The Camden Council Cabinet was scheduled to discuss topics ranging from housing and planning to health and procurement at its meeting. The agenda included a request to use statutory planning powers to facilitate a housing development, the adoption of the Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan, and the re-procurement of a pan-London sexual health service. Also scheduled for discussion was the procurement of domestic gas boilers and a nursing block contract.

Planning and Housing

O2 Masterplan and Statutory Planning Powers

The cabinet was to consider a request from Landsec, a property development company, for the council to use its statutory planning powers to help deliver the comprehensive O2 Masterplan scheme. The report pack states that the planning permission, granted in December 2023, includes the provision of 35% affordable housing.

The report pack explains that the proposal would involve the council acquiring an interest in the relevant land, and then using powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to override third party rights. The report pack says that these powers would override third party rights, including the rights of access enjoyed by the car showrooms to the service road along the north of the site. The report pack says that the report sought in principle approval to use the powers, subject to conditions being met, and delegated authority to the Director of Development to take subsequent detailed decisions.

Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan

The cabinet was scheduled to consider the adoption of the Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan 2025-2040, which would update and supersede the current version adopted in 2018. The report pack says that the plan relates to an area that includes the entirety of Hampstead Town ward, approximately one third of Frognal ward and some parts of Gospel Oak and Highgate wards. The report pack explains that the plan includes policies on design and heritage, the natural environment, basements, traffic and transport, the economy, and housing and community. The report pack says that the Local Government Act 2000 requires local plan documents to be adopted by full Council.

Domestic Gas Boiler Supply Procurement Strategy

The cabinet was to discuss a proposed procurement strategy for a supplier of Individual Domestic Heating Systems (IDHS) for council properties. The report pack says that the systems would be installed by the in-house service, as approved by Cabinet in February 2025. The report pack explains that the council has statutory obligations to service, maintain and replace mechanical and electrical equipment, including domestic heating systems. The report pack says that the proposed contract is for fifteen years, with a total estimated value of £22.15m, and that the contract would be non-exclusive. The report pack says that the recommended approach would be to appoint a long-term supplier by conducting a mini-competition between suppliers already registered on a national framework.

Health and Wellbeing

Pan-London Sexual Health E-Service

The cabinet was scheduled to discuss a report seeking approval to enter into an inter-agency agreement with the City of London Corporation (CoL) for the re-commissioning and delivery of the Pan-London Sexual Health E-Service. The report pack says that CoL would lead on behalf of Camden Council and 31 other London boroughs. The report pack explains that the Sexual Health E-Service provides at-home STI testing kits and contraception to residents as an alternative to in-person clinics. The report pack says that Camden Council is part of the existing arrangement, in which Preventx Limited has been the service provider since 2017.

Nursing Block Contract: Ash Court Care Centre

The cabinet was scheduled to discuss a report setting out the procurement approach and seeking approval for direct award of a 6-year contract to Forest Healthcare for the provision of nursing block beds at Ash Court under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Route C. The report pack says that the strategy would safeguard the council’s access to high-quality, affordable nursing provision in-borough. The report pack explains that the ambition is for Camden residents to be placed through Nursing Block Contracts wherever possible, which are underpinned by strong partnership arrangements with providers and built on collaborative quality assurance relationships. The report pack says that Forest Healthcare, which operates Ash Court, has consistently demonstrated their commitment to Camden values and strives for a strengths-based, resident-led care community. The report pack says that the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) allows a relevant authority to award a new contract to an existing provider “when the existing contract is due to expire, where the existing provider is satisfying the existing contract and is likely to satisfy the new contract.” The report pack says that regulations stipulate that the proposed contracting arrangements must not be changing “considerably” from the existing contract. The report pack notes that the report has an appendix containing information exempt from publication.

Other Matters

The cabinet was also scheduled to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2025¹.