Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting. The meeting can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/0MMPhsRhPqY

Contact: Kerry Nicholls 020 7 332 1262  Email: kerry.nicholls@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Alderman Bronek Masojada and also from Henrika Priest for lateness. 

 

The Chairman opened the first virtual meeting of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee by thanking officers for their hard work during the lockdown.  Their commitment had ensured that the City’s street residents were not only accommodated but had been provided with the services they required and a pathway off of the streets. 

 

Members noted that Chief Inspector Jesse Wynne had been promoted to the Control Room and his colleagues, Chief Inspector Chris Hay and Chief Inspector Ray Marskell, would be the Sub Committee’s City of London Police representatives at future meetings.   The Chairman and Members thanked Chief Inspector Wynne for his contribution to the work of the Sub Committee.

 ...  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 166 KB

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 25 February 2020.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 25th February 2020 be approved, subject to a correction in that Parkguard was not accredited under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme within the City of London.  Members noted that Parkguard held this accreditation in other areas which gave it a range of delegated powers under the Police Reform Act 2002.  

 

Matters arising

The Chairman was pleased to advise that the capital bid had been approved at the March Court of Common Council.

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

4.

OUTSTANDING ACTIONS pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Minutes:

Members received the Sub Committee’s outstanding actions list and noted the

following updates:

 

·         A government official would be invited to speak at the meeting of the Sub Committee on 1st October 2020 in respect of individuals without recourse to public funds.

 

·         In respect of a proposal to publicise photographs of individuals who had received Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), Members were assured that CBOs were a last resort, applied in response to persistent criminal behaviour.   However, Members were concerned that this action might capture vulnerable people who were being exploited.  A report outlining protocols on this matter would be provided to the Safer City Partnership, Police Authority Board and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee before any further action was taken in respect of publishing photographs. 

 

·         The Rough Sleeping Outreach Service Update report, which would be presented to the 24 July 2020 meeting of Community and Children’s Services Committee, would also be circulated to those Members of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee who are not also Members of the Community and Children’s Services Committee.   [it was clarified following the meeting that the Stage 2 report for the Rough Sleeping Service would not be presented to the Community and Children’s Services Committee; however, the report would be circulated to the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee when available].

 

·         The City of London Police update provided at item 8 today would be provided with the minutes to this meeting. 

 

·         A report on the Community Trigger process would be presented to a future meeting of the Sub Committee.    The Head of Community Safety also agreed to compile the engagement undertaken with the ‘101’ Service in respect of a case reported earlier in the year.

 

·         All future press releases regarding homeless accommodation arrangements would be circulated to Committee Members.  Members

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

5.

HOMELESSNESS AND ROUGH SLEEPERS RECOVERY PLAN pdf icon PDF 115 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 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Recovery Plan.

 

During the discussion and questions, the following points were noted:

 

·         Officers gave an assurance that the recovery plan would include working with the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) and partners in mapping individuals’ requirements, to ensure that accommodation pathways were in place well ahead of 31st March 2021. 

 

·         Members felt that this work was a ‘watershed’ in assisting homeless clients and the Assistant Director welcomed the ongoing support of the Sub Committee in driving the strategy.   The Chairman felt that it had provided an excellent opportunity to gain as much intelligence as possible, which would enable Officers and Members to examine previous barriers and refusals to accept assistance.  

 

·         Action taken during lockdown had resulted in some very long-term rough sleepers accepting offers of accommodation.  This had built trust and enabled them to have access to benefits, health checks, drug rehabilitation and other key services.    However, it was essential to keep the momentum as there were ups and downs on these pathways.    

 

·         Support needs should extend beyond drug, alcohol and mental health rehabilitation and assist those with either a history of unsuccessful tenancies or living independently for the first time.    Officers confirmed that work in this area was well-placed following the funding agreed by the Court of Common Council.   Discussions were underway with neighbouring authorities to build on learning and to make new measures sustainable.

 

·         In respect of providing facilities to the relatively low number of clients remaining on the street, Members were reminded that this would need careful management from a public health perspective and strict guidance was in place. Members noted that 7-8 outreach worker shifts operated every week and Streetlink was still the first point of

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

6.

ROUGH SLEEPING COVID-19 SUMMARY REPORT pdf icon PDF 243 KB

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

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

Minutes:

Members received the Rough Sleeping COVID-19 Summary Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.  Members noted that the ‘Doctors of the World’ pilot had expired but multi-agency work was ongoing and it was hoped to resume the ‘Doctors of the World’ service.    

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

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

7.

OUTREACH COMMISSIONING UPDATE

The Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard.

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

Minutes:

The Director of Community and Children’s Services provided an update on Outreach Commissioning. Members noted that this contract had not been awarded as planned in April 2020, as the resources of City services and potential providers had been fully engaged in responding to the COVID-19 Crisis.  The process had since resumed and would be the subject of a report to the Procurement Sub Committee, seeking a delegated authority for a Stage 2 report which would be scrutinised at the Community and Children’s Services Committee on 24 July 2020 in anticipation of a contract award in August 2020.   The Chairman asked if those Members on the Sub Committee, who are not Members of the Community and Children’s Services Committee, could be sighted on the report.   

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

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

8.

OUTREACH COMMISSIONING UPDATE

Commissioner of the City of London Police to be heard.

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

Minutes:

During the Inspector’s update, the following points were noted:

 

  • Anti-social behaviour (ASB) had reduced considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic but was still being monitored.

 

·         Government funding had been extended to the end of the calendar year in order to provide a dedicated PC and PCSO to work with the City of London Corporation’s officers on rough sleeping, anti-social behaviour and begging.

 

·         An action plan had been requested by the Chairman of the Safer City Partnership in respect of shared recording and information systems between the City of London Corporation and the City of London Police. 

 

·         A summary of the new structure for Community Policing was being designed under the force’s Transform change programme and this included a focus on crime prevention and addressing local issues.

 

·         Operation Luscombe had been suspended due to reduced staffing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but would re-start in due course.

 

·         The Inspector had attended the Rough Sleepers Strategy Group meeting earlier today, led by the City of London Corporation.  The work done in response to the ‘Everyone in’ announcement by the Government was very impressive and the government’s commitment to extend the scheme beyond next month had been well received.

 

RESOLVED, that – the update be noted.

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

9.

THE CITY OF LONDON COMMUNITY TRIGGER RECOMMENDATIONS JANUARY 2020: UPDATE ON ACTION PLAN REPORT pdf icon PDF 269 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Town Clerk, which updated Members on the progress in adopting and implementing recommendations developed during the January 2020 Community Trigger Review.

 

During the discussion on this item, the following points were noted:

 

·         The ‘101’ service was commissioned nationally and, whilst there had been some historic problems with the service, this had improved.  Members were asked to contact the Head of Community Service if they became aware of any further issues.    There was a concern expressed in that the public might perceive failings within the 101 service to fall within the remit of the City Corporation or other boroughs.   The officer agreed to compile the engagement undertaken on this matter and provide Members with more detail.   

 

·         Whilst there was not a suite of policies in place, Community MARACs brought all partners together.  This was often the first opportunity to share information and engage in a frank discussion about an appropriate course of action, on a case by case basis.  It was noted that Community Behaviour Orders were a last report; they were often framed as a supporting step and enforcement action did not always follow.  Members asked the Community Protection Team to prepare a report on this matter, focusing on the mental health support aspects. 

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

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

10.

QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Minutes:

In response to two questions, the following points were noted:

 

1.    Both lodges were running well and providing advice to residents on compliance with government guidelines.   As the accommodation had no self-contained bathrooms, the services were treated as households under COVID-19 lockdown arrangements. 

 

2.    In respect of the consequences on vulnerable communities’ post lockdown, officers were tracking data sets to identify pressure points; i.e. increases in housing benefit claims or approaches for advice on housing.   Members noted that some industries, which might provide a first step back into employment for homeless clients, might be seriously affected.

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

11.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT

Minutes:

The Town Clerk advised members that this was the last meeting of the Sub Committee for the current Municipal Year, with the Annual Meeting of the Court taking place in July and not April 2020.   The Town Clerk would be writing to all Members shortly in respect of the annual appointments to Sub Committees.  Members were reminded that the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee appointed from the wider Court, as well as from the Community and Children’s Services Committee. 

 

In concluding the public part of the agenda, the Chairman made the following tributes:

 

1.    David MackIntosh, the Head of Community Safety, would be leaving the City Corporation after 19 years’ service.  David had provided a key role in providing support for drug rehabilitation as well as in the service area of Community Safety.  

 

2.    Since its inception in 2018, the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee’s work had been ground-breaking, driven by the dedication of its Members and Officers.    The Chairman has recently met a former long-term rough sleeper, who was now in much better health and in accommodation.  This outcome evidenced how the work of the Sub Committee had been life changing for some extremely vulnerable people. 

 

3.    In turn, Members commended the Chairman for her dedication to the work of the Sub Committee.

 ...  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 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.

 

Item no                                  Para no

13                                            3

14                                            -

15                                            1,2 & 3

16                                            1&2

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

13.

NON -PUBLIC MINUTES

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2020.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 25th February 2020 be approved.

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

14.

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

Minutes:

There were no questions

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

15.

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

Minutes:

Two matters were raised while the public were excluded.

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

16.

CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2020.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 25th February 2020 be approved.

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