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Summary
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The Cabinet met on Wednesday 10 December 2025 and approved the Climate Action Plan 2026-2030, the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030, and the Green Space Investment Programme 2026-2030. The Cabinet also reviewed the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy, noting the impact of challenges across temporary accommodation, children's social care, and other services, and approved proposed fees and charges for 2026/27.
Climate Action Plan 2026-2030
The Cabinet approved the Climate Action Plan 2026-2030, which builds on previous plans to tackle the climate crisis and build resilience. The plan was developed through extensive public engagement and outlines actions around seven priority areas: Enablers, Council operations, Local circular economy, Buildings and retrofit, Empowerment, education and communication, Greening and growing, and Sustainable travel. The plan aims to create a resilient, inclusive, and climate-ready borough
that improves residents' daily lives and reduces social, economic, and health inequalities. Existing delegations to officers will deliver the plan, with authority delegated to the Executive Director Investment, Place and Opportunity for projects requiring further decision-making.
Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030
The Cabinet approved the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030, a statutory requirement for local authorities. The strategy, developed following a 14-week public consultation, outlines key actions to prevent and address homelessness and rough sleeping over the next five years. It is underpinned by four priorities: preventing homelessness and rough sleeping, providing accessible and responsive services, securing more accessible, affordable, and long-term housing, and campaigning for national change. The strategy aims to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurrent
and includes plans for reviewing housing allocation schemes, building new temporary accommodation, buying back family homes, expanding the Housing First programme, and improving digital inclusion.
Green Space Investment Programme 2026-2030
The Cabinet approved the continuation of the Green Space Investment Programme for the next five years and endorsed the project allocation for 2026/2027. The programme aims to ensure capital investment in parks and green spaces aligns with the We Make Camden
vision and Camden Missions. Investment will be prioritised based on need, considering areas with high deprivation, limited access to green space, and sites requiring improvement or asset replacement. The programme focuses on three key priorities: encouraging healthy lifestyles and outdoor activity, promoting inclusivity and accessibility, and delivering climate and ecological resilience.
Review of the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy
The Cabinet noted the update on the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and its financial resilience. The report highlighted significant financial pressures, particularly in temporary accommodation and children's social care, leading to a forecast General Fund overspend of £19 million for 2025/26. The Council is extending its current MTFS to 2026/27 to manage these pressures and develop a new strategy in light of government funding changes. The Cabinet noted the summary of government policy decisions, including the Fair Funding Review, which is expected to impact Inner London boroughs.
Fees and Charges for 2026/27
The Cabinet agreed to several changes to fees and charges for 2026/27. Authority was delegated to the relevant Executive Director to agree increases to existing fees and charges up to a maximum of 7%, in consultation with portfolio holders. New fees and charges, and those exceeding a 7% increase, were approved, including those related to the Tobacco & Vapes Act 2024, music services, and environmental services due to contract cost increases. Authority was also delegated to the Section 151 Officer to delete obsolete fees and charges and reduce specific fees in exceptional cases.
Capital Investments
The Cabinet agreed to several capital investments, including:
- A £2 million financing facility for IT equipment in Camden schools.
- £1.5 million for the Prince of Wales Road Children's Home, with £0.3 million from the Council's match funding.
- £4.8 million for the Retrofit at Scale project, primarily funded by external grant.
- £0.3 million for Horticultural Service Insourcing equipment.
- £0.3 million for the King's Cross Sports Centre Q2 building, funded by S106 contributions.
- Approval for the use of an unspent £2.8 million TAPP budget for acquiring properties on regeneration sites.
- An uplift of £0.7 million for the Talacre Refurbishment Project, funded by a virement from the King's Cross Sports Centre scheme.
The Cabinet also noted projects for the capital pipeline, including library developments and tree planting programmes, which will be subject to further business case development and funding exploration.
Long Term Lease of Coroner's Court and Associated Offices
The Cabinet approved in principle the entering into a 25-year lease with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for the Bow Public Hall, Bow Road, E3 3AA, on behalf of the Inner North London Coronial Consortium. Authority was delegated to the Director of Recreation and Public Safety to enter into detailed negotiations and finalise the lease. This move aims to co-locate all coroner's service staff into a single, fit-for-purpose building, improving service delivery and efficiency.
Camden Leisure Management Contract Potential Modifications
The Cabinet agreed to modify the Camden Leisure Centre Management Contract with GLL. Firstly, an 'agency model' will be implemented, allowing the contract to benefit from updated HMRC tax rules and achieve a previously agreed Medium Term Financial Strategy saving. Secondly, the contract will be extended for five years, from 2030 to 2035, providing GLL with a longer period for financial recovery post-pandemic and enabling additional capital investment in Camden's leisure centres, as well as better delivery of social and health outcomes.
Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2025-26
The Cabinet noted the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report for 2025-26, which confirmed the Council's compliance with regulatory requirements and treasury indicators. The report highlighted the Council's prudent borrowing strategy, primarily relying on internal borrowing, and its conservative investment approach. It also noted the economic uncertainty and volatility, with a cautious outlook on interest rates. The Council's investment portfolio remains secure and liquid, and returns are forecast to be strong. The report also detailed the NLWA's Energy Recovery Facility funding and the Council's continued exploration of innovative funding mechanisms like the Community Municipal Investment (CMI).
Council Tax Support 2026/27 and Section 13a Discretionary Scheme Policy Update
The Cabinet recommended to Council the adoption of the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme for 2026/27, maintaining the current supportive approach with income bands uplifted in line with the new London Living Wage. Authority was delegated to the Director of Finance to make necessary changes to ensure legal consistency with government regulations. Additionally, the Cabinet agreed to adopt a revised Council Tax Discretionary Reductions Policy, effective from 1 February 2026, which introduces a new discount class for terminally ill residents experiencing financial difficulty, while retaining existing discounts.
London Borough of Camden's Annual Complaints Report 2024/25
The Cabinet noted the London Borough of Camden's Annual Complaints Report for 2024/25. The report highlighted a significant increase in complaints across all services, particularly in Property Management and Housing, which is attributed to factors such as the age of housing stock, increased resident awareness of rights, and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. The report detailed improvements made in complaint handling processes, response times, and the introduction of new systems and policies, including a new compensation policy and a focus on resident vulnerability. The Cabinet noted the Ombudsman's findings, including a decrease in severe maladministration cases compared to the previous year.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Announcements
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations presented at the meeting, acknowledging the live broadcast and recording of the proceedings.
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Notification of Any Items of Business that the Chair Decides to Take as Urgent
Recommendations Approved...to note that there were no urgent items of business to be considered beyond those already on the agenda.
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Response to the Cabinet Adviser Report on Low Carbon Environments (SC/2025/67)
Recommendations Approved...the response to the Cabinet Adviser's report on Low Carbon Environments was noted, and the proposed officer action was agreed upon.
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Review of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (CS/2025/14)
Recommendations Approved...that the Cabinet of Camden noted updates on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, challenges across various services, and government policy decisions, while also delegating authority for fee adjustments and approving capital investments.
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Representations Received about Why the Meeting Should be Open to the Public
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations, as no representations were received regarding opening the meeting to the public.
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Apologies
Recommendations Approved...to note that there were no apologies recorded for the meeting.
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Deputations
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations, as there were no deputations presented.
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Minutes
Recommendations Approved...the minutes of the meeting held on 12th November 2025 were approved and signed as a correct record.
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Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 (SC/2025/30)
Recommendations Approved...to approve the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030, delegating authority to the Director of Housing for final minor amendments before publication, after considering consultation results and an Equalities Impact Assessment.
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Climate Action Plan 2026 - 2030 (SC/2025/50)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Camden Cabinet approved the Climate Action Plan 2026-2030 on 10/12/2025. The plan outlines actions to tackle the climate crisis in Camden. Authority is delegated to the Executive Director Investment, Place and Opportunity to authorise projects if existing delegations are insufficient.
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London Borough of Camden’s Annual Complaints Report 2024/25 (CS/2025/48)
Recommendations Approved...to note the contents of the London Borough of Camden’s Annual Complaints Report 2024/25, particularly the Ombudsman’s findings of maladministration, and to acknowledge improvements in waste collection and call center responses.
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Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2025-26 (CS/2025/20)
Recommendations Approved...to note the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report for 2025-26 and recommend it to Council for approval.
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Council Tax Support 2026/27 and Section 13a Discretionary Scheme Policy Update to Include a Terminally Ill Discount Class (CS/2025/15)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Camden Cabinet decided on 10 December 2025 to recommend to Council that the Council Tax Support Scheme be updated from 1 April 2026 to reflect the new London Living Wage amount in its income bands. They also recommended delegating authority to the Director of Finance to make changes to the scheme during 2026/27 to ensure legal consistency and recommended adopting a revised Council Tax Discretionary Reductions policy from 1 February 2026, which introduces a new discount class for terminally ill residents in financial difficulty.
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Long Term Lease of Coroner’s Court and Associated Offices (SC/2025/56)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Camden Cabinet decided to approve entering into a 25-year lease for the Coroner’s Court and associated offices at Bow Coroner’s Court. The decision was made on 10/12/2025. Authority was delegated to the Director of Recreation and Public Safety to finalise negotiations and enter into the lease.
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Camden Leisure Management Contract Potential Modifications (SC/2025/71)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Camden Cabinet decided on 10/12/2025 to approve modifications to the Camden Leisure Centre Management Contract. The contract will be modified so GLL operates the centres as an agent for the Council, and it will be extended for five years from 2030 to 2035. The modifications include implementing an agency model for tax efficiency and extending the contract to aid financial recovery and enable further investment.
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Green Space Investment Programme 2026-2030 (SC/2025/48)
Recommendations Approved...to approve the continuation of the Green Space Investment Programme for the next 5 years and the project allocation of the green space project list for 2026/2027.
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