Agenda item - Public Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:

 

(a)       Petitions: to receive any petitions presented to the full council or at the meeting itself (copy attached);

 

(b)       Written Questions: to receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 8 June 2016;

 

(c)   Deputations: to receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 8 June 2016.

 

That officers prepare a report for the next meeting of the Committee giving due consideration to the following:-

• An increase in the frequency of inspections of emergency accommodation and report on the outcome of these inspections at regular intervals to Housing & New Homes Committee;
  
  
• That satisfaction surveys are undertaken with residents moving into emergency accommodation and the results reported back;

 

• As a matter of priority the identification of sites exploration of options for the development of council-owned low cost emergency accommodation, either through a council-owned company or directly owned by the council. That this exploration focuses on non-traditional, quick to build, construction such as the Y cube and containers for these sites;

 

• A review of the no visitor rules and consider the outcome at a future meeting; with a brief to devise workable systems that enable residents to have visitors.

 

• Adopting a policy of only using emergency accommodation which satisfies the Brighton & Hove Standard[1],including guaranteed hot water.

 

• To acknowledge the Emergency and Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG) and work in partnership with the group and landlords to improve housing standards and quality of life for residents in emergency accommodation.

 

• To immediately establish an emergency accommodation board comprised of representatives from the Emergency and Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG), service providers, residents, landlords and elected members and council officers. The board will meet regularly to review conditions, complaints, evictions and to develop a strategic plan for recommendation to the Housing and New Homes Committee.

 

5.1     The Committee considered an extract of the proceedings of the meeting of full Council held on 24 March 2016, and the following petition submitted by Daniel Harris.   

 

          Homelessness Emergency Accommodation

 

“We, the undersigned request the council to consider the 10 point action plan listed below to address this matter:    

 

1.           Homemove Allocations for vulnerable persons in priority need with a duty of care should be awarded a higher banding than band C (the general band) when placed in Emergency Housing. I am looking for a band A priority.

2.           More inspections of Emergency Accommodation to ensure the living standards meets the needs of the people occupying them.

3.           The council to adopt a plan to bring emergency housing into public ownership by 2020. They MUST pledge to stop funding private landlords who only have an interest in profit.

4.           I want the council to ask all applicants to complete surveys with all emergency housed people to ensure they have a voice.

5.           The right to food, is a human right protecting the right for people to feed themselves in dignity, The council must ensure that emergency housing adequately meets the individual's dietary needs. The current conditions do not allow for a healthy diet which can be a huge issue for vulnerable people.

6.           I want the council to be radical and rather than spend millions of tax payers money in private sector emergency and temporary housing, they should build more storage container homes after the success of the BHT scheme in Brighton.

7.           I want the council to ensure that all persons in emergency accommodation have access to the internet for free.

8.           To revoke the rules on no visitors. Vulnerable people are isolated enough and this in my opinion is discrimination. Even Prisoners are allowed visitors.

9.           For persons who are vulnerable the council MUST provide them with secure social housing to ensure they are able to live life free from FEAR and outside the Private Sector Property Scam.

10.       Ensure hot water is available in emergency housing for persons to wash in comfort.

 

5.2     Council on 24 March 2016 recommended that the Housing & New Homes Committee give due consideration to the following:-

 

·         An increase in the frequency of inspections of emergency accommodation and report on the outcome of these inspections at regular intervals to Housing & New Homes Committee;

 

·         That satisfaction surveys are undertaken with residents moving into emergency accommodation and the results reported back;

 

·         Exploring along with other relevant committees as a matter of priority the identification of sites and explore the development of council owned low-cost emergency accommodation, either through a council owned company or directly owned by the council. That this exploration focuses on non-traditional, quick to build, construction such as the Y cube and containers be considered for these sites;

 

·         Undertaking a review of the no visitor rules and consider the outcome at a future meeting;

 

·         Adopting a policy of only using emergency accommodation in which hot water supply is guaranteed.

 

5.3     The Chair responded to the further recommendations as follows:

 

·         Increase frequency of inspections to emergency accommodation and report outcomes to H&NH committee

 

Monthly inspections of the blocks of B&B style accommodation are already undertaken, and any issues are raised with the landlord in line with the contract specifications.

 

Whilst there is a current good track record of repairs being completed in timescale, if issues are not addressed within the timeframes they are dealt with under the contract management arrangements.

 

An annual performance report will be included in the committee papers regarding the number of inspections; actions raised and actions resolved.

  

·         Satisfaction surveys undertaken with residents moving into TA and results reported back

 

Exit surveys will be completed with residents and the information will be included in the annual performance report.

 

·         Review no visitor rule and consider outcome at future meeting

 

A risk assessment was completed for residents placed in temporary accommodation, to ensure the accommodation will be a safe and secure place for them and other residents; taking into account some residents may be very vulnerable and at risk of predatory behaviour.

 

As the council is unable to carry out risk assessments on visitors, officers can continue to manage the risk and provide a safe environment for all residents by preventing visitors to the accommodation.

 

·         Adopt policy of using TA which hot water supply is guaranteed.

 

Hot water is required and provided in all accommodation provided by the council.

 

5.4     The Chair reported that she had received two amendments to the recommendations from Full Council.  One from the Green Group and the other from the Conservative Group.  She had agreed under Chair’s discretion to allow consideration of the amendments even though they had been received after the 10.00am deadline. 

 

5.5     Councillor Gibson proposed the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor  Deane:

           

“That the Housing & New Homes committee agrees to undertake:-

·       An increase in the frequency of inspections of emergency accommodation and report on the outcome of these inspections at regular intervals to Housing & New Homes Committee;

·       That satisfaction surveys are undertaken with residents moving into emergency accommodation and the results reported back;

·       A review of the no visitor rules and consider the outcome at a future meeting; with a brief to devise workable systems that enable residents to have visitors

 

·       To acknowledge the Emergency & Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG) and work in partnership with the group and landlords to improve housing standards and quality of life for residents in emergency accommodation

 

·        To immediately establish an emergency accommodation board comprised of representatives from the Emergency & Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG), service providers, residents, landlords and elected members and council officers. The board will meet regularly to review conditions, complaints, evictions and to develop a strategic plan for recommendation to the Housing & New Homes Committee.”

5.6   Councillor Mears proposed the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor Lewry:             

 

          “That the Housing & New Homes committee agrees to:-

·       Exploring along with other relevant committeesAs a matter of priority the identification of sites exploration of options for the development of council-owned low cost emergency accommodation, either through a council-owned company or directly owned by the council. That this exploration focuses on non-traditional, quick to build, construction such as the Y cube and containers be considered for these sites;

 

·       Adopting a policy of only using emergency accommodation which satisfies the Brighton & Hove Standard[1],including guaranteed hot waterin which hot water supply is guaranteed.”

5.7     Councillor Gibson thanked the Chair for allowing the amendments to be heard under Chair’s discretion.  He was proposing to firm up the hastily composed recommendations of Full Council.  It was clear that the first two recommendations of full council were being addressed so they had not been altered. With regard to no visitor rules, it was suggested that workable ways of allowing visitors should be investigated.  Councillor Gibson stressed the emotional importance of having visitors.

 

5.8     Councillor Gibson mentioned that he had attended the launch of the Emergency & Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG) the previous week.  He had found it a very moving meeting where people had spoken of their experience of poor living conditions and unfair treatment.  Some people had reached rock bottom and were vulnerable.  Councillor Gibson stressed the need to acknowledge the group and work with landlords. 

 

5.9               Councillor Bell stated that he hoped some of the above issues could be resolved straight away.  He considered that it was time to act rather than go away and write reports.  

5.10   Councillor Mears referred to the no visitor rule.  She stressed the need to accept that support from close family and friends was important.  She accepted that there would be a need for an officer report at the next meeting of the Committee due to the financial implications.  The Conservative Group supported both amendments, and considered that it was necessary to look at the bigger picture particularly in regard to emergency accommodation. 

5.11   Councillor Deane congratulated those people who had formed the Emergency & Temporary Housing Residents Action Group.  These people now had a voice. 

5.12   Councillor Hill asked for clarification on which recommendations could be agreed at this meeting.  The Senior Lawyer replied that some of the recommendations had financial implications and the setting up of the Board might need the sanction of the Policy, Resources and Growth Committee.   

5.13   Councillor Moonan welcomed the petition and agreed that the people involved were very vulnerable.  Councillor Moonan felt that the no visitor rule should be reviewed.  There were important suggestions to consider and she looked forward to a report to the next meeting.  

5.14   The Chair agreed that there needed to be an officer report.  She asked for the words ‘give due consideration to:’ to be added to the amendments.  

5.15   Councillor Mears stated that the Conservative amendment was to firm up the recommendations.  She needed to be satisfied that emergency accommodation was suitable.  Councillor Mears stated that she would  support a report back to the next committee meeting. 

5.16   At this point members voted on both amendments which were unanimously agreed with the words “That officers prepare a report for the next meeting of the Committee giving due consideration to the following” added to the resolution.

5.17 RESOLVED- That officers prepare a report for the next meeting of the Committee giving due consideration to the following:-

• An increase in the frequency of inspections of emergency accommodation and report on the outcome of these inspections at regular intervals to Housing & New Homes Committee;
  
  
• That satisfaction surveys are undertaken with residents moving into emergency accommodation and the results reported back;

 

• As a matter of priority the identification of sites exploration of options for the development of council-owned low cost emergency accommodation, either through a council-owned company or directly owned by the council. That this exploration focuses on non-traditional, quick to build, construction such as the Y cube and containers for these sites;

 

• A review of the no visitor rules and consider the outcome at a future meeting; with a brief to devise workable systems that enable residents to have visitors.

 

• Adopting a policy of only using emergency accommodation which satisfies the Brighton & Hove Standard[1],including guaranteed hot water.

 

• To acknowledge the Emergency and Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG), and work in partnership with the group and landlords to improve housing standards and quality of life for residents in emergency accommodation.

 

• To immediately establish an emergency accommodation board comprised of representatives from the Emergency and Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG), service providers, residents, landlords and elected members and council officers. The board will meet regularly to review conditions, complaints, evictions and to develop a strategic plan for recommendation to the Housing & New Homes Committee.

 

5.18    There were no written questions or deputations.