Agenda and minutes

There were none.

There were no declarations.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

The Chair of the Community and Children’s Services Committee advised that she had nominated Eamonn Mullally as Chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee for 2023/2024. This nomination would be submitted to the Community and Children’s Services Committee for approval.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Chair of the Community and Children’s Services Committee advised that she had nominated Natasha Lloyd-Owen as Deputy Chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee for 2023/2024. This nomination would be submitted to the Community and Children’s Services Committee for approval.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 26 April 2023.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th April 2023 be approved subject to the following amendment:-

That Bullet Point 1 – Fifth Sentence of the City of London Police Update be amended to read, “The colour schemed ranged from Green - an invitation to the hub, to Red - stopping them from entering The City or a specified area within the City for a three-month period.”

Matters Arising

City of London Police Update

A Member asked for it to be clarified whether the red tickets issued were Community Protection Notices as these could lead to potential prosecutions. A representative from the City of London Police stated that they were Community Protection Notices and these stopped the person from entering the specified area for a specified time to encourage them to engage in the Luscombe intervention.

Streetlink

A Member asked if there was an update on whether the GLA had been written to seeking assurances about keeping the telephone service operational and whether the contract had been awarded. The Chairman stated that a letter had been drafted and she would be signing. An Officer stated that he had contacted the GLA to seek confirmation that they had awarded a contract and he understood that a contract had been awarded. He was waiting for confirmation that a representative from the new provider would attend a meeting of the Sub-Committee.

'Daniel' Safeguarding Adults Review

A Member sought assurances that lessons had been learned and embedded into future procedure to ensure patients at Maudsley Hospital were not transferred into external accommodation without support. An Officer stated that the City and Hackney Safeguarding Board were leading on communications with South London and Maudsley around the actions in the action plan.

Rough Sleeping on Trains and Buses at Night

A

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk setting out the Sub Committee’s outstanding actions list.

In relation to 5/22/HRS - Homelessness and Drugs, the Chairman stated that this was initially scheduled to be delivered in November 2022 but it had been delayed. An Officer stated that there was now a City of London specific Community Drugs Partnership and an Officer from the partnership could be invited to provide an update alongside police colleagues at the next Sub-Committee meeting. A Member requested that this take place in a substantive session outside of the Sub-Committee meeting and that this include representation from the Public Health Team. An Officer stated that Officers from the Public Health Team, and Turning Point, as the commission provider, would be invited to attend

In relation to 4/23/HRS – Streetlink, the Chairman stated this was an agenda item. Officers would give a presentation and Members could make preliminary points. The Chairman would then ask Members to give more detailed responses via email.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee:

1. Note the report; and

2. Request Officers to arrange a separate session for the Homelessness and Drugs update and colleagues from Public Health and the police be invited to attend.

The City of London Police to be heard.

Members received an update of the City of London Police and the following points were made:

·       220 incidents of begging were reported in the period of 31 March to 1 June with the Bishopsgate as the top location. More occurrences may have been reported on Bishopsgate due to the heavy number of footfall or the proximity of the Police Station, where officers were more likely to witness incidents.

·       Through Turning Point and the Intervention Hub, an individual had successfully ceased drug use and gained employment.

·       Operation Luscombe was successfully working and in operation throughout the country. Mindful of best practice and observing results of how other parts of the country ran their programmes, a review and update of the programme would take place.

A query was raised regarding the exploitation of beggars and the training of Police Officers in Modern Slavery awareness. It was noted that Police Officers were all trained on Modern Slavery. Members were informed that Officers hand out leaflets listing different services offered both in the hubs and on the streets. Safeguarding was a key concern and conversations regarding Modern Slavery and the options for help were encouraged to take place. Support and outreach for vulnerable people were at the forefront of Officers’ actions.

In response to a question, Members were informed that Community Protection Notices currently expired after three months. This length of time was to be reviewed. Members expressed their concern that an increase in length might lead to criminalisation and requested the City Police review this change with the Sub Committee before finalisation.

A Member requested that where an application for a criminal behaviour order was made, Members be informed of the date so they had an opportunity to observe the hearing from the public gallery.

A Member raised concern over begging and rough

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

The Sub Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services on the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023 to 2027.

Members were reminded that the Strategy had already been through a public consultation period which resulted in several positive comments about the Strategy’s aims and priorities. These priorities were developed in partnership focusing on co-production, including past experiences of former rough sleepers.

This update focused on how the Strategy would be delivered, setting out key actions to deliver the strategy and how the outcomes would be measured.

Members discussed the key challenges in differentiating homelessness and rough sleeping, and the different approaches each require.

A query was raised concerning an annual update of measure, and a suggestion of a progressive approach was made, so members could see the latest and most up to date positions.

Members requested that the Members meet in person with Officers to consider the strategy’s actions and aims.

RESOLVED- That the Sub Committee:

1)     That the Member would have an in-person session with Officers to further discuss the strategy.

2)     Delegate endorsement of any additional amendments to the Executive Director of Community & Children’s Services in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Sub Committee.

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

The Sub Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services which presented an update and review of the work of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Team.

Members were informed that the Team was always looking to increase the number of individuals who receive assistance and continuously sought new opportunities to increase outreach.

Members requested additional data to be provided alongside current data for comparison and directional growth and regression.

Members requested an Organisational Chart of the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Team.

RESOLVED- That the Sub Committee:

1)     Note the report.

2)     Be provided with an organisational chart of the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Team. 

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

The Sub Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services presenting an update on the Hot Weather Severe Weather Emergency Protocol.

The Sub Committee discussed the importance of updating the app and providing clear and accurate information on where individuals could access a water refill station. Members were informed that a leaflet was being produced listing refill stations to hand to individuals with refillable water bottles.

In response to a query, Members were informed that the Team were looking to increase the number of cool spaces in the City. The number of spaces would increase in line with the progression of the SWEP alert level.

RESOLVED- That the Sub Committee note this report.

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

The Sub Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services on the City of London Women’s Project which opened in April 2023.

The Chair expressed her gratitude to the Team for completing this project.

Members were informed that this was still a pilot project. Further and more complete data would be presented at the end of the year as statistics for demand and capacity were still under review.

In response to a query, Members were informed that the centre was for single women aged 18 and over. Women with dependants would be supported in accessing a more suitable accommodation.

It was noted that the centre included six ensuite studios with a small kitchen, and a larger communal kitchen space and area for the women to socialise. 

RESOLVED- That the Sub Committee note this report.

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

The Sub Committee receive a report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services with an Update of the Homeless Health Work Plan.

Members were informed of the new role of Homeless Health Coordinator. The role would help address health inequalities.

In response to a query, Members were informed that each priority area has its own dedicated set of activities and timelines to track progress of actions. The current main priority was primary care and improving access.

Members were assured that relationships were being developed with hospitals to ensure hospital discharges were coordinated.

It was noted that the Health Van had seen an increase in individuals accessing its services. Turning Point was working with peer workers to help with engagement.

RESOLVED – That the Sub Committee note the report. 

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

The Sub Committee received a verbal update of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services on the Assessment Centre in which structural damage was revealed during the construction. This would add length to the programme time by approximately three to four weeks resulting in a delayed opening. It was hoped to mobilise the service in January. Costs for this additional work were already accounted for with a cost of risk provision in the overall budget.

In response to a query about the remainder of the risk provision budget, Members were informed that the budget was still healthy, and all major risks should have now been revealed. The Chair thanked the team for their calm and active response to this development.

RESOLVED – That the Sub Committee note the update.

In response to a query, Members were informed that Equality, Diversity, and Inclusive data had recently been published and was currently being analysed. It was noted that further support would be explored for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Chair thanked everyone for their inputs.

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.

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There are no non-public minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2023.

There were none.

The City of London Police to be heard.

There was no Non-Public City of London Police update.

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

The Sub-Committee received a verbal update of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services.

RESOLVED – That the Sub Committee note the verbal update.

There were no non-public questions.

There was no other business.