Your guide to council services | May 2016
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Inside
27 The Camden magazine is distributed free to all homes in Camden to give you information about our services. It is printed on paper that is 50% recycled and 50% from sustainable sources.
Digital edition Go to camden.gov.uk/ camden to find out how to access our digital magazine 2 | Camden | May 2016
Argyle Primary School vegetable parade
Website: camden.gov.uk Email: camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk Twitter: @camdentalking Communications team Camden Council Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE
Distribution from 6 May 2016 Published by Camden Council Editorial, advertising and distribution: 020 7974 5717 Costs 15 pence a copy to produce. Cover image: Philip McCorkell
You can receive your copy of the Camden magazine in large print, on audio tape or in another language by phoning 020 7974 5717.
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6-7
News in focus Healthy life choices for young people Love your local market
8-10
News in brief New Camden Youth MP is elected
12-13
Secret gardens Support for people living with dementia Tall Tales at Swiss Cottage Gallery Fines to tackle nuisance pedicabs
12-13 Feature
How the housing crisis is affecting Camden
18-19 Feature Tackling the housing crisis
Know you’re not alone
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21-23
Update on our financial challenge Concern over school funding Changes to public toilets New young people’s foundation
26-27
Camden schools Enter Camden in Bloom
News from our schools
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It’s quicker to access council services online than over the phone or in person.
Idil, from Kilburn, has a Camden Account. Over 75,000 residents have already signed up. Activate your online Camden Account today. • Pay and view your council tax bill • Purchase parking permits • Order recycling equipment • Check bin collection days • View planning applications near your home • Book a housing repair • Manage leaseholder service charges • View housing rent • View housing benefit claims and payments
camden.gov.uk/camdenaccount 4 | Camden | May 2016
Welcome
to the May edition of the Camden magazine process. In this issue of the Camden magazine you can read about our action to get changes made to the Government’s proposals.
Councillor Sarah Hayward Leader of the Council
B
y the time this magazine reaches you, there will be a new Mayor of London. Whoever wins we’ll be working closely with them on issues important to Camden. This month the Government’s plans for housing in this country reached a critical stage in the parliamentary
We’ve already organised several very well-attended events to talk to residents about the Housing and Planning Bill and I’ve heard firsthand just how important this issue is to local people. I share residents’ concerns that the Bill will make living in Camden more difficult for many people. To find out more about the potential impacts of the Bill, we commissioned the London School of Economics to research the likely effects on employment and the economy. You can read about the results of this research on pages 12 and 13. Despite the challenging financial times, we continue to seek out innovative ways to deliver high quality services to Camden residents. Last month, Camden’s Cabinet agreed an intermediate housing strategy to provide more homes for residents who can’t afford private rents and who don’t qualify for the council housing list. You can read more about this on page 14. We are strongly opposed to the Government’s white paper on education which could see local schools forced to become
academies. Rather than have our schools isolated and standing alone as academies, we want to strengthen our support for schools by turning the new Camden Schools led Partnership into a separate company. The partnership, which has the overwhelming support of Camden head teachers and governors, will help make Camden schools even stronger. There’s more on this on page 26. We also continue to press the Government for changes to their plans for HS2, which will affect thousands of residents. We have recently submitted a petition on the High Speed 2 Bill to the House of Lords which carries our call for the much-needed full redevelopment of Euston Station and fair compensation for Camden. On pages 28 and 29 you can read about how we’re determined to minimise the impact of HS2 on Camden, and to ensure that HS2 Ltd deliver on their promises. There’s so much more in this issue of the magazine, including the experiences of Camden residents who have overcome personal difficulties such as homelessness and domestic violence to turn their lives around. I hope you enjoy reading the May magazine – you can also access an online version at camden.gov.uk/camden.
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News in focus
Making healthy life choices Musicians and performers joined an event in Camden Town to encourage young residents to make better choices about drugs and alcohol.
Hip hop act The Age of LUNA
Drug and alcohol use among under 25s can cause all kinds of problems, from poor performance at school to crime and antisocial behaviour. It can also affect physical and mental health, and damage relationships and families. Drug use in Camden is decreasing, but there are still young people in the borough who have problems with drugs and alcohol. Camden’s drug and alcohol service for under 25s is called FWD. The FWD team, along with young residents, ran an event
6 | Camden | May 2016
at The Forge in Camden Town to share information about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, promote healthier lifestyles, and raise awareness of the help that’s available. The theme of the event was ‘recovery, creativity and community’. Guests spoke about how local services had helped them to turn their lives around and escape addiction. Attendees enjoyed non-alcoholic cocktails and performances which included soulful hip-hop act The Age of LUNA.
Derya Tuzen, 18, said: “The event was energetic – all in all fantastic. It taught me about teamwork, patience and also about the harm drugs can do.” If you’re under 25 and your life is being affected by drugs or alcohol contact FWD to find out how they can help you.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/fwd fwd@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 4701
News in focus
Love your local market You can buy all kinds of things at a Camden market – from clothes and bric-a-brac, to food from all around the world.
Camden is famous for its markets, and local, council-run markets are up and running across the borough every day of the week. This month is an ideal time to discover a bargain or a delicious treat while supporting local businesses, because it’s Love Your Local Market fortnight from 17 to 31 May.
Become a stallholder If you fancy having a go yourself, we have stalls available for as little as £10 per day. It’s a great way to test out a business idea, without having to make a big investment. Fathi Korichi works at Silmar’s Taste, a stall selling Portuguese cakes and savouries at Eton Avenue market, He said: “We always do well at Eton Avenue. Customers have been coming back to sample our marble cake for years, it’s hands down the best seller.”
Markets near you: • Chalton Street, NW1 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday • Earlham Street, WC2H Monday to Saturday • Eton Avenue, NW3 Tuesday to Saturday • Goodge Place, W1T Monday to Saturday • Inverness Street, NW1 Monday to Sunday • Leather Lane, EC1N Monday to Friday • Plender Street, NW1 Monday to Saturday • Queen’s Crescent, NW5 Thursday and Saturday
Portuguese cakes at Eton Avenue Market
Find out more camden.gov.uk/markets 020 7974 3864 7
News in brief
Secret gardens
Explore Camden’s little-known open spaces and get fit in Alexandra Road Park You can enjoy fresh air and local wildlife by joining in with the Open Garden Squares Weekend on 18 and 19 June. From the innovative, historical and prestigious, to the secret, hidden and little known, a single ticket allows visitors a unique opportunity to discover and explore some of London’s most fascinating squares, gardens and green spaces – most of which are not normally open to the public.
If you are thinking of getting fit and spending more time outdoors this summer, come along to the newly restored Alexandra Road Park, where there are lots of free activities and community events.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/arpevents opensquares.org
Support for people living with dementia A new service to help reduce the social isolation of people living with dementia is being launched. The Dementia Action Alliance will be launched by Camden Council in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society during Dementia Awareness Week which starts on 15 May. The service offers local businesses advice and support to ensure that they understand the needs of people with dementia.
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The Alliance will also work with those living with dementia and their carers to identify and develop practical support to help them live well in their communities for longer. The Alliance builds on existing support services for older people and those living with dementia in Camden. Our Dementia Befriending Service, which pairs volunteers with dementia sufferers,
and Ageing Better in Camden programme both work to combat social isolation and help older people play an active role in the community.
Find out more dementiaaction.org.uk
News in brief
Tall Tales at Swiss Cottage Gallery Tall Tales is a national tour of 17 international women visual artists who use playful storytelling techniques in their work. Tall Tales is showing at Swiss Cottage Gallery and Swiss Cottage Library, the Tavistock Clinic and the Freud Museum until 29 May 2016. Swiss Cottage Gallery hosts sculpture and drawing by Alinah Azadeh who explores issues including her Iranian heritage and relationship to her mother, alongside artist Nina Yuen’s videos. Swiss Cottage Library will host Lauren Sagar and Sharon Campbell’s The Chandelier of Lost Earrings, plus Sagar’s new interactive project, Call for Cloth.
Art at Swiss Cottage Gallery
Find out more camden.gov.uk/swisscottagegallery talltalestouring.com
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News in focus
Fines to tackle nuisance pedicabs Camden has agreed to issue fixed penalty notices to pedicab operators who cause antisocial behaviour. Legislation changes last year mean that local authorities now have the power to use Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to tackle issues of antisocial behaviour. Complaints about pedicabs have included noise nuisance from amplified music, noise from operators touting for business,
dangerous riding, and verbal abuse. In a survey of 676 residents, more than two thirds of respondents said that they had experienced antisocial behaviour associated with pedicabs and almost three quarters were in favour of using PSPOs to tackle the problem.
enforce the PSPOs and breaches could mean anything from a fixed penalty notice of £100 to fines of up to £1000.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/licensing
Camden will work with the police to
Tenants: be aware of your rights
Recent legislation means that tenants now have more rights when dealing with letting agents If you’re renting a home through a letting agent, make sure that they’re complying with new legislation designed to protect tenants. Agents must clearly display their fees and charges upfront, and they have to be a member of a redress scheme – so that you can complain if something goes wrong. When you’re renting a home you must also be shown an energy performance certificate, a gas safety certificate, and a record of electrical inspections.
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Your deposit must be placed in a Government approved deposit protection scheme within 30 days. If you’re signing a contract, make sure that it’s an assured shorthold tenancy agreement, not a licence, or other type of contract. If you think something isn’t right you can get free help and advice from the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/fairlettings camden.gov.uk/reportalettingagent 03454 040506
Feature
Camden’s new Youth MP elected in record turnout Camden’s new Youth MP, Esther Joy Boadu, 17, has been elected with a record overall turnout of 6,737 young people - over 40% of the borough’s 13 to 19 year-olds. Esther, a sixth-former at Haverstock School, polled 1,045 votes – a convincing lead over the other 16 candidates. Eden Lunghy, 16, of La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School and LaSWAP Sixth Form, and Saba Asif, 14, of Hampstead School, were elected as Camden’s new Deputy Youth MPs. Eden polled 786 votes, closely followed by Saba with 724 votes. The results were announced in the Council Chamber on 13 April by outgoing Youth MP Hannah Morris, who was thanked for her hard work and her successful campaigning over the last two years. Esther said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be elected to represent young people in Camden and get everyone’s voices heard.”
Esther Joy Boadu (second left)
The candidates campaigned on issues ranging from improving education, work experience and job prospects to protecting the environment, fighting racism and animal cruelty, and protecting youth services. The election took place at schools and youth centres across the borough. The Youth MP, and two Deputy Youth MPs, are elected for two years as the voice for young people in Camden. They will also put forward the views and interests of local young people through the UK Youth Parliament. Councillor Georgia Gould, Camden’s Cabinet Member for Young People and Economic Growth, said: “I am thrilled that
so many strong candidates put themselves forward to be Camden’s next Youth MP and that we had such an amazing turnout of over 40% of 13 to 19 year-olds in the borough. “I am really looking forward to working with our new Youth MP, Esther, and her deputies, Saba and Eden, as well as the Youth Council.” The Camden Youth MP Election is run by Camden’s youth support services in partnership with local secondary schools and youth projects.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/youthcouncil
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Feature
Housing Bill: summary Camden is strongly opposed to the Government’s Housing Bill. We want Camden to be an affordable place to live, but we’re concerned that current Government plans will make the housing crisis worse. The most damaging parts of the Housing Bill and policy changes are set out below:
Pay to stay
Right to Buy
Social tenants with a combined household income of more than £40,000 to be charged market rent for their properties. In Camden, this could mean a rent hike of up to £15,000 a year.
Right to Buy to be extended to housing association tenants, who will be able to buy their homes at a discount. This will reduce the stock of social housing.
Ending secure tenancies
Levy on high value council homes
New council tenancies to be limited to between two and five years. This would make social tenants less secure in their housing in the future.
Local councils to pay an annual levy to Government based on high value social housing in their area. Councils will be encouraged to consider selling high value council homes when they become vacant, to pay this levy. As properties in Camden are expensive, much of the Council’s housing could be classed as high value. We could have to sell, or pay for the equivalent of, up to 300 properties a year. This will also reduce the stock of social housing.
Starter Homes Starter Homes to be for sale to first time buyers under the age of 40, at a discount on the market rate. However, the likely price of a Starter Home in Camden will be £450,000, so they’ll still be unaffordable for many people. Starter Homes could also replace other types of more genuinely affordable housing in new developments.
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Feature
How the housing crisis is affecting Camden We want Camden to be an affordable place to live, but we’re concerned that current Government plans will make the housing crisis worse. Housing in central London boroughs like Camden is under huge pressure – with house prices and private rents rising, and a limited supply of social housing. We want to make sure that Camden continues to be a place where people from different backgrounds can afford to live – but the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill, which will soon pass into law, may make this more difficult.
New research We asked the London School of Economics (LSE) to look at the impact that the Bill could have in Camden. We asked them to look in particular at the potential loss of social housing and the effect of this on the economy. The LSE researchers found that if the Government’s plans are introduced it could become more difficult for people on low wages to live in Camden. This could lead to a recruitment crisis for businesses
– for example, care workers and people who work in retail may not be able to afford to live in Camden, and they could also struggle to meet the cost of commuting from outside the borough. The Government’s proposals could not only make life harder for Camden residents, but could also cause problems for companies that rely on our residents to keep their businesses running.
Amending the Bill As the Bill has been going through the Houses of Parliament, Camden Council has been arguing for significant changes to be made. Some of these amendments have been supported in the House of Lords, and you can find a list of the amendments that have been passed on our website.
What happens next? Hundreds of our residents have come to the events we’ve held on the topic, provided us with case
studies, and engaged in many other ways, so we know that it’s something people really care about. Over the coming months we’ll be asking you how best we can implement the things that the new law will require us to do. These may include selling ‘high value’ council homes and increasing rents for people on higher incomes. Many of the details of the policies are still being finalised, so please contact your MP and give them your opinions on the Bill.
Contact your MP Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead & Kilburn) tulip.siddiq.mp@parliament.uk Keir Starmer (Holborn & St Pancras) keir.starmer.mp@parliament.uk Tulip Siddiq / Keir Starmer, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/housingbill 13
Feature
Investing in schools, homes and communities
We’re five years into our Community Investment Programme (CIP) and Camden’s Cabinet is looking at new ways to build more affordable homes.
We have built or started construction on 900 new homes for Camden and a further 1100 have planning approval. Half of all of these homes will be affordable homes for Camden residents. We have also provided 200m2 of community facilities. We have invested £51 million in schools and children’s centres. We have constructed new buildings at Netley Primary School and Montpelier Community Nursery. We have refurbished Mount Pleasant – a state of the art facility for single homeless people, to help them live independently and get into work. The programme is making a real difference to the lives of local people – whether it’s council tenants moving out of overcrowded accommodation and into new homes, children enjoying a brand new school building or homeless people benefiting from a safe environment to learn new skills and turn their lives around. Over the next few years we’ll complete many more new homes 14 | Camden | May 2016
and other major projects, including the expansion of Kingsgate Primary School and the new Greenwood Centre in Kentish Town.
Overcoming challenges We want to do even more, but we’re faced with several challenges: the amount of money we’re able to borrow is limited by government, our internal resources are stretched, and future projects are reliant on the sale of new homes – some of which are yet to be built. The Housing and Planning Bill will also affect our ability to fund further projects. The Cabinet has decided to look at whether working with private developers could help Camden to build more affordable homes.
Intermediate housing Cabinet also agreed a new strategy to provide intermediate rented housing. This is housing which is rented out at a cost above social rent, but below market value. It would be affordable to households on medium incomes - residents
who can’t afford private rents or to buy but who are ineligible to join the register for social housing. Providing intermediate housing will mean a move away from shared ownership homes, which have become increasingly unaffordable in Camden. To rent out homes built as part of the CIP as intermediate housing, we are setting up Camden Living – a Council-controlled company, which will own the homes and provide the Council with income that will help to pay for council services in the face of ongoing government funding cuts. The first homes that will be acquired through Camden Living will be 52 flats from the Maiden Lane CIP. Previously earmarked for shared ownership, they will be let at intermediate rent later this year.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/cip
Feature
Celebrating success at Camden’s homeless awards ceremony
Camden Adult Pathway Awards
Homeless residents turn their lives around. In Spring 2016, Camden’s hostel residents, support staff, partner agencies and friends attended the annual CAPA (Camden Adult Pathway Awards) ceremony. CAPA was created as a way to celebrate the achievements of Camden’s hostel residents who have overcome enormous challenges. Camden has one of the lowest rates of homelessness in London – thanks to our pioneering approach. Since 2007 Camden’s Hostels Pathway model has provided
support to homeless adults through 19 different services and 700 beds. Users get support to tackle a broad range of issues. These include mental health problems, substance misuse, rough sleeping and domestic abuse. They are helped to address their needs and gain the skills that will enable them to live independently and be actively involved in the community.
the network of Camden agencies delivering health, education, training and employment services. This was the third annual CAPA, and everyone who took part had an inspirational story to tell. Two of the winners share theirs overleaf.
Supported by experienced hostel staff, residents work to achieve their personal goals by engaging with 15
Feature Celebrating success at Camden’s homeless awards ceremony
Recovering from depression In February 2015 David Standen woke up in the Royal Free Hospital, having tried to end his life. David now realises that he was suffering from depression – however, at the time, he had been trying his best to carry on as normal, despite facing a number of personal and family difficulties. “I didn’t realise about depression – if you’d asked me before then I’d have said it was all nonsense, I just thought you needed to pull your socks up and get back up. But although I didn’t know it, I was in a big mess.” David was moved to a specialist mental health unit, where one of Camden’s mental health liaison officers visited him. On discovering that he would have nowhere to live when he left hospital, she introduced David to the adult homelessness pathway. “That’s when it dawned on me that I needed help. I knew nothing about what to do, but she did everything. She was brilliant. I still talk to her now.”
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David Standen David was assessed and given specialist support. He received help at several locations in the borough, before moving to Cambria House, an adult pathway hostel run by the Salvation Army. During the days he went to the House of St Barnabas, a Soho-based charity which helps homeless people back into work. David now has a flat in North London, and volunteers at both the House of St Barnabas, and at the charity Suited and Booted, which
helps vulnerable, unemployed and low-income men into employment by providing interview clothing and advice. With the help of comic Paul O’Grady, who he met while filming television series ‘The Sally Army and Me’, he’s also planning his first gigs as a stand-up comedian. David won the positive change award at the CAPA ceremony. “I won the award, but there were so many other people that got me there, and I’m thankful to every single one of them.”
Feature but also encouraged him to conquer his addiction issues. “I’d been out of work for five years, now I’ve got myself back in shape again. It built up my confidence, and I managed to stop using methadone.” Kieran is now living independently in Camden. He’s been able to rebuild his relationship with his family, and has been offered a paid job with St Mungo’s. “I’m seeing my kids again. It’s worked out perfectly for me. Without the organisation, I’d probably still be out on the streets or in prison.” Kieran won the taking responsibility award at the CAPA ceremony: “I’d never won anything before. It was a great evening – I met a lot of nice people.”
Work continues
Kieran Hunter
Recovering from addiction Kieran Hunter grew up in Camden Town. He had substance misuse issues which dated back to his childhood. When he entered our adult pathway he had just come out of prison and was homeless. Kieran moved into a St Mungo’s hostel, an adult pathway scheme. With 26 years’ experience in the
building trade, it was natural for him to join St Mungo’s Bricks and Mortar programme, where people tackling substance misuse problems are taught plastering and bricklaying skills, while being supported to address issues that might be restricting their personal development. Kieran’s supervisor at Bricks and Mortar not only helped him to start working again,
We’re continuing to help people like Kieran and David to turn their lives around. We don’t wait for people to turn up at our offices and ask for help – the Changegrowlive Safer Streets Team, is commissioned by Camden to go out and engage directly with rough sleepers, people involved in begging, street drinkers, drug users, and sex workers, to offer treatment and accommodation.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/hostelpathways
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Feature
Know you’re not alone One in four women and one in six men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Camden resident, Louise, shares her experience of surviving domestic abuse.
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Feature
Last month we launched a new campaign to help tackle domestic violence and abuse. We were contacted by local business owner Louise* who, after seeing our campaign, shared her own story of survival in the hope that she could inspire others to seek help. Louise met her former partner in the late 90s when she was 16. “He was a lot older than me. It wasn’t an abusive relationship in the beginning but when I became pregnant it went downhill.” Her partner became increasingly controlling – monitoring who she spoke to and accusing her of cheating. Although every situation and relationship is different, the underlying issue of control is common in many abusive relationships. “The abuse was both verbal and physical. I remember thinking ‘This is what happens. You have a child, you don’t want to leave.’ That’s why you stay – for your child, and also because you’re scared. My confidence was low. At this point I didn’t think much of myself at all.” Like many people suffering domestic abuse, Louise felt she couldn’t tell anyone. She didn’t
want her family to worry, and so she maintained the appearance that the relationship was going well. Louise started a new job and, as her success there grew, so did her confidence. After a particularly heated argument at home, she found the courage to stand up to her partner and asked him to leave. “I remember it clearly. I told him to get out. And he said ‘OK’. No argument, just ‘OK’. It felt amazing, I thought ‘I’m finally free’. But something didn’t feel right, it felt too easy.” Sadly, Louise was right. One night her ex-partner turned up with a group of friends. Her son was asleep upstairs. He kicked the door down and, with his friends watching, subjected her to a horrific beating. “It seemed like it lasted for hours. All I could think was ‘They’re going to take my son.’ He only stopped when he got fed up. My first instinct was to go to my son’s room. He was fine, still asleep. I packed my bag that night and left.” Many people think what they are going through isn’t abuse, or that it’s somehow their fault. But domestic abuse isn’t just physical. Psychological, sexual, financial
and emotional abuse, including controlling and coercive behaviour, are all types of abuse that can have devastating effects. After 13 years Louise had an opportunity to return to London and has just celebrated the first anniversary of her business. She has also given talks to survivors of domestic abuse. “I’ve always been independent, but I’m a lot stronger now. Everyone’s happy, there’s no drama. Survivors of domestic abuse are not victims, they need to be empowered. Giving back is my way to say thank you that I’m still here.” Abuse can happen to anyone of any age, gender, sexual orientation or culture. If you are experiencing abuse, or think you know someone who might be, call our confidential advice service, Camden Safety Net, for help and support.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/know camdensafetynet@camden.gov.uk 07814 671 427 (text) 020 7974 2526 *Name changed to preserve anonymity.
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Feature
Camden in Bloom 2016 It’s time to get your hands dirty and prepare for this year’s Camden in Bloom Camden in Bloom has been running since 1999, encouraging residents, businesses and community groups to take pride in their neighbourhood and rewarding them for making Camden a cleaner, greener and healthier place to be.
Community garden Last year, the Highgate Centre Garden Group won first place in the best community garden category, as well as being runner up for the environmental project award. The Centre provides support for people living with mental health difficulties, and the garden has become an important resource for many centre users. Ben Ledden, community gardener at the centre, explained that the group aims to garden in an environmentally friendly way. As well as providing a safe, therapeutic space for centre users, the garden is
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also a haven for wildlife in the area. Many service users enjoy sitting in the garden for a quiet break, and there is growing evidence that exposure to nature can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing. Ben said: “If you look after a garden well, it will look after you.” Ben’s top gardening tips include reusing coffee grounds as a compost enhancer and including plants in your garden which attract natural predators, like ladybirds, to keep any greenfly in check.
Enter now This year’s competition is now open for entries. Categories include best balcony, finest business garden, and top environmental project. There is also a schools competition, the Greener School Awards, to highlight and encourage positive environmental action and teaching in schools.
2016 categories: • Best communal or community garden • Best individual garden • Best balcony (or small patio) • Best business garden • Best environmental project
Key dates The business and residential competition is open from now until 17 July 2016. Winners will be announced in August. The Greener School Awards is open from now until 8 June 2016. Winners will be announced in July.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/camdeninbloom
Feature
Our financial challenge – latest update This month we have updates on key decisions and announcements connected to the tough financial challenge we are facing.
Cuts to government funding, alongside other spending pressures, have left the Council with substantial budget challenges. Since 2010, our like-for-like funding from government has been cut by 41%. By 2018-19 this funding will have been cut in half.
The Government has announced it will carry out a consultation in summer 2016 on the reform of the business rate system, which will see local government retain 100% of business rates at a national level. We will respond to this consultation and argue for the best possible outcome for Camden.
Government policy changes mean there may also be financial pressures in schools, for which we need to prepare.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/camdenchallenge
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Feature: Camden’s financial challenge Concern over Government plans for schools The Government has been consulting schools on proposals to change how they are funded and has also published a white paper, ‘Educational Excellence Everywhere’, that could force them to become academies. Camden Council and borough schools are deeply concerned about the potential impact of both issues. Rather than have our schools isolated and standing alone as academies, we want to strengthen our support for schools. You can read more about how we’re doing this through the Camden Schools Led Partnership on page 26. We understand that the government believes the current funding system is unfair and that schools in less well funded areas should receive more money. However, the Council does
not want these changes to mean less cash for schools in boroughs like ours. The cost of living in Camden, along with higher levels of deprivation, means that we have higher education costs. Camden schools have already suffered a real-terms cut of 13% from their budgets since 2011/12 and, even with a cash freeze, there would be a further real-terms cut of around 10% by the end of this Parliament. The Council and Camden schools have therefore called on the Government to ensure local schools do not lose any cash from the introduction of the new arrangements and have stressed the importance of local authorities working with their schools to allocate resources fairly across the borough. camden.gov.uk/schools
Changes to public toilets Thank you to everyone who gave views and attended meetings as part our survey about changes to public toilets. We need to reduce the money we spend on public toilets by £260,000 a year. We asked for your views on: • working with local businesses and community organisations to develop community toilet schemes • working with a new provider to have pay-to-use toilets at Camden Town and Lincoln’s Inn Fields
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• closure of three toilets: in Pond Square, South End Green and West End Lane (unless a viable and sustainable proposal is agreed as a result of the public engagement exercise). We will decide our next steps in May 2016 and we will publish a report with your responses and our proposals on our website. We want to continue to work on ways to keep our toilets open. We will continue to discuss how we can do this with local people, local businesses and external suppliers. camden.gov.uk/publictoilets
New young people’s foundation planned The Council has agreed proposals for a Camden Young People’s Foundation as part of plans to reshape the borough’s youth support services. The new charitable youth foundation will involve the Council joining forces with voluntary and community organisations to harness our collective strength and pull in more funding for youth services. The Camden Young People’s Foundation will boost partnerships within the youth sector and help protect youth work and services from further government cuts. The youth foundation proposal was agreed by the Council’s Cabinet on 6 April as part of changes to youth support services, which will save £1.6 million overall. An eight-week consultation received nearly 500 responses. As a result of this feedback, none of the Council’s five main youth centres will close at present. Somers Town Youth Centre, Fresh Youth Academy in Highgate and Kilburn Youth Station will become our three main ‘hub’ centres, opening for reduced hours – but for longer than originally proposed.
The Cabinet also agreed to keep the South Camden Youth and Connexions Access Point (SCYAP) running, while looking at ways to maintain youth services in future, including through the proposed youth foundation. The revised plans also mean funding two posts to continue valuable work on preventing gang activity and youth violence and helping to address issues early before they become bigger problems. Councillor Georgia Gould, Cabinet Member for Young People and Economic Growth, said: “We were struck time and again by how highly young people value our youth workers, projects and services. “We have thought hard about what those who responded – many of them young people – had to say and have looked again to see how we can provide high quality targeted services and sustain a universal service for all our young people in the face of continuing cuts to our budget by central government.” camden.gov.uk/ youthservices
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Right place, right time We want to make sure you get the right social care and health support in the right place at the right time. We’ve been co-ordinating health and social care services to improve the care and support you receive and to give you more choice and control.
• support at home after an accident or illness • financial and administrative support
Some of the ways we’re doing this include:
• advice about managing money and benefits, filling in forms and staying safe at home
• social workers and occupational therapists in GP surgeries
• equipment to help you stay independent at home.
Help at home Catherine Freeman has chronic arthritis in her knee and ankle and was finding it increasingly difficult to walk. After visiting her local GP she was given an appointment with one of the occupational therapists we have placed in some GP surgeries, who provided equipment to help her at home. “She was so helpful,” said Catherine. “She told me the walking stick I was using was not the right height for me and gave me a new one. She also gave me a trolley to carry things around the house. It’s so useful because you can’t carry things like mugs and newspapers when you’re using a stick.” After experiencing a fall at home Catherine was also visited by our rapid response team of nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and assistant practitioners, who supported Catherine at home.
Catherine Freeman
24 | Camden | May 2016
“The team arranged for me to get a walker with wheels which I now use to help me walk around more safely. In the past I had to drive to visit my friend who lived around the corner but once I had the walker I was able to walk there. As soon as the weather is sunnier I’ll use my walker to get to the supermarket rather than driving.”
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Odenho Krukoko
Getting connected Odenho Krukoko was socially isolated and struggling to find community activities to take part in. His GP put him in touch with one of our care navigators who helped Odenho find local activities in his community. “My care navigator is fantastic – she tells me about all sorts of different courses and community events. I try to go to one or two every week so that I am not indoors all day by myself. I attended a computer course and got a certificate at the end. Now I’m attending a creative writing
Dorian Josiah
course which I am really enjoying because I intend to write a book in the future. I also go the Irish Centre where people are very friendly and we have tea parties.”
Independent living Dorian Josiah had been experiencing pain and seizures. After a bad fall he was visited by occupational therapists who decided that it wasn’t safe for him to live in his flat any more. Rather than lose his independence, Dorian was given the opportunity to move into an extra care flat – with his own front door and access
to 24/7 care and support. “It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I don’t have to worry about anything anymore. I know that if I have a seizure in the middle of the night there will be someone there. I still have my freedom and independence, but I am happy and stress-free.”
Find out more camden.gov.uk/bettercare
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Camden schools
Go-ahead for Camden schools partnership Plans for a not-for-profit company to help Camden schools work together to improve teaching and learning for pupils have been approved by the Council.
The Camden Schools Led Partnership, jointly launched by schools and the Council in January 2015 as a way of raising standards, will now be given full legal status as a limited company.
The Partnership gives our school leaders a chance to effectively drive school improvement with each other’s support and the Council’s expertise. I think this is the way forward for us.
The Partnership, agreed by the Council’s Cabinet with the overwhelming backing of headteachers, governors and other partners, was already being planned well before the Government announced plans to turn every state school into an academy by 2022.
“Although our proposal for the Partnership was put forward before the Government plans were known, it is more important now, because if statutory responsibility for schools is taken away from local authorities, the Partnership will mean that all our pupils can continue to benefit from our collaboration, whatever the future legal status of the schools within it.”
Councillor Angela Mason CBE, Camden’s Cabinet Member for Children, said: “This is an innovative model of how schools and local authorities can work together in the future for the benefit of all students and staff. 26 | Camden | May 2016
More than nine out of 10 Camden pupils go to schools which are rated either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Argyle Primary School vegetable parade
Karen Simpson, headteacher at Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children, said: “We have benefited hugely from the excellent training, school improvement and support services that the Council has provided. As the world of educational policy continues to change dramatically, I am fully in support of the Partnership becoming a legal entity as I feel it is the only way to secure these services for our community of good and outstanding schools for the future.”
Find out more camden.gov.uk/schools
Camden schools
Vegetable parade marks start of spring planting Pupils at Argyle Primary School marked the start of the spring planting season with a vegetable-themed fancy dress parade in the playground, followed by a tasting feast. Children and staff made their own colourful vegetable costumes, which also included the occasional fruit or salad outfit, ranging from carrots, peas and runner beans to tomatoes, lettuce and strawberries. The children then had fun tasting vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices, including plantain and raw ginger, some of which they had not tasted before.
Argyle Primary, in King’s Cross, is one of several Camden schools which are leading the way in growing vegetables, herbs and other plants - teaching pupils vital lessons about nature and healthy eating. Argyle recently hosted a Food Growing Schools: London conference and is currently a finalist in the prestigious 2015-16
Rolls Royce Science Prize, thanks to their gardening and outdoor learning activities. The school also plans to set up an outdoor teaching kitchen.
Find out more argyle.camden.sch.uk foodgrowingschools.org
Haverstock students recognised with Diana Award Three Haverstock School students have had their volunteering work with older residents recognised with a national Diana Award.
Year 12 students Joao Cordeiro, Hiva Hosseini and Bella GrahamDiatta will receive Diana Awards in July for their intergenerational volunteering, which is organised and supported by Haverstock School, in Chalk Farm. The awards, in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, are given to young people who show outstanding courage and compassion.
Haverstock students Joao Cordeiro and Hiva Hosseini
Joao, Hiva and Bella run Saturday film and bingo sessions for large groups of local over 60s. The award also recognises their work supporting fellow Haverstock students in their school’s library and media club.
Nikki Haydon, Haverstock School’s community partnerships coordinator, said: “For four years, these three inspirational young people have been making an enormous difference to the lives of old and young, within and outside the school community. “Older people are full of praise for their endeavours and younger people look up to them as role models. Nothing is too much effort for these three – their outstanding citizenship deserves recognition.”
Find out more volunteercentrecamden.org.uk haverstock.camden.sch.uk 27
Feature
HS2: Compensation, communication and construction concerns Camden Council, local residents and businesses have submitted petitions to the House of Lords, whose members are currently scrutinising the High Speed 2 (HS2) Bill.
The Council’s petition raises concerns about unfair compensation, HS2 Ltd’s poor community engagement, and the need for a full redevelopment of the Euston mainline station. You can read the petition in full on our website. We are also asking for a further increase in the Community and Environment Fund and for the removal of Clause 48 from the Bill. Clause 48 would give the government powers to compulsory purchase additional land outside of the railway scheme, which could have a negative impact on Camden. Now we have submitted the petition, we can appear before the House of Lords Select 28 | Camden | May 2016
Hampstead Road Bridge
Committee to address our original concerns. These include air quality, altering the height of Hampstead Road Bridge, and transporting construction materials and waste by rail rather than road. We are continuing to work on the legal agreement that underpins previous assurances on open space, replacement trees and provision of a construction training centre. We have reserved the right to appear before the Select Committee on these issues if the legal agreement is not finalised by that time.
Reducing the impact on homes We’re determined to hold HS2 Ltd to account and deliver on the
assurances we have secured that will help reduce HS2’s impact in Camden. We’ve been working to ensure HS2 Ltd do more to manage the impacts of HS2 on residential properties during the construction period. HS2 Ltd has now begun implementing the assurances given to us by writing to 1,300 of the residents in homes they consider to be most directly affected by works. This represents an increase of almost 300 homes from the 1,025 they originally identified. We have always maintained that the impacts of HS2 construction would be greater than HS2 Ltd reported. HS2 Ltd will offer these residents the opportunity to have a survey
Feature Computer generated images of replacement housing on Robert Street and Hampstead Road
of their homes to establish what mitigation is needed and which rooms require it, taking into account any heritage considerations. We have decided that all Council tenants’ homes will be surveyed and we strongly advise our leaseholders, and other residents who are eligible, to accept the offer of the survey and any forthcoming mitigation. HS2 Ltd have committed to appointing an independent assessor. They will survey a representative sample of a further group of homes in the Euston area to assess the impacts of HS2 construction. We expect more information in summer 2016.
Building replacement homes We’ve begun work building replacement homes for all council tenants and resident leaseholders set to lose their homes to HS2. As a result of our campaigning, HS2 Ltd are planning to build homes on eight sites on Regent’s Park Estate. We’ll also use some of the new Stanhope and Winchester apartments on Stanhope Street as replacement housing. Work so far includes the demolition of the former Cape of Good Hope pub, rerouting utilities and initial groundwork. We expect the homes to be completed and ready for residents to move into in 2017, ahead of HS2 demolition in 2018.
We’re writing to tenants who are losing their homes to explain how the allocations process for the new homes will work. This summer we will ask tenants to choose at least four blocks that they would like to move to and state their preferences for specific floors. The homes will be allocated in the first instance to tenants with a particular medical need and then based on the length of time the tenant has lived on the estate.
Find out more camden.gov.uk/hs2 highspeed2@camden.gov.uk
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New service for people with muscle, bone and joint conditions Camden Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – the organisation which plans and funds local health services – has agreed a plan to transform musculoskeletal services for adults in Camden. Musculoskeletal (MSK) services treat patients with injuries or conditions related to their muscles, bones or joints, such as arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, sport injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder, back or ankle pain.
hospital appointment or an inpatient operation. Currently, patients often get bounced back to their GP for a new referral when they need to see a new service, resulting in unnecessarily long waits.”
Current service
Simplifying the system
In Camden, different providers currently deliver parts of the MSK service. Local residents have told the CCG that the system is too complicated and could be improved.
To tackle the issues with the current service, Camden CCG is in the process of securing an integrated MSK service through a single contract. This means that one provider will be responsible for ensuring excellent outcomes for all MSK patients. Existing services valued by patients will continue to be available.
Hampstead GP and the CCG’s MSK lead, Dr Tom Aslan said: “Patients often need to move between MSK services – for example, from physiotherapy in the community to an outpatient 30 | Camden | May 2016
Dr Aslan said: “The new MSK service will join up services so
patients can move smoothly between their chosen providers and types of care. “All patients will have a single point of contact to assess and manage their care needs throughout, so they won’t need to repeat their story or undergo duplicated tests. The new MSK service is expected to launch in spring 2017. If you have used MSK services and would like to get involved with designing the new service please contact the team at the email below.
Find out more camdencommunications@ camdenccg.nhs.uk
FILTHY!
Voting in the EU referendum
The EU referendum takes place on 23 June,YOU but inWILL order toBE FINED AND vote you must be registered by 6 June. PROSECUTED FOR DUMPING
CAUGHT
You can vote in the EU referendum if you are registered to vote in the UK, are 18 or over on 23 June 2016, and are:
OVER
RUBBISH ON OUR STREETS.
• a British citizen living overseas who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years.
39 0 FINES
• a British or Irish citizen living in the UK, or •
How to register to vote If you are notEalready CES OFFEonNthe a Commonwealth citizen living -CRIM O IR V N E R FO electoral register, then you can D E SU IS
16 C–H register online you 2 will0 need R A M – 5 1 0 2 L I R P A to enter your national insurance
in the UK who has permission to remain in the UK or who does not require permission to remain in the UK, or
number and date of birth.
The deadline for registering to vote is Monday 6 June at midnight. If you don’t have access to the internet, or need help to register online, you can attend one of the drop-in sessions available at locations across the borough. To find your nearest drop-in session, please go to camden.gov.uk/ digitalsessions or contact the elections team on 020 7974 6000.
Apply for a postal vote If you cannot or do not wish to attend your polling station, you can apply for a postal vote once you have registered. You will need to download and complete the form available on our website at camden.gov.uk/ electionsandvoting. The deadline for returning this form to Camden’s elections team is 5pm on Tuesday 7 June.
Report fly-tipping offenders and hotspots camden.gov.uk/cleancamden 020 7974 4444 32 | Camden | May 2016
Find out more gov.uk/register-to-vote electoral.services@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 6000 31