Waxham [Nigel Cox]

THE Town Hall has withdrawn its support for a district management committee (DMC) of council tenants amid concerns meetings have gone out of control.

In a letter sent to Gospel Oak DMC chair Terence Ewing and its members, one of the council’s top housing officials Mary McGowan said she had received reports that a meeting in December was poorly conducted and unruly.

Housing chief Labour councillor Meric Apak had emailed Mr Ewing with his concerns – and received assurances that the incidents wouldn’t be repeated. However, according to the letter, a meeting on March 4 saw the chair “unable to manage a meeting that would support a DMC”, “inappropriate language”, officers having to step in to the meeting and members being rude to officers in return.

Ms McGowan told the members that officers would no longer attend and engage with meetings, and said Cllr Apak would no longer attend until the issues have been resolved.

She said meetings would not be advertised by the council, papers would not be published on its website and budget bids by tenants and residents’ associations (TRAs) would not be presented to the DMC’s next meeting in June. Camden is split into five DMCs by area and the system is meant to give tenants the chance to liaise – and challenge – their landlords.

TRA chairs can also bid for funding for projects in their block, with the process managed by the DMCs.

Belsize Conservative councillor Steve Adams, who sits on the DMC, said: “Vast numbers of people could be potentially disenfran­chised because of one person’s bad behaviour and Camden’s refusal to deal with it themselves. “They had no alternative but to take this action at this time. But having taken it, I don’t think it’s reasonable for them to not be part of the solution.”

Mr Ewing declined to comment when app­roached by the New Journal, but said he was conducting a survey of members in an attempt to resolve issues.

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “The council has had to temporarily withdraw in­volvement whilst DMC members respond to concerns relating to misconduct at a recent meeting. “In the meantime, we have offered our advice and support in finding a solution to the matters raised, but any changes will be led by the DMC.”