Summary from February 2025 Board Meeting:

The last Board Meeting discussed a number of issues relating to the construction phase of the project, as well as funding and the Section 106 agreement with Camden.

On construction/build:

A construction company has now been appointed after a lengthy tender process, and it is hoped that they will be on site by the Autumn.

On funding:

The GLA continues to fully support the project, and we are negotiating with a number of banks to provide loan facilities.

We are also interested in finding individuals or organisations/trust funds who would be willing to donate to the project – any extra funds we can attract will help us to make the units more affordable! A member has already started pushing this initiative forward.

On Section 106:

We are currently negotiating with a Housing Association, who have offered to buy the two social rent units (already allocated by Camden), and who will manage the whole building for a period of time after completion.

Summary of March’s board meeting

We now have a shadow 106 agreement with Camden, which is what covers the

terms of allocations and discounts for the purchased units with discount to

market.

The Board continued to discuss the proposed relationship with a housing

association which would manage the property, as well as buying the two Council-

allocated rental units.

Four bids have been received to become our sales and marketing agent; these

will be reviewed and a recommendation is expected to be made to the Board at

the April meeting.

Finally, it was agreed to progress the recruitment of a project co-ordinator, and

member will have seen the job description and application form on the web-site

already. Closing date for applications is 22 nd April.

The project is moving forwards rapidly – the 106 agreement is ready for signature, which means that planning permission will be confirmed, and the detailed design for the building can now start.  The GLA continues to fund the project and discussions for major funding are progressing.

A sales and marketing company has been appointed to take charge of market and discounted sales.

The Board was delighted to receive a number of very promising applications for the project co-ordinator role.  Candidates will be informed of whether we will be taking their applications forward over the next few days, and first interviews arranged shortly.

In May the Board was able to confirm the appointment of a new Project co-ordinator, Sylvie Jacobi, whom many will remember as a previous volunteer.  We will be delighted to welcome her back during the summer.

 We have also had to move to an additional bank account so that large invoices can be paid – a reminder that the project is moving forwards rapidly.

We are currently negotiating with Network Rail over their proposed costs to ensure the safety of the nearby underground workings.

Something members might like to consider is to respond to the National CLT network for comment about their campaign for 10% of the increased Council Tax on second homes to be passed to CLT groups.  They have a sample letter available if members would like to be involved.

 Finally, long-term Board member Dave Woods has resigned form the Board for health reasons.  We are very sorry to lose Dave, who has been an enormous support over the years.  Not only has he been an inspiration for us all in terms of his knowledge and experience, but he has constantly contributed an enormous amount of hard work to our sub-committees.  We would like to thank him wholeheartedly, and will miss him.

The June Board Meeting covered a number of key updates around project delivery, finance, and governance as the CLT moves closer to the construction phase.

On project development:
The Board reviewed progress on finalising the pre-construction phase. The contractor, Kind & Co, and professional teams are now working towards the start-on-site milestone, with cost checks and legal documents being completed. A new project management arrangement is being agreed to ensure smooth coordination during the next stage.

On finance:
The CLT’s financial position remains stable, with restricted and unrestricted funds monitored closely. The Board discussed procedures for authorising payments and agreed to improve systems for co-signing and oversight as large payments become due under the Pre-Construction Services Agreement. Further grant drawdowns from the GLA are expected shortly.

On leases and management:
Work continues on the Discounted Market Sale (DMS) leases to ensure that homes remain affordable in perpetuity. The CLT is also reviewing the draft management agreement with CDS Co-operatives for the two social rented homes. These documents will form part of the final legal package required before construction can start.

On governance:
The Board reflected on its recent internal review and agreed to strengthen communication and decision-making processes between meetings. A draft financial protocol and updated communication procedures will be introduced at the next meeting.

On community and membership:
The Membership and Engagement sub-group continues to reconnect with members and encourage participation in CLT activities. Planning has begun for the September Annual General Meeting, which will provide a full project update and elections for new and continuing Board members.

The July Board Meeting focused on key updates in project development, governance, and community engagement as NW3 CLT moves toward the start of construction and finalisation of agreements with partners.

On project development:
The Board discussed progress toward securing additional funding from the GLA and finalising legal agreements with Camden. Camden has offered a risk-share arrangement to help manage delivery risks. The project remains on track to start on site by April 2026, subject to final approvals.
The Board also noted the forthcoming appointment of Silvie Jacobi as Project Coordinator to support governance, communications, and partnership management.

On CDS and building management:
A draft management agreement has been received from CDS Co-operatives for review. The Board aims to finalise this within three months to meet funder requirements. Members discussed the need for clear service standards and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) around maintenance and resident support. A workshop will be held in early September to review these details, ensuring that the future management of the building reflects the CLT’s community ethos.

On community engagement:
Board members Sara Anand and Calum Millbank reported on the ongoing membership engagement survey. Around 70 members have now been contacted, many expressing interest in being more active but uncertain how to get involved. The Board emphasised the importance of building emotional connection and participation among members, beyond the technical aspects of development.
The CLT continues to strengthen its public presence, with Chair Sanya Polescuk contributing to external media and Camden Council being included in the communications loop.

On governance and working practices:
The Board reviewed its internal communication and decision-making processes following the departure of the previous Project Manager. A Working Together framework is being developed to clarify the roles of committees, improve coordination, and ensure consistency across the organisation.
It was agreed that the Development and Finance Sub-Committees will meet regularly to report back, while Community Engagement and Allocations Committees will convene as needed.

On AGM preparations:
The AGM will take place on 16 September 2025. Planning has begun for logistics, including Camden’s approval for on-site access, contingency for poor weather, and advance notice to members regarding board elections and the meeting programme.

The August Board Meeting focused on final preparations for the September AGM and progress toward key legal and management agreements ahead of construction.

On leases and legal progress:
The Board reviewed the final report from Colin Archer (CLH) and agreed to appoint Penningtons to draft leases for both the Discounted Market Sale (DMS) and rented homes. These will be based on a detailed schedule of key terms to ensure affordability in perpetuity.
The Board discussed a range of policy questions, including resale value formulas, subletting rules, pet policies, and occupancy limits. A working group led by Silvie Jacobi will develop positions on each point, supported by legal advice, and a draft lease will be submitted to the GLA within six months.

On project development:
The Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) was signed on 6 August, marking an important milestone. The design phase runs until the end of October, with a target start-on-site in spring 2026. The Board also noted ongoing discussions with Resonance about a potential interest-free land loan to strengthen the CLT’s financial position.
A Building Safety seminar with Calford Seaden will be organised before the CDS management workshop so that all board members understand the CLT’s landlord obligations under new fire-safety legislation.

On CDS management agreement:
A detailed cost schedule from CDS has been received and is under review. The Board raised concerns about repair response times and the need for clearer definitions of “emergency” repairs. A workshop will be held in early September to finalise the service offer and responsibilities.

On community engagement and AGM:
The Membership team reported mixed responses from the ongoing membership calls, with both enthusiasm and some frustration among members who wish to see progress on site. The Board discussed tidying the membership list while keeping numbers stable to ensure quorum for the AGM.
The AGM will be held on 16 September 2025, beginning at Daleham Gardens (weather permitting) and continuing at 8a Belsize Lane. Camden Council officers have been invited to attend, and the programme will include presentations on project progress, community engagement, and board elections.

On governance and systems:
The Board reaffirmed the importance of improving communication and document management through the upcoming IT systems migration. A more reliable shared platform will support collaboration and accuracy in communications.
It was agreed that board minutes will now include a clear “Decisions Made” section and that draft minutes will be circulated promptly for review.

Acknowledgements:
The Board expressed appreciation to Colin Archer for his continued support and guidance as he steps back from his advisory role.

The Board discussed draft leases for the discounted market sales units, which are likely to have an overlap with the social housing leases.  We have appointed Penningtons Solicitors to work with us on the leases. 

Potential mortgage lenders have also been identified.

A number of important ‘background’ issues were progressed, such as the new Building Safety Regulations, new banking arrangements now that large grants and loans will start to be paid in and fees paid out.

The Board discussed the need for a special meeting to discuss strategy and how to develop workstreams in the light of the progression of building plans.  Skills needed for the future include sales and marketing and finance.

Discussions with Network Rail progress, and our project has been deemed an acceptable risk.  The next step will be a tunnelling survey.

Funding discussions have been held with a number of banks, who will be taking proposals to their credit committees in the New Year.

There was a report made about contact with our members, more than 200 of whom have been contacted.  It appears that while the majority are well-wishers, there are around 13 who are in housing need, 8 of whom may be willing to undergo affordability checks for the discounted market dales units.

A meeting will be arranged in the New Year for members.

The Board agreed a proposal to update our IT so that it is easy to use by all Board members, provides easy access to documents & remains fully compliant with GDPR.