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.