Agenda item - Support for people accommodated at Kendal Ct, Newhaven

Report of Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

(1)  That the Housing & New Homes Committee note the contents of the report.

54.1   The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing which informed members that the independent organisation undertaking the survey of needs of residents at Kendal Court had now been able to complete the work. The summary results from the combined survey were set out in Appendix 1 with the full survey report in Appendix 2. In addition there were other questions that members raised that were addressed in paragraph 3.3 of the report. The report was presented by the Head of Housing Needs accompanied by the Housing Options Manager.

54.2   Councillor Atkinson stated that the report demonstrated the needs of people living in Kendal Court. He stressed that that must be some way of supplying laundry facilities. The Head of Housing Needs referred to 3.3.6 of the report which set out the exploration of laundry facilities. Washing machines for residents could be considered on a case by case basis and a local charity was looking to provide laundry facilities for rough sleepers which could possibly be extended to the residents of Kendal Court. Another option was to provide bus passes to enable people to travel to their nearest launderette.

54.3   Councillor Mears thanked officers for the report. She commented that when the accommodation started in 2015 there were laundry facilities in Newhaven. There had been many changes in Newhaven since then. Councillor Mears informed the Committee that ‘Off the Fence’ had facilities in their vans (one with showers and one with laundry facilities) and there might be an opportunity to have a conversation with them. Councillor Mears stressed that residents now had more complex needs and she hoped that there would be the opportunity to explore a free laundry as a way forward.

54.4   Councillor Barnett expressed concern at the lack of laundry facilities and the lack of a free phone. She asked if Kendal Court could have two laundry collections a week. Councillor Barnett was also concerned that there was no weekend cover. As the facility was not always full she suggested that one of the rooms could accommodate a member of staff for weekend cover.  The Head of Housing Needs replied that officers could look at installing a free phone and having a laundry collection service. Officers would meet with management at Kendal Court to discuss weekend cover.

54.5   Councillor Gibson thanked officers for the report which had a great deal of detail. He asked for reasons for the reduction in occupancy at Kendal Court. He considered that there was scope for changing the guidance to reduce housing people that had multiple needs. Councillor Gibson asked if there was scope for installing spyholes in residents’ doors and queried the cost of electricity provided compared with a regular provider and whether there was a way of providing electricity that did not rely on a caretaker being on site.

54.6   The Head of Housing Needs confirmed that there had not been a reduction in the number of people living at Kendal Court. There were currently 47 residents. There were 50 units in total. There would always be turnover so numbers would change on a daily basis. The average time people lived at Kendal Court was around six months. With regard to the questions about the caretaker and having people there with complex needs, it was explained that the property was commissioned as general needs emergency accommodation. Over time the needs of people requiring accommodation had increased. At any one time about 10% of people in emergency accommodation were waiting for supported accommodation.  Part of the work being carried out by officers was to review how supported accommodation and emergency accommodation was provided.  Officers would talk to the provider about the suggestion for installing spyholes in doors.  Officers believed that electricity was on the standard rate and the provider had been requested to inform officers of the cost. The use of key meters was usual in many types of temporary accommodation. The caretaker service was covered by the contract and as this was not always being provided officers would raise this with the provider.

54.7   The Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing stated that Kendal Court was self-contained accommodation. People with complex needs often found it easier to be housed somewhere where they did not need to share facilities. In some cases the outcome could be worse in other types of accommodation.

54.8   Councillor Barnett referred to page 77 of the agenda which stated that a very frail elderly gentleman had been in Kendal Court for over two years with no support services. Councillor Barnett asked how often visits were made at the premises by social workers and health visitors. She asked if a committee site visit to Kendal Court could be arranged. The Head of Housing Needs stated that there was a gap in the provision of social workers and there were discussions taking place about this issue with East Sussex County Council. The Head of Housing Needs was happy to facilitate a site visit for members; however there was a need to be mindful that the site was occupied.

54.9   The Chair stated that the site visit could be arranged and dates circulated.

54.10  Councillor Cattell raised concern that if a person who had been experiencing domestic violence was moved to Kendal Court they would move out of the jurisdiction of RISE and would have to come under CGL which could be problematic. Councillor Cattell queried whether in the commissioning of those services if there was any way a women temporarily residing at Kendal Court could still access RISE services. If there was a social worker involved could that be explored? The Head of Housing Needs stated that some services could still be accessed. People would come back to the city to access them. With regard to domestic violence there were many people in the city who were fleeing violence from people living in the city so placing them outside of the city could give them some respite.  Officers could look at how these cases might be managed better but people who were only placed outside of the city for a short period would generally retain support services.     

54.11  The Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing informed members that officers were starting the work to re-tender the domestic and sexual violence work and were tendering it with East Sussex County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Officers could also carry out work with West Sussex County Council. 

54.12  RESOLVED:-

(1)            That the contents of the report be noted.