Kentish Town District Management Committee met to discuss the Housing Revenue Account's medium-term financial strategy, an update on stock condition surveys for the area, and the budget for the committee itself. The meeting also included an update from the Cabinet Member for Better Homes and Homelessness Prevention.

HRA Medium Term Financial Strategy & Engagement for Budget Setting 2027/28

The committee was scheduled to consider a report outlining the financial challenges facing the Council and their impact on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The report detailed the significant savings programme being developed for 2027/28 to 2029/30, with an estimated £8m to £12m in savings needed over the next three years to balance the housing budget. This is partly due to rising costs for essential services, increased demand, and the need to spend more on keeping homes safe and meeting new legal requirements, such as those related to fire safety and damp and mould.

The report also proposed a new approach to engaging residents on budget and rent-setting consultations. Historically, this engagement was primarily through District Management Committees (DMCs), but feedback indicated that residents felt unable to influence outcomes. The proposed changes aim to make the consultation more open, accessible, and meaningful for all tenants, offering online and written participation options, alongside face-to-face events. DMCs will still be invited to provide feedback as a group. Key dates for this process were outlined, including previewing proposals at DMCs in December and a consultation window leading up to a January Cabinet decision.

Stock Condition Survey Update for Kentish Town

A report was presented detailing the five-year programme for the Kentish Town estates, covering the Kentish Town South, Kentish Town North, Highgate, and Camden Square Wards. The report included information on planned works such as fire safety improvements, including fire doors and fire compartmentation, as well as mechanical and electrical works and energy efficiency measures. Specific blocks and estates were listed with details of the identified works and the planned year for their completion.

Cabinet Member for Better Homes and Homelessness Prevention Update

Councillor Anna Wright, Cabinet Member for Better Homes and Homelessness Prevention, provided an update on several key areas. This included progress on the Voids Improvement Programme, which aims to reduce the number of active void properties and improve turnaround times. The report welcomed DMCs highlighting any council homes believed to have been empty for a long period.

Improvements to Housing IT systems were also discussed, focusing on four priority areas: Temporary Accommodation, Awaab's Law (Repairs), Resident Interaction (Project Lighthouse), and True Compliance. The report highlighted work on data quality and governance, and the phased implementation of new systems.

The update also covered the new in-house gas boiler team, noting their positive start despite ongoing IT issues. An automated SMS notification service for lift repairs was highlighted, which has sent over 33,000 notifications since January 2026. Preparations for winter, including ensuring the resilience of communal heating and hot water systems, were also detailed.

Finally, the report provided an update on the completion of the major works programme at the Chalcots Estate, including A1 fire-rated cladding and new windows. It acknowledged the difficult experience for residents and mentioned a Stage 2 Review looking back at previous PFI work. Progress on the wider resident safety commitment was also outlined, with significant investment in fire safety works, including alarms, detectors, and fire-rated doors.

Kentish Town DMC Budget

The committee was scheduled to review the Kentish Town DMC budget for 2026/2027, which totalled £160,920.00. TRAs were encouraged to submit bids early for assessment. The report detailed bids approved to date, including £1,993 for a green space project by Holly Lodge Residents Association and £26,842.40 for the refurbishment of tennis courts at Lissenden Gardens TRA. A new bid for £19,727.00 for a communal gating system at Bernard Shaw Court was also presented for consideration.

Engagement Report

This report, provided for information only, offered an overview of engagement activities, service delivery, and community initiatives in Kentish Town between June and August 2026. It detailed work supporting Tenant and Resident Associations (TRAs), DMC processes, community projects, and partnerships. Key achievements included the delivery of a successful Neighbourhood Action Day, increased resident participation in Annual General Meetings, and the rollout of universal key access systems for TRA halls. The report also noted challenges such as reduced availability during the summer holiday period and the complexities of project approvals.

Tenant Satisfaction Measures 2025/26

This report, for information only, presented Camden's Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) results for the 2025/2026 financial year. It covered perception measures from tenant surveys and management information on operational data. The report indicated a slight decrease in overall satisfaction from the previous year, with particular declines in tenants' perception of being listened to and how anti-social behaviour is handled. Improvements were noted in satisfaction with repairs completion times and complaints handling. The report also highlighted specific areas such as communal lift safety checks and the need to address overdue fire and building safety actions.

Tenant Engagement Quarterly Report: Q2 2026/27

This report, for information only, provided insights and recommendations from the quarterly monitoring of tenant engagement activities and forums. It detailed resident engagement events, including Neighbourhood Action Days held in Hampstead, Kentish Town, and Gospel Oak. The report also discussed feedback on rent-setting consultations, noting that previous events were perceived as not allowing residents to influence outcomes. Proposals for a more accessible and inclusive consultation process were outlined. Attendance data showed a concentration of participants in areas where Neighbourhood Action Days were held, with a notable underrepresentation of younger tenants. Feedback from residents was overwhelmingly positive, with many valuing face-to-face interaction and the opportunity to resolve issues and influence decision-making.

Homes & Communities Performance Report: Q1 2026/27

This report, for information only, provided an overview of the Homes & Communities directorate's performance during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. It highlighted high demand for housing services, including homelessness approaches and temporary accommodation, alongside strong performance in housing income and leaseholder services. Building safety and compliance remained strong overall, though challenges were noted in gas safety and overdue fire and building safety actions. The repairs service focused on reducing backlogs, with improvements in void property turnaround times but a decline in non-emergency repair completion timescales. Neighbourhood management showed continued action on anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse, with an increase in tenancy visits.

Any Other Business That the Chair Considers Urgent

There were no items of urgent business scheduled for discussion.