TENANT PARTICIPATION AND CAMDEN COUNCIL STREET PROPERTIES
"There is clear evidence that the majority of LBC street properties have been left out of important consultation exercises. For example, Camden's Community Safety Strategy, rent setting process, capital works, repairs re-structuring, etc. In view of this, there is a clear reason to examine how this may have affected improvements in service delivery in a number of key areas to LBC street property tenants and residents"
"Unfortunately in the past decisions on how to develop representative structures for LBC street property tenants and residents have not in any way involved residents living in these properties. In fact, the process in place did nothing more than to contribute to the marginalisation of LBC residents living in Camden's residential streets. CASP is eager to ensure that this does not happen again!"
(CASP Deputation to Camden's Overview and Scrutiny Commission June 2005)
Camden's decision to embark on a review of its TP (Tenant Particpation) services in September 2006 and commence the development of a new tenant particpation strategy, structure and tenant participation and support service was met with some cynicism by tenant representatives across the borough.
The CASP Management Committee remains united in the view that the provision of TP services must be inclusive, accountable and accessible to everybody. One of the largest and most controversial challenges facing Camden and its established tenants forums, must be to ensure that whatever TP structures are in place, they are there to reflect the views and aspirations of ALL Camden tenants and residents.
Unfortunately, some tenants have made the mistake of comparing CASP to a traditional estate based TRA. This has demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding about why CASP was re-launched and the particular challenge it faces in terms of trying to make sure that an historically under-represented group of tenants (tenants who live in scattered street properties) get some kind of representation on issues that affect their daily lives. The dynamics are completely different although the principle of tenants needing to be represented in some shape or form is identical.
Historically, street property TA's have proved difficult to set up and even when this has been achieved, they have proved difficult to sustain, which can be demonstrated by the low number of TA's currently registered as members of District Management Committees (DMC's).
UPDATE - JUNE 2009
CASP is now formally registered and has elected CASP representatives on the following Camden groups:
There is currently one District Management Committee per district (5 committees) made up of TA Representatives from throughout each district.
The details of each DMC can be found in the relevant 'district' section on this website.
Update November 2009: The subject of the DMC's / increased representation for our members will be discussed at the Association's AGM on December 2nd 2009.
Camden's Compact Monitoring Board
Group meets to discuss the development and promotion of Camden's borough-wide Compact, which has been produced to 'monitor' and 'improve' council services. Residents are encouraged to use the Compact in order to highlight concerns regarding council services, including access to services such as TP
CASP, DMC's, etc, are currently represented on the CMB
Housing Strategy Policy Forum
Group set up to look at 'wider' issues affecting Camden, including cross-tenure issues affecting all tenants and residents throughout Camden, not just Camden Council tenants.
CASP, DMC's, Leaseholders'Forum, etc, are currently represented on the Forum.
Camden's Community Police Consultatative Group
Meets monthly to discuss issues around community safety, also to receive reports from each ward's Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT)
Joint Monitoring Group (JMG)
Group set up by Camden Council made up of tenant representatives, etc, the aim of which is to look into improving housing services.
Camden Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations (CFTRA)
CASP is now a registered member of the Camden Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations.
CASP has now elected two members of its MC to formally sit on the CFTRA Management Committee (June 4th 2009)
The exact remit of the CFTRA has changed over recent years and its new status is to act as an independent 'campaigning' voice for Camden tenants
