CAMDEN
BACKGROUND
The council is Labour led with 35 of the 54 seats.
The council employs 7,022 staff and has a general fund budget for 2004/05 of £307.5 million.
The way that Camden LBC is run and the delivery of services has been assessed as excellent [Audit Commission CPA website].
Camden is an extremely diverse borough, from Hampstead in the north and Bloomsbury in the south, together with those areas of Kilburn, KentishTown, CamdenTown and Kings Cross.
mid-2003 population estimates there were 210,800 people residing in Camden
25th most deprived borough nationally with 10 of its 26 wards in the most deprived 10 per cent in the country. Unemployment, at 4.2 per cent, is higher than the average for England of 2.6 per cent.
third largest contributor to London’s GDP, and provides over 1% of Britain’s GDP
between 1994 and 2000 Camden suffered a decline in VAT registered businesses of 4.65%, a net loss of 720 businesses. next worst performing local authority was the City of London, which recorded a net gain of 11%.
The average ranking also masks the polarisation or deep inequality that exists within the borough, that is, the gap between the most deprived ward and the most well off. Camden stands out as the most polarised borough in London and ranks as the 33rd most polarised local authority in England.
15% of Camden households have an income in excess of £60,000
White, 73.2%
Born in UK, 63.2%
Qualifications at degree level or higher, 47.0% [national average is fraction under 20]. Possibly a UCL effect?
Indices of Deprivation: Local Authority Summaries, Rank of Average Score1 , 19
In mid-2003, 11.8 per cent of the resident population in Camden were of retirement age (65 and over for males or 60 and over for females) compared with 18.5 per cent in England and Wales.
In the twenty years between 1982 and 2002 the population of Camden grew by 17.9 per cent, compared with an increase of 8.7 per cent for London region as a whole.
Council (local authority), 26%
Housing Association / Registered Social Landlord, 11%
can watch and listen to councillors in council meetings via live webcasting from the council chamber. [excellent opportunity to experiment with ward stuff?]. this has attracted national attention [IDEA documents].
DEVOLVED STRUCTURES
National Neighbourhood Management Round 1 Pathfinder (Gospel Oak)
Round 1 Pathfinder [Gospel Oak] [spoke at the recent HO/NRU meeting I attended]. Gospel Oak is an inner London neighbourhood dominated by densely populated council housing although there is a significant proportion of expensive owner occupied homes. The Neighbourhood Management Team has been in operation since February 2002, and consists of five permanent staff (including the neighbourhood manager) although the Neighbourhood Manager is only an interim appointment at present. The main activities of the Pathfinder during the first year have focused on housing and the environment. Also in March 2002 an internal council working group was set up to ensure buy-in from all of the council departments – this appears to still exist. This not only provided a clear signal of intent but it identified key people who could influence various departments. the Neighbourhood manager reports to the Chair of the Board on Pathfinder issues and on professional matters to an Assistant Director in the Housing Department. The Board consists of 25 members (7 residents, 10 agency and business representatives, 8 from faith or voluntary organisations).
Policing: The Pathfinder provides new resources for the police which are likely to lead to an increased emphasis on community policing. In addition, the Pathfinder provides funding for additional dog patrols in the area, which is well received by residents.
Housing: A new council wide cleaning contract has been negotiated in order to improve the neighbourhood; there is the proviso that if the new area-standard is not sufficient, the programme can be adapted specifically for Gospel Oak. The council is also looking to develop controlled parking zones in response to concerns over parking expressed by residents on the estates.
Employment and Training: A new forum has been established to bring together providers in the area and key funders. For some of the smaller providers this direct engagement is important as it gives providers the opportunity to put forward specific ideas for the local area.
LSP and Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy
Arup have just finished preparing a comprehensive Regeneration Strategy for the Borough. 10 neighbourhoods of priority need were identified in the Borough. Of the 10 focus areas, four priority 'target' areas were identified where extensive and immediate action was required:
1] ring of linked communities covering an area of c8km, with the Kings Cross/St Pancras Station transport interchanges at its centre. Recommendations for this Kings Cross 'deprivation doughnut' area focused on the need for Camden Council and its partners to work with the community to prepare and empower them to take advantage of the opportunities crated by the rail lands developments, and reject the crime and negative images of the area. Central to achieving this were improvements in community representation, health services, education, and developing a 'job ready' labour pool.
2] Gospel Oak Estatesneed for greater community development was acknowledged, both to encourage participation in planning the area's future, and to create a stronger community spirit to give local people the confidence to reduce crime and realise opportunities for local enterprise themselves.
3] Highgate Newton and the Whittington Estate Though amongst the smallest neighbourhoods identified, levels of deprivation were considered extremely high. projects that supported co-operative working between young and old.
4] Kilburn dramatic effect of rising house prices on affordable housing, and the need to preserve the vibrancy of Kilburn High Road as a centre for local community activity.
The strategy will be reviewed every six months. The LSP agreed to focus neighbourhood renewal activity on the ten most deprived neighbourhoods of Camden known as neighbourhood renewal areas (NRA’s). However, not all deprivation is focussed on areas and so some activity addresses issues that contribute to deprivation. Area Co-ordinators (key neighbourhood based officers in the Council). thematic panels (sub groups of the LSP) include ‘Capacity Building & Community Development’.
To help understand the problems of deprivation in Camden 1,000 households were interviewed. This survey will be repeated every few years to gauge progress. The Office of Public Management worked with Camden Council to design and carry out a survey to provide a range of measures to both inform their Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy and act as a baseline for evaluation. face-to-face representative sample survey across the borough, together with booster samples in each of Camden’s ten Neighbourhood Renewal Areas. Interviews were conducted in English, Bengali and Somali, with some interviewers from local neighbourhoods being recruited and trained to carry out the survey. The questionnaire included measures of social capital as well as more traditional measures relating to local problems, physical infrastructure and demographics.
In April 2005 the Office of Public Management published a report concerned with “developing a framework for measuring the impact of Camden’s NRF Programme”. This made little real reference to the neighbourhood scale – the main mentions (in a 50-page document) were:
- Increased efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of local neighbourhood partnerships and neighbourhood renewal activities in Highgate Newtown and Caversham.
- Residents will be involved in the Kilburn Neighbourhood Partnership, through regular public meetings in a forum format. These will take place in rotation around local neighbourhood settings.
- Empower the local community to tackle youth crime & ASB on their estates. Local Residents acting as volunteers on the project working in partnership with the council, using their local knowledge and commitment to improve the community they live in.
- Good practice in engaging the local community is identified amongst the UK online centres in the Kilburn and spread through collaborative working to UK online centres serving Kings Cross, Holborn and Covent Garden.
- Local people (in particular from socially excluded groups) are increasingly involved in improving and managing open spaces.
Groundwork Camden & Islington
undertakes environmental improvement projects in partnership with the local community - including the local authority, tenants associations, local businesses and community groups. place great importance on active participation and involvement, particularly of those who live and work around the site of a project. [from website] “The Trust seeks to earn the respect of partners and stakeholders and be recognised as the agency of first choice to deliver sustainable regeneration and community empowerment”. Jane Fifield 020 7239 1385
NEIGHBOURHOODS
Kings Cross Community Development Trust
Started 1999. aim to ensure that local communities have an ever-greater stake in the area and its opportunities by strengthening the organisation as a vehicle for community participation and community-led regeneration. set-up for community groups representing people who live and/or work in King's Cross (both in Camden and Islington). meet regularly to discuss key developments [run by Camden Council]. The project is funded by the Community Fund and is: building our capacity as a Development Trust[1] – including through long-term goal of securing assets. promoting increased community involvement in decision making and planning processes. Individuals are being trained as community facilitators and are delivering a range of activities within local communities informing people of the change ahead and giving them an opportunity to voice their hopes and concerns and identify opportunities. The Trust has established a Resource Centre with books, reports and other publications available to member groups and organisations to use.
Families in Focus, Ampthill Square, Camden
An estate-based initiative founded in 2002, centred on neighbouring estates in the Somers Town Area of the London Borough of Camden. The estates were extremely poor and hostile, with high levels of crime and drug abuse. Local residents and Camden council collaborated to set up a new project, Families in Focus, which concentrated on improving conditions for children and young people. The thinking was that children were both the source of anti-social behaviour, but also that parents would come to trust authorities that helped their children. A wide range of services have been gradually developed and provided, including holiday programmes, guidance and advice about bullying, drugs, etc, and children’s and young people’s forums. The Families in Focus steering group was drawn from the local community. Young people, their parents and residents more generally have been consulted and involved. Cited by Home Office [and by GP in his regen n renewal article on resident research].
Caversham Neighbourhood Partnership
This is interesting in that senior figures in the partnership [Meric Apak and, probably, Alan Walter, the Chair] attended an event that would indicate they are aware of and supportive of the emerging neighbourhood empowerment agenda. The event was entitled “Neighbourhoods of the Future: Real power for local people” at which Phil Woolas, new minister for local government spoke about the government’s commitment to this principle. The event was extremely well represented by Camden staff, councillors and by a couple of the neighbourhood partnerships, so it was good to see just how seriously the ‘neighbourhood agenda’ is being taken [ 020 7974 3864. Theo Singleton, 020-7974 3840,
Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch[2] Scheme, covering several streets: proving that community power can make a difference. Neighbourhood Watch is increasing in Camden. Estelle Road have had a community day, which was very well attended and a Neighbourhood Watch stand was run by their Co-ordinator and was a great success and hopefully the neighbouring roads will now join. Charles Rowell: Neighbourhood Watch - contacting me on my direct phone number, 020-8733-5478.
Kings Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association (KCBNA)
Community association running three community centres: King's Cross Neighbourhood Centre, Marchmont Street Community Centre and the Chadswell Healthy Living Centre. Organises a programme for older people; lunch clubs; youth work; support for local Bangladeshi, Somalian and Chinese communities; holiday playschemes; health promotion projects; community festivals; and social outings.
Highgate Newtown Community Centre [Neighbourhood Care Scheme]
Covering the Highgate Ward [so not exactly a nhood], the scheme provides practical assistance to the elderly and those with physical disabilities or learning difficulties, with tasks around the home, e.g. minor repairs, gardening, dog walking. We also provide advice and information on services and benefits. Scheme membership is different from Centre Membership and costs only £3 per year. Associate Membership available for social activities
CamdenTown Neighbourhood Advice Centre (Closure of)
Riot squad police forced their way into the (CTNAC) in Greenland Road last month following a three-week sit-in by protesters. Labour councillors voted to close down a popular CamdenTown community advice centre during a secret meeting. Ray Adamson, a former Camden Mayor, said: “We had three neighbourhood centres at one time – two have already been shut and this is the only one we have left. It would be a catastrophe for many, many people if it closes.”
Sidmouth Mews Kids Club
This project was presented with a Home Office 'Taking a Stand' award in late 2003. Sidmouth Mews and Regent Square Tenants and Residents Associations, Camden Council Housing Department, District Management Committee and the private sector. Community Involvement Team within Camden Council with their ideas for a Kids Club on the estate, and received a small grant to buy a snooker table and various board games. Kings Cross Community Development Trust offered funding for more youth worker hours. The Kids Club is situated on the Sidmouth Mews Estate and volunteers work hard to ensure that all sections of the estate community are given the opportunity to become involved. Quarterly newsletters inform parents, and other residents, of the activities and successes of the club.
The Home Zone Neighbourhood Association
Neighbourhood Association made up of residents and interested parties situated within the Lupton Street/Raveley Street/Ospringe Road Home Zone
Good Neighbour Projects
Abbey Community Centre Good neighbour scheme. 020 7624 8378/1001
West Euston Healthy Community project [part of West Euston Partnership] also has a good neighbour scheme. They may be one in the same. 020 7974 4397
Kilburn Neighbourhood Partnership
Kilburn Neighbourhood Partnership will act as a united voice for Kilburn community groups and residents. It will empower Kilburn residents & groups, gaining them recognition and respect. Service providers and funders will respond to Kilburn community's needs with better services and more resources. Since 2002 a Kilburn Community Development Steering Group has been bringing together residents, community and voluntary groups, with statutory service providers to deal with local issues and services in Kilburn [so is this now subsumed?]. Kilburn is also a Neighbourhood Renewal Area - the largest in Camden with 20,000 people living three wards - Kilburn, West Hampstead and Fortune Green. The partnership currently has Neighbourhood Renewal Funding for 2 community involvement & development workers [Kingsgate Community Centre, 020 7 372 5308, .
Highgate Newtown Neighbourhood Partnership
umbrella group of local organisations, to push forward new designs for the park. Labour councillor Maggie Cosin, HNNP chairwoman [talk to], said the project was one of a number set up to regenerate the deprived area. She said: “We have been working hard since 1997 towards the regeneration of this area, talking to a variety of groups to find out what people want. Anita Broome is the Secretary 020-7272 3798
West Euston Timebank
This is just one of the initiatives of the West Euston Partnership. Set up in 1992 the Partnership is supported by a team of Council officers and is a company limited by guarantee. It involves public, voluntary and private sector organisations working together for the continuing renewal of West Euston. Unlike many Single Regeneration Budget funded local partnerships, West Euston predates major funding. Amongst its stated aim are “working to improve the delivery of local services” [0207974 1696 .
KEY INITIATIVES AND CHALLENGES
Camden Network of Networks (the Community Empowerment Network)
co-ordinated voice for the voluntary and community sector at a strategic and practical level, which can feed into the Camden Strategic Partnership (CSP). Work with appropriate networks to provide a central resource and training programme for voluntary and community sector members on other partnerships. oversee the Camden Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest and the Community Learning Fund. will continue tomonitor and review levels of participation overall, identifying those communities or sections of the community that need to be encouraged and supported to become more actively involved.