The meeting was due to begin with the formal registration of Tenants' and Residents' Associations (TRAs) who would be co-opted to the Committee. A report was then scheduled to be provided on the status of previously approved projects, followed by discussions on a range of local issues and new bids for funding.

Registration of TRAs

Appendix A of the agenda contains a list of all of the TRAs that were eligible to be registered to the meeting, together with their representatives and their substitutes. Appendix B lists the TRAs whose registration has lapsed because they did not provide minutes of their most recent AGM.

Lifts

A report was scheduled to be provided by the Director of Property Management on the topic of lifts.

Voids

A report was scheduled to be provided by the Director of Housing on the topic of void properties.

DMC Bids Process Review

The Committee was scheduled to review its process for making spending decisions, noting that the bidding process was last reviewed almost 5yrs ago. The proposed process would divide all bids into those worth less than £5,000 and those worth more than £5,000. Bids worth less than £5,000 would be reviewed by officers, and then if they are satisfied they would be sent to the DMC chairs who could choose to approve them without holding a formal vote. All other bids would be decided by a formal vote at a meeting.

Bids that meet the current criteria and are under £5K, on satisfactory review will be sent to the respective DMC chairs who will consult with members for a decision outside of a formal DMC meeting.

Gospel Oak DMC Budget

The Committee was scheduled to receive its budget for the 2024/2025 financial year, and to discuss its progress on spending its existing budget. They were scheduled to note that the deadline for spending their allocated budget for the 2023/24 financial year had recently passed, and that usually unspent funds could not be carried forward. The Committee was scheduled to consider two new bids:

• Forge, Mutton & Castle Road TRA requested £14,194.44 for the second phase of their external estate lighting project.
• Ingestre Road TRA requested £16,166.73 for the third phase of their external estate lighting project.

Cabinet Member for Better Homes Update

Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali, Cabinet Member for Better Homes, was scheduled to update the Committee on the Better Homes portfolio, highlighting the impact of the Cost of Living crisis.

The cost-of-living crisis has had a huge impact on communities across Camden, which has meant some of our residents have had to reach out for council support for the first time, and many of our communities already in poverty have had their hardships exacerbated.

Councillor Abdi-Wali was scheduled to tell the Committee that the Council is developing a new Asset Management Strategy to be considered by the Cabinet.

The council is developing an Asset Management Strategy to be considered by Cabinet later in the year, which will set out a 5 year capital investment plan and how this will be funded.

Residents Action Day Update

The Committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Resident Action Day that had been planned for earlier in the year, but had been postponed because of the General Election. The event is scheduled to take place on the 28th of September 2024 at the Crowndale Conference Centre¹. The Crowndale Conference Centre is a large event space run by Camden Council.

Asbestos Removal

Following a request at the previous meeting, the Committee was scheduled to receive an update explaining how the Council manages asbestos in its properties. They were scheduled to be reminded that:

Tenants must not carry out any alterations to their properties without a written permission from Camden Council.

The Committee was scheduled to note that the Council is required to keep an asbestos register, and that it must employ qualified contractors to assess and remove asbestos.

Update on Heads of Service Event

The Committee was scheduled to be reminded that there would be a 'Meet Your Service Heads' session on the evening of the 2nd of September 2024, where residents could meet senior council officers and ask them questions about their work.

Works Communication to Tenants and Residents

The Committee was scheduled to receive an update on how the Council communicates with residents about planned works to their properties, and to note the requirement for all council staff and contractors to carry ID cards.

Fire Safety Update

The Committee was scheduled to receive an update on fire safety, including a reminder about the importance of fire doors, and advice on how to stay safe on balconies during the summer.