This meeting includes a wide range of updates and reports including reports from Thames Water and the Cabinet Member for New Homes and Community Investment, Councillor Nasrine Djemai, and a progress update on the dockless bike hire scheme in Camden. The meeting will also review the committee's work programme for 2024/25, discuss potential areas for the 2025/26 programme, and track actions from previous meetings.

Dockless Bike Hire Scheme

The report pack contains a progress update on the dockless bike hire scheme in Camden. The report states that the scheme has seen steep growth in usage since its inception in 2019, with a particularly strong increase in the last year, from around 127,000 rides per month to an estimated average of 330,000 rides per month in 2024. The report pack attributes the growth to a number of factors including: competitive pricing for rides that begin in Camden, an increase in the number of designated parking bays, and general growth in the popularity of the services.

The report pack also says that the dockless bike hire scheme helps deliver a number of wider Camden and London-wide transport, climate and air quality goals and that:

shared mobility, and micro-mobility, is an increasingly important part of the transport mix in the Borough.

The report pack includes appendices containing modal shift analysis from both of the operators in Camden: Lime and Forest, and a sustainability and carbon life cycle report from Lime.

The report pack also acknowledges some ongoing issues with the dockless bike scheme, particularly in relation to how bikes are parked, and says that the overspill of bikes from some bays has in some instances caused some significant disruption including:

• Blocking dropped kerbs and crossings
• Blocking entrances and private driveways
• Creating a general public nuisance

The report pack says that the council is trying to address these issues through contract management and by implementing a number of mitigations. The mitigations include:

• Increasing the number of designated parking bays.
• Working with operators to investigate installing bluetooth beacons at some parking bays to address issues with GPS drift.
• Encouraging greater rider education and the use of technology to incentivise better parking practices.
• Lobbying the government for legislation to regulate the operation of on-street micromobility schemes.

The report pack also says that the council is:

exploring the feasibility of joining any such schemes

in relation to proposals being developed by Transport for London (TfL) for a future, pan-London framework for managing DBH and e-scooter schemes.

The report pack says that the council extended the initial 2-year contract with Forest and Lime for a further year in February 2025, and that it will continue to monitor the operation of the service and make a decision on whether to extend the contracts for a final year at the end of the extension period.

Thames Water Update

The report pack contains a report from Thames Water. It provides an update on a number of works and investments that Thames Water is undertaking in Camden. The report mentions that:

Camden’s water supply is derived from five key water treatment works across London; Coppermills, Kempton Park, Ashford Common, Walton and Hampton.

The report details work that will be carried out at all five in the coming five years. The works are part of an £860 million investment programme being undertaken by Thames Water.

The report pack also describes the Sewer Flooding Resilience Programme that Thames Water has carried out in Camden since the extreme storms of 2021. It explains that flood protection measures, including non-return valves, FLIPs¹, and in-sewer devices, have been installed at 44 properties in Camden.

The report pack says that the properties are located on:

• Belsize Road
• Fairhazel Gardens
• Goldhurst Terrace
• Priory Road

The report pack goes on to say that collaborative work is essential in mitigating the wider risks of flooding, and that Thames Water is working with London Councils, the Greater London Authority, and the Environment Agency on the London Surface Water Strategy Group to develop a strategy for managing surface water flood risk in London. The strategy is expected to be published in the coming months.

The report also includes an update on two recent bursts on Belsize Road. It says that investigations by Thames Water have found that the burst in December 2022 was caused by ground movement after the long, dry summer, followed by a wet winter. It goes on to explain that the pipe does not have a history of bursts, and is in relatively good condition, and that:

There are therefore no plans to replace this pipe in the coming five years.

The report pack says that, while there is not an imminent risk of a further burst on the 15-inch pipe that burst in September 2023, that pipe is not in as good condition as the other pipe that burst on Belsize Road. Thames Water is therefore making the case to Ofwat that this pipe should be replaced within AMP8². The report pack also says that Thames Water will share further details with residents and the council once we have them.

Annual report of the Cabinet Member for New Homes and Community Investment

The report pack contains the annual report from Councillor Nasrine Djemai, the Cabinet Member for New Homes and Community Investment, in which she details the progress that has been made delivering new homes and other projects in the borough.

Community Investment Programme

The report pack explains that Camden's Community Investment Programme (CIP) has delivered over 1,750 new homes, 70% of which were affordable, since it began in 2010. It goes on to say that in 2024 the CIP completed 3 residential and 2 non-residential schemes, including:

• 169 new homes.
• A state of the art community facility.
• The council's first workspace.

The report pack provides further details about each of the schemes:

• Tybalds Phase 1a delivered 10 social rented homes in the underbuilds of three blocks on the Tybalds Estate. It explains that four of the homes were let to existing Tybalds Estate residents.
• Agar Grove Phase 1c, the third phase of the Agar Grove estate redevelopment, delivered 125 homes, 55% of which were deemed affordable, along with new retail space.
• Central Somers Town Phase 2 delivered 34 social rented homes that will be managed by Camden Living Housing Association.
• The Highgate Newtown Community Centre, located on the Highgate Newtown Estate, opened. It says that the centre concludes the Highgate Newtown Scheme which also delivered 36 genuinely affordable homes in late 2023.
• Liddell Place Workspace, located at Liddell Place, opened. The report pack explains that the workspace is council owned, and that the lease has been signed, and that following fit-out it will begin generating income for the council.

The report says that there are four CIP projects currently under construction, which will deliver a total of 332 homes (239 of which will be genuinely affordable) when they are completed.

The report also discusses the challenges faced by the council in increasing the supply of affordable housing in Camden, including a 91% reduction in GLA funding for affordable housing in 2023/24. It goes on to say that, despite the challenges:

The CIP programme has already delivered over a third of its target and has identified sites for the remainder, subject to planning and funding.

It details a number of other key projects that the CIP is working on:

• Bacton Low Rise Estate. The report pack says that a development agreement was signed last year, enabling the council to work with a developer and secure a substantial amount of GLA grant funding. It says that the project is expected to submit a planning application in the summer of 2025, with construction to begin in 2026.
• Camley Street. The report pack says that the council signed a development agreement with a developer for the project in 2024, and that a planning application is expected later in 2025.

The report pack then goes on to detail progress that has been made delivering a number of the administration's 2021 manifesto commitments, including:

• The construction of two new hostels at Camden Road and Chester Road to accommodate homeless families. It says that both are expected to be completed by Autumn 2026.
• The purchase of 209 former council homes which were sold under Right to Buy, for use as temporary accommodation. The report pack says that the council continue to explore options to expand this programme.
• The development of 350 new homes (of which 50% will be genuinely affordable) and 200,000 sq ft of commercial space at Camley Street.
• The development of new homes on the Wendling and West Kentish Town estates.
• The delivery of the first Community Land Trust scheme at 31 Daleham Gardens.
• The construction of 10 four bedroom social-rented homes at Godwin and Crowndale estates, and design and engagement work on four other small sites projects on the Castle Road, Bernard Shaw Foster Court, Highgate Road, and Raglan Street estates.

The report explains that the council has set up a new Registered Provider company called Camden Living Housing Association to increase the speed of new housing delivery.

New Homes delivered through the planning system

The report pack also says that Camden is performing below the government's targets for housing delivery. It says that, while new home building in the borough has increased since 2019/20, only 1,539 homes were delivered in Camden from 2021/22 to 2023/24, against a target of 2,927. It attributes the shortfall to a number of factors, including:

• Rising development costs
• A subdued sales market
• The prioritisation of other land uses, such as student accommodation, life sciences, and hotels.

The report pack says that Camden is working to address the shortfall by taking a number of actions, including:

• Adopting planning frameworks for areas with development potential, including Kentish Town, West Hampstead, Camley Street, and Camden Goods Yard.
• Using its statutory powers, including compulsory purchase, where necessary to facilitate development.
• Working with the GLA and developers on large sites such as Regis Road and the O2 Centre.

The report pack details progress made on the following projects:

• The O2 Centre, where 1,800 new homes, 198 of which are deemed affordable, have been approved, with work on the first phase of 600 homes already underway. It explains that Landsec U+I, who submitted the application, has asked the council to consider using compulsory purchase powers to speed up the project. The report pack says that the council will consider Landsec U+I's request in April 2025.
• The Canalside to Camley Street area, where three schemes, the Oriel, St Pancras Campus, and Tribeca are all under construction. It explains that the Tribeca and St Pancras Campus schemes are commercial developments but that they will include 47 affordable homes, as well as new public spaces and affordable workspace. The report pack says that St Pancras Campus will be the new home for the Museum of Youth Culture.
• Camden Goods Yard, where the first phases of the redevelopment of the Morrisons site are under construction, and will deliver 218 homes for sale, and 60 homes for intermediate rent, as well as a new supermarket.
• 100 Chalk Farm Road, where a student accommodation scheme was granted planning permission last year. The report pack says that the scheme will also include 30 affordable homes.
• Juniper Crescent, where a planning application is expected imminently for a development including 290 homes, 100 of which will be affordable.

The report also explains the council's innovative 'housing uplift' policy, which applies a cascade approach to the delivery of new housing where new commercial development is proposed in certain areas of the borough. It says that, over the past year, the policy has secured £23 million from the British Library Extension, and £27 million from the proposed Euston Tower development. It also says that the policy helped deliver 19 affordable homes at Selkirk House. It goes on to say that construction work is ongoing or has been completed at a number of other sites including:

• Stephenson House
• Castlewood House
• Acorn House
• Tottenham Mews
• Vine Hill
• 100 Grays Inn Road

It says that the sites will deliver a total of 100 affordable homes.

Area Regeneration

The report pack goes on to detail the work of the council's Area Regeneration team. It says that the team delivers place-based regeneration projects that drive positive social, economic and environmental change in Camden's neighbourhoods. It details a number of schemes that the team is working on including:

• Regis Road. The report pack explains that the council signed a land sale agreement with developer Yoo Capital in 2023 for the sites currently occupied by the Holmes Road Depot and Regis Road Recycling Centre, with the aim of kickstarting the wider regeneration of the Regis Road Growth Area. It says that Yoo Capital are developing their vision for the Camden Film Quarter which will include new homes, employment space, and social infrastructure. The report pack says that Yoo Capital has acquired additional land in the area, and that they are working with Joseph Homes, who have also assembled sites in the area. It goes on to say that both Yoo Capital and Joseph Homes are expected to submit planning applications in 2025. It explains that the reprovision of 25 council homes at 76 and 78 Holmes Road is a key component of the scheme, and that a housing strategy is being developed for the whole regeneration.
• One Kilburn. The report pack describes One Kilburn as a grassroots community partnership that aims to create a greater sense of community and belonging in Kilburn. It says that it began as a pilot scheme in 2022, enabled by Camden and Brent councils and the GLA. It says that the project has grown, and now has over 300 members. The report pack also explains that One Kilburn, in collaboration with the council, secured funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to set up a community fund. It goes on to say that a local community panel shortlisted 11 projects from an open call, and that 5 winning projects were chosen by a public vote. The five winning projects were:
  • Kilburn in Motion, a film project which celebrates Kilburn's people and heritage.
  • Kilburn Oasis, which ran a car free day and community event in Kilburn in September 2024.
  • Young Photographers, a photography course for young people in Kilburn and South Hampstead.
  • Healing Choir
  • Sociable Seats, a project for over 55s.
• Camden Town. The report pack explains that, because Camden High Street is both a shopping and transport hub for locals and a world famous destination for tourists, it is often very crowded. It goes on to say that because of the large volume of motor vehicles in the area, air quality is poor, and the high number of pedestrians spilling onto the pavements often leads to conflict. To address this, the council consulted in the summer of 2024 on proposals to pedestrianise part of Camden High Street for up to 18 months, and to implement other changes, including streateries on Jamestown Road. It explains that the council is working with local partners to deliver the scheme. A decision on whether or not to proceed with the trial is expected in early 2025. If approved, the trial is expected to begin in Spring 2025.
• Neighbourhood and Vacant Spaces. The report pack says that two council programmes, Neighbourhood Hubs, and the Estates Vacant Spaces programme, have been brought together under one umbrella. It explains that both programmes are focused on activating council owned assets by creating spaces for social action and co-working space. It explains that the council is working with VCS partner The Winch on a pilot for the Estates Vacant Spaces programme on the Hilgrove Estate. It goes on to say that the council is considering a vacant site on Eagle Street for a commercial use as a partner project. A prospectus will be published in Spring 2025 for a further 10 vacant sites in the borough. The report also explains that a former council building at 2 Prince of Wales Road has been chosen as the location for the council's first Neighbourhood Space, and that it will be funded using City of London and Levelling Up grants, along with Camden capital funding.
• Gospel Oak and Haverstock. The report pack says that the council's area regeneration team is supporting the delivery of the Gospel Oak and Haverstock Community Vision, and is coordinating work in the area, including options appraisals for the future of the Health Centre on the Wendling Estate.

Markets and Street Trading

The report pack says that the council's 8 street markets, 48 isolated trading positions, temporary isolated trading positions, ice cream trading pitches, and shop forecourts generated approximately £1.4 million of income for the council in 2024. It goes on to detail a number of other activities that have been undertaken to support market traders in Camden, including:

• Young Traders Market. The report explains that Camden hosted local heats of the Young Traders Market campaign at Leather Lane and Chalton Street markets in 2024. It says that 16 young traders participated in the heats, with 11 advancing to the semi-finals, which were held at Broadway Market. It also explains that the council is developing services to support new market traders, particularly those run by young people.
• Future Neighbourhoods. The report pack says that the council's Future Neighbourhoods programme in Somers Town includes plans to run more events at Chalton Street Market showcasing traders focused on reuse and upcycling. It explains that the council trialed a new service in 2024 which helped traders set up and take down their stalls. The report pack also says that the programme includes the development of an online platform that will enable local residents to showcase and sell their upcycled products, and that the online service will be accompanied by a market stall at Chalton Street Market. It also details plans to provide storage, washing, and stall provision facilities at a local garage in Queen's Crescent. It also details the operation of the Commercial Kitchen at Rhyl Primary School, which provides food preparation and storage facilities to support local food start-ups.
• Ice Cream Trading Bays. The report says that the council implemented a DEFRA funded project in 2023 to address emissions from ice cream vans. It explains that five ice cream trading sites were chosen for the project and that: > Five ice cream trading sites were equipped with electric bollard connections, enabling licensed trading sites to engage in emission-free trading and addressing both illegal ice cream trading and a source of local air pollution. It says that the council wants to install electric power at more street trading locations in the future.
• Unlicensed Ice Cream Trading. The report pack says that unlicensed ice cream trading from vans is a seasonal issue for a number of communities in Camden. To address this, the report pack says that a new enforcement role was created in July 2024. It goes on to explain that the role has been successful in engaging with residents, issuing fixed penalty notices, and using other enforcement powers, such as Community Protection Notices, but that unfortunately the activity has continued.

Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2024/25 and action tracker

The report pack also includes an update on the committee's work programme. It shows that the committee has already held three meetings this year, in July, September, and November, and has a further four meetings scheduled for December, January, and February 2026. The report pack details the topics discussed at each meeting. It also includes a list of topics for the committee to consider including in the work programme for 2025/26, including:

• A report from the Cabinet Adviser on Resident Engagement on anti-social behaviour and community safety.
• A report from the Cabinet Adviser on low-carbon environments.
• An update on the plant-based food for all Camden internal catering scheme
• A report on the Right Care Right Person mental health initiative.
• A report on the operation of advertising boards.
• A report on the Dartmouth Park Low Traffic Neighbourhood.

The report pack also includes an action tracker which summarises outstanding actions from previous meetings. It also details the outcomes of previous requests and actions, including a viewing of Live Facial Recognition technology, attendance by councillors at the opening of Agar Grove Phase 1c, contact details being shared with a resident, and information about Criterion Capital.