Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room - 2nd Floor West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Julie Mayer 020 7 332 1410  Email: julie.mayer@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Ben Murphy, Henrika Priest and Ruby Sayed

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

MEMBERS DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 85 KB

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 4TH October 2019.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 4th October 2019 be approved.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

OUTSTANDING ACTIONS pdf icon PDF 46 KB

Members are asked to note the Sub Committee’s Outstanding Actions list.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

Members received the Sub Committee’s Outstanding Actions list and noted those items which had either been, or would be, discharged on this and future agendas.

 

In respect of the visits to the Lodge, Dellow and Anchor House in the New Year, at dates to be confirmed, the Chairman stressed that once  Members had made a commitment to attend, it was very important to do so, given the arrangements required. 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) - One Year On pdf icon PDF 109 KB

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the impact of the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act in 2017 on the City of London Corporation’s homeless services.

 

There was some discussion about the importance of assisting homeless clients as soon as possible, as this was likely to reduce the costs of providing for more complex requirements in the longer term and be of most benefit to the client.  Offices advised that, whilst some expectations had risen, the options available to clients had not increased.  Members noted that more onus had been placed on housing applicants but they remained concerned about the lack of housing provision generally. 

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Rough Sleeping Pathway Impact pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services. 

Please note this report has a non-public appendix at agenda item 15.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which outlined the successes and challenges arising within the City of London Accommodation Pathway for Rough Sleepers. 

 

During the discussion, the following points were noted:

 

           In respect of the support needs data in the report; i.e. – 48% with single (high) support needs and 43% multiple support needs, with just 6 beds available,   Members noted the Options Appraisal Report in today’s non-public agenda which sought to address this. 

 

           The challenges in that some partners had different recording systems, with some less detailed than others.  As the City Corporation was not the prime commissioner in these projects, they could not enforce a uniform standard.  However, given that other Local Authorities were likely to be experiencing similar issues, officers agreed to raise this with the relevant commissioning leads.  In the interim, the Assistant Director offered to produce some qualitative work in terms of the City Corporation’s cohort. 

 

           In respect of EU Nationals, Anchor House provided 2 support beds whilst a client’s status was being identified.  Guildford Street had an average stay of 3 months but a positive move-on might take a little longer.  Members noted two case studies in the non-public part of the agenda, with positive outcomes and, and, in the past quarter, there had been 4 placements into independent accommodation. The Chairman and Members commended the Team for their hard work and tenacity, despite the challenges set out above. 

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Rough Sleeping Performance Report - Quarter 2 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which updated Members on the level and nature of homelessness and rough sleeping activity.  The report also provided a summary of Parkguard data.  Members noted that the total number of rough sleepers in the City had dropped for the first time in 9 months to 174 in Q1 and increased marginally to 181 in Q2 – 2019/20; slightly above that reported in the same quarter in 2018/19.

 

There was some discussion on the City Corporation’s position on EU Nationals. Members noted that St Mungo’s had a clear position on their website and the City Corporation carefully checked all casework for compliance.  If there were any changes from a national perspective, following the General Election on 12 December 2019, then the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee would be engaged in further discussions.

 

In respect of the £25,000 for Parkguard, Members noted that their presence provided extra safety for the Outreach Team, particularly for female only patrols, and in the secluded and less well-lit areas.    The Chairman advised that she regularly accompanied both Parkguard and the Police on their patrols.   The regular Parkguard officer had a very good relationship with the homeless population, who generally viewed the presence of uniformed officers as helpful, rather than intimidatory, although a Member observed that some rough sleepers were reluctant to interact with the Outreach Team when they were accompanied by Parkguard officers, which she considered could be limiting the opportunity for engagement.   The Chairman stressed that officers were very clear as to why they were collecting the information, which was fully GDPR compliant.  Members noted that mental health triage nurses patrolled with the Police 3pm – 2am, 7 days a week, and the Police hoped to increase this to a 24/7 service.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Rough Sleeping Budget 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

Members received the 2019/20 annual revenue budget for rough sleeping and identified the income streams and costs related to the service.  Members noted that the outturn forecast of  approximately £31,000 overspent, which was smaller than expected, would be absorbed within the overall Homelessness local risk budget. 

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted. 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

OPERATION LUSCOMBE REVIEW pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the Commissioner, City of London Police.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

 Members received a report of the Commissioner, City of London Police, in respect of Operational Luscombe, a partnership approach to the issue of begging in the City of London, which has been running since May 2018, and was developed by the Community Policing Team.  Members noted that a review was commissioned earlier in the year and this report set out its findings, particularly the headline of a decrease of just under  50% for reports of begging since its inception.  Whilst some members of the public still gave change, there was evidence that the alternative giving message had been effective. 

 

Members were very pleased to note that Luscombe was due to be rolled out to 12 other forces and had been recognised as a National Standard, developed by the City of London Police.  Furthermore, schemes were emerging to ensure its longevity and funding plans were emerging.  Members noted that the CoLP met the cost of the hub, with partners meeting their own costs.  The officer advised that a dedicated Senior Community Policing team had been engaged and they were in discussion with the relevant agencies.  There was also a human trafficking and modern slavery lead within the City Police.

 

The officer advised that green tickets were issued as close to hub meetings as possible, given that many beggars led chaotic lives and were more likely to attend at short notice.  There were currently enhanced patrols in Cheapside, given the extra seasonal activity, in addition to the transport hubs and during the peak hours of the night-time economy. 

 

Members asked if the British Transport Police could provide an update on their engagement and strategy.  The CoLP officers advised that they met weekly with the Commander of the BTP at Liverpool Street for updates on tickets issued, to ensure there was no duplication.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE SUB COMMITTEE

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT

Minutes:

Members discussed the following items:

 

           The ‘Doctors of the World’ Mobile Clinic pilot had commenced yesterday at St Paul’s.  Members noted that this was a joint commission with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), funded by the CCG, and data would be generated regularly.  The positioning of the clinic would be based on feedback from outreach workers, whilst being mindful of safe parking.  Initially, funding would cover 1 operation a week, for a 6 month pilot and was open to all, regardless of status.  The Chairman and Members thanked officers for this innovation, which sought to improve the health and wellbeing of homeless clients and build the trust needed to encourage them to come off the  streets.

 

           The Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP) had been activated on Friday, 29th November and subsequently extended to 3rd December.  Members noted that this had been the first SWEP activation this year with 30-40 offers recorded but only 1 accessed.

 

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

MOTION – that, under Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – under Section 100A (4) of the  Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 (Schedule 12A) of the Local Government Act.

 

Item nos                                  para no

13-14                                       1                                             

15                                            3

17                                            2

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

NON PUBLIC MINUTES

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4th October 2019.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4th October 2019 be approved.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

ROUGH SLEEPING OPTIONS APPRAISAL - NEW INTERVENTIONS PROPOSAL

Report of the Director of Community and Children's Services.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Rough Sleeping Pathway Impact

Members are asked to note an appendix in respect of agenda item 6.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

Members received a non-public appendix in respect of agenda item 6.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE SUB COMMITTEE WHILE THE PUBLIC ARE EXCLUDED

Minutes:

Two urgent items of business were discussed whilst the public were excluded.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT WHILST THE PUBLIC ARE EXCLUDED

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.