Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Alderman Bronek Masojada, Natasha Lloyd-Owen, David MacKintosh, William Pimlott, Henrika Priest, Jason Pritchard and Ruby Sayed. 

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 1^st July 2019

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes of the meeting held on 1^st July 2019 be approved.

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

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

·       Members noted that the breakfast briefing would take place in January 2020; to be discussed further under items 5 and 13 on today’s agenda. 

·       The Police would provide an update on Operation Luscombe under ‘Items of Urgent Business’, at agenda item 11.

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

Members are asked to note a non-public appendix to this report at Agenda Item 13.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which summarised the key findings and recommendations from the ‘New Interventions and Approaches for Rough Sleepers’ report commissioned from Homeless Link in March 2019.  Members noted that, as the detail behind the proposals would stray into areas of commercial sensitivity, as defined by Paragraph 3 of the 1972 Local Government Act, then the presentation and discussion would be held in Part 2 of today’s agenda.   Subsequent to the presentation and discussion, the meeting returned to the public agenda and the Chairman summarised as follows:

•           Members had asked if blockages on pathways could be identified and for measurable outcomes; explaining how lives were being improved etc, to be included for those proposals that would be taken forward.

•           Members would receive a further, more detailed report at the next meeting of the Sub Committee, incorporating comments from Members, for approval by the Grand Committee on 13th December.  An all Member Breakfast Briefing would follow in January 2020.

In concluding, the Chairman and Members commended an excellent piece of work and thanked the City Corporation Homelessness officers and Homeless Link.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted. 

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services, which provided an update on the commissioning of a new Rough Sleeping Outreach Service for the City; which would be informed by items 5 and 13 on today’s agenda.  During the discussion and questions, the following points were noted:

The process and final specification has been shaped by a market engagement exercise with potential providers.. The selection process for the successful provider will include Member representation; officers will invite the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Sub Committee to take part in the process and have early sight of the specification.

Commissioning for Winter provision is also underway; however, in the first round there had only been one unsuccessful bid. Officers have revised the specification, undertaken further engagement with providers and have gone back to the market in order to provide a new service commencing in November.    The Outreach approach sought should deliver  multi-skilled team able to offer targeted focus and responses to the most  entrenched rough sleepers. 

RESOLVED, that – the proposed commissioning activities and timelines to implement a new Rough Sleeping Outreach Service for the City be noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which provided an update on the level and nature of homelessness and rough sleeping activity within the City of London, in addition to the first quarter of 2019/20.  A summary report for Parkguard was also available at Appendices 3 and 4 to the report and the report included a spacial map, showing the proportion of long term clients.

In response to a question about Ex-Service Personnel, Members noted that numbers in the City were relatively low, at just 6-8%, and there were a number of well-funded charities available to support them.   Members also asked if they could see an explanation behind the statistics showing a fall in rough sleeping numbers; i.e. - whether the client had been offered a housing pathway.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

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

 Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which updated Members on the recent actions and progress made towards improved health provision for those sleeping rough.  Members noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board had met the previous day and received the NHS’s Long Term Plan, which featured the health needs of rough sleeping clients, including those with complex needs.

A project using peer workers to help rough sleepers access health care is in place, and additional mental health services are planned. Officers are also considering a proposal for a mobile health clinic delivered by the organisation ‘Doctors of the World’. Officers advised that if supported this would be a temporary project that would help  evidence if there was a longer  need that health commissioners could address.

Members noted that the specification in respect of drug and alcohol services, which is currently out to tender, seeks better provision for those who are sleeping rough.  

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted. 

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which provided an update on the ‘Alternative Giving’ Campaign, which  launched on 12th  August 2019, and noted the following:

•           The Chairman commended officers for their hard work during the campaign and Members noted that the social media campaign was ongoing.    The Communications Officer would provide ‘tweet cards’ on request and advised Members to use ‘#tap for change’.  

•           Given that the Campaign was launched in August, Members agreed that it was important to keep up the messaging.  Officers advised that posters were due to go into Bank Station and, possibly, on the electronic message boards at Liverpool Street Station.  As more businesses participated, this would further strengthen the campaign.  The City Corporation was not the lead co-ordinator and Cannon Street Station was running its own campaign.

•           Members were asked to advise the Chairman of any locations within their wards that might work and suggested the Tower of London and the Old Bailey. Reverend Paul Kennedy offered the Church of St. Mary Aldermary, Watling Lane.    Hampstead Heath and the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre had requested machines. 

•           The amounts collected so far at the various locations totalled £491. The machines were mobile, so those collecting fewer amounts could be moved.  The machine in the North Wing would be relocated to the West Wing, during Guildhall events, when guests arrived at the West Wing reception.  Members were reminded that donations could also be made directly on line, as set out in the various posters and publicity material.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

There were no questions.

The Chairman asked the City of London Police Officer to provide an update on Operation Luscombe as follows:

•           The operation had successfully removed two prolific offenders, working in partnership with the British Transport Police and, more generally, the number of beggars was falling.  Officers were working with the Intelligence Bureau on a complete review of Luscombe.  This would be presented to all forces next week, in order to receive feedback and develop further.

•           A strategy was under discussion in respect of displaying photographs of those with Criminal Behaviour Orders in public places.  Whilst this had been successful in some areas,  Members noted the need to balance the public interest with data protection and the relevant local authority would need to agree.  Officers advised that this would be considered by the Police Authority Board.  The Police continued to need community backed statements from Members, wherever possible. 

•           The British Transport Police Officer confirmed their good working relationship with the Police; night duty patrols were increasing and included outreach workers.   The Arcade at Liverpool street was being closed between 11.30 pm and 6.30 am and security staff were taking names, when possible, to refer to Street Link.

The Chairman reported a successful meeting between officers, Ward Members and Castle Baynard Residents.  The meeting had given residents an opportunity to understand the issues and there had been no further complaints.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

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

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                                      Paragraph no

13                                              3

To be read in conjunction with Agenda Item 5.

Members received a non-public appendix in respect of agenda item 5 and received a presentation from the consultants (Homeless Link) who had undertaken the Options Appraisal.

There were no questions.

There were no items.