The Council of Camden Council scheduled a meeting for 21 July 2025, where they were expected to discuss a range of topics, including amendments to motions, cultural investments, homelessness, and the adoption of the Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan. The meeting was also scheduled to include a statement by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Olszewski, and a question and answer session with cabinet members.

• Amendments to Motions
• Adoption of Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan 2025-2040
• Camden's Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 - 2030
• We Make Camden: State of the Borough 2025 Report
• Council Update on the Themed Debate on Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation

Amendments to Motions

The council was scheduled to consider amendments to two motions.

The first motion, proposed by Councillor Matt Cooper and Councillor Rebecca Filer, concerned the housing crisis in Camden and London. The amended motion notes the severity of the housing crisis, with over 8,000 people on the waiting list for social housing, and the increasing cost of private renting. It also acknowledges the council's efforts to build new homes and secure new homes through the planning process, and the trend of private units in major developments being marketed overseas. The amended motion resolves to call on the cabinet to prioritise housing for Camden residents and to develop a planning framework to achieve this.

The second motion, proposed by Councillor Tommy Gale and seconded by Councillor Izzy Lenga, addresses the importance of democracy in decision making and the need to ensure that a wide group of people is aware of and involved in shaping decisions. The amended motion notes that the council already seeks to address concerns raised during consultations by making changes or not proceeding with a particular measure. It also notes that the council is always looking for new ways to encourage responses and intends to continue to reach as many and as diverse a group of people as possible for any given consultation.

Themed Debate - Camden Invests in Culture - Culture Strategy

The council was scheduled to hold a themed debate on Camden's approach to supporting the culture sector, grassroots artists and businesses to unlock cultural opportunities which benefit residents and communities. The debate was expected to explore how the council has invested in culture and the development of a new cultural strategy for 2026–2031. The report pack mentions several initiatives:

• Camden Film Office, which attracts commercial clients to the borough.
• Set Ready, an initiative providing paid work placements in the film industry.
• STEAM Work Experience (STEAM WEX), a programme for Camden Year-12 students to explore careers in the cultural and creative industries.
• Artist Studios in Regents Park Estate, providing affordable creative workspaces.
• Museum Of Youth Culture, a museum dedicated to youth culture in St Pancras Campus¹.
• 2 Prince Of Wales Road, a project to create a Neighbourhood Space with free artist studio spaces.
• Camden High Street Pedestrianisation, including a culture programme with community-focused events.
• Community Power - Regent's Park Estate Story Trail, a celebration of the estate's history and community.
• Camden Schools Art Biennale (CSAB), a project showcasing art from Camden schools.
• Little Amal, an event celebrating multiculturalism and interfaith connections.
• Love Camden Cultural Programme, which celebrates the borough's heritage and contemporary culture.
• Cultural Education and Learning Support Fund, which enables arts organisations to deliver free learning programmes.
• Deliberative Cultural Conversations, roundtable discussions to shape a cultural vision for Camden.
• Camden Artist Network, a network connecting artists and creatives.
• Cultural Camden Partnership, a network of arts and culture organisations.

The report pack also details three themes that contribute to the ambitions of the cultural strategy:

• People and Place: Creating opportunities for culture in neighbourhoods and public spaces.
• Learning and Skills: Providing access to learning and work experience in the creative sector.
• Grow and Thrive: Enabling the cultural and creative industries to be sustainable and contribute to the economy.

Council Update on the Themed Debate on Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation

The council was scheduled to provide an update on the themed debate on homelessness and temporary accommodation held in April 2025. The update was expected to focus on the work of the Temporary Accommodation Taskforce and the progress of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.

The report pack notes that the Temporary Accommodation Taskforce was formed in October 2024 to improve the experience of residents in temporary accommodation and reduce costs for the council. Some of the measures taken by the taskforce include moving households from expensive commercial hotels to alternative accommodation, renegotiating rates with temporary accommodation providers, and replacing expensive nightly paid accommodation with more affordable units.

The report pack also mentions the Raise Camden Child Health Equity Data Audit, which identified that temporary accommodation has negative impacts on the health determinants of children. A taskforce will be created by Public Health to focus on improving the childhood experiences of those born into the most difficult situations.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy is a 5-year plan to address homelessness in Camden. The draft strategy is shaped around four priorities: preventing homelessness, supporting people who are experiencing homelessness, improving housing options for homeless people, and campaigning for change nationally and sharing our learning.

Adoption of Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan 2025-2040

The council was scheduled to consider the adoption of the Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan 2025-2040, which updates and would supersede the current version adopted in 2018. The report pack notes that the independent examiner found that the plan meets the basic conditions, subject to modifications.

The Hampstead Neighbourhood 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 vision of the plan is to conserve and foster Hampstead's charm and liveability by protecting the distinctive character of buildings and open spaces, the Heath, healthy living, community spirit and the local economy, while also increasing sustainability, mitigating climate change and enhancing the natural environment.

The plan includes policies on design and heritage, the natural environment, basements, traffic and transport, the economy, and housing and community.

Camden's Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 - 2030 under the Licensing Act 2003

The council was scheduled to consider the adoption of Camden's Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 - 2030 under the Licensing Act 2003. The report pack outlines the process the council has followed to review and amend the current policy, including a 13-week statutory consultation.

The draft policy includes updates, additions and revisions, such as the addition of a pre-application advice service, policies on women's safety and alcohol related harm, and revisions to framework hours and licence conditions. The report pack also notes that the Licensing Committee resolved that there was not sufficient evidence of cumulative impact in the Camden Town and Seven Dials areas to require a Cumulative Impact Assessment Statement, and as a consequence, the cumulative impact policy areas have been removed from the draft policy prior to consultation.

The report pack includes a summary of consultation responses, which highlighted key themes and areas of concern, such as the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, public safety, the protection of children from harm, and balancing economic and community interests.

The report pack also details further changes proposed to the draft policy, such as revisions to model conditions, the reintroduction of a section on risk assessment, and updates to the sections on framework hours, dispersal policies, women's safety, and psychoactive substances.