Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from the Deputy Chair, Natash-Lloyd Owen and Deputy Shravan Joshi and Ruby Sayed.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 10^th June 2024.

RESOLVED – That, Members agree the public and non-public summary of the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th June 2024.

MATTERS ARISING:

• The chair welcomed the external members designate, Patrick Fowler and James Breed who joined as observers on this occasion.

The Commissioner of the City of London Police to be heard.

(Report awaited).

The Sub-Committee heard the Commissioner of the City of London Police.

The following points were noted:

• Members noted there is a three-stage method to address begging and assess the vulnerability of rough sleepers in the City of London. It includes a support and intervention hub held fortnightly at St Botolph's Church, attended by various organisations.
• It was noted this approach uses a traffic light scheme for issuing tickets to those found begging:
  • Green ticket: Warning not to beg within the city for 12 months.
  • Amber ticket: Issued if caught begging again.
  • Red ticket: Further offenses can lead to a criminal behaviour order (CBO).
• Since April 1, 2024, there have been 13 green tickets, 3 amber tickets, and 1 red ticket issued.
• One CBO has been obtained, resulting in a five-year order with specific requirements around behaviour and begging.
• Hub attendance has been lower recently, with most attendees being frequent users who come for food and hot drinks.
• Invitations to the hub are extended to those found rough sleeping, aiming to provide support.
• The hub is essential for the Luscombe model, ensuring a welfare-based approach with support before enforcement.
• Proactive operation Luscombe days are conducted when the hub is open, referring those begging or rough sleeping to the hub for immediate support.
• The City of London Police and Corporation work together to address issues related to rough sleeping, using the community MARAC to coordinate a welfare-based response while addressing any criminal or antisocial behaviour.
• Members were informed that Tickets are warning cards, not fines. Escalation can lead to a red card for enforcement and criminal behaviour orders.
• Members raised concerns about what is happening at the encampment in Castle Baynard st plus hotspots at 65 Fleet St and Gough Sq. Officers confirmed that they were in contact with

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

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services, concerning a summary of progress against the aims set out in the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-27.

The following points were noted:

• The strategy focuses on preventing homelessness, providing rapid rehousing, and ensuring that rough sleeping is rare, brief, and non-recurring. It aims to deliver tailored support to individuals based on their specific needs.
• Collaboration with various partners, including local authorities, health services, and voluntary organisations, is emphasised to provide comprehensive support to those experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping.
• The strategy outlines the importance of delivering high-quality services that are accessible and responsive to the needs of individuals. This includes outreach services, emergency accommodation, and long-term housing solutions.
• Regular monitoring and evaluation of the strategy's implementation are planned to ensure its effectiveness and to make necessary adjustments based on feedback and outcomes.
• The strategy acknowledges the need for adequate funding and resources to achieve its objectives. It highlights the importance of securing financial support from various sources, including government grants and charitable donations.
• Engaging with the community and raising awareness about homelessness and rough sleeping are considered crucial for the strategy's success. This includes involving local residents, businesses, and other stakeholders in efforts to address these issues.
• Officers explained that LSE (London School of Economics) has an entrepreneur program addressing socio-economic issues and offering practical solutions. They are collaborating on four challenges but haven't worked with academic staff yet.
• Members mentioned the issue of low housing stock in the city and the need for more information to feed into the housing strategy
• Officers agreed to provide more details on the focus of the work with LSE and proposed areas of enquiry and consider bringing a paper to expand on the points discussed.

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

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services, concerning an introduction to the Annual Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) report for rough sleeping in 2023–2024.

The following points were noted:

• Officers noted that rough sleeping has increased in the City of London as well as across Greater London. Officers drew Members attention the ‘returner’ cohort for whom there had been notable success during the last year with a steady reduction in accommodated individuals returning to rough sleeping in the Square Mile.
• The success of various support services, including emergency accommodation, mental health support, and substance misuse services was highlighted to Members. It was noted that these services played a crucial role in helping individuals transition from rough sleeping to more stable living conditions.
• Collaboration with partner organisations, such as Thames Reach and Turning Point, was emphasised as a key factor in the success of the rough sleeping strategy. Members were informed that these partnerships enabled a coordinated approach to addressing the needs of rough sleepers.
• However, despite the successes, Members acknowledged ongoing challenges, including the increasing complexity of cases and the need for more affordable housing options. Officers also noted the impact of external factors, such as economic conditions and changes in government policy, on the ability to address rough sleeping effectively.
• A question was raised about the significant increase in COL and the drivers behind it. Officers responded that it is not a unique situation and that the area is well-resourced with outreach teams working shifts every day and evening.
• Members noted the emphasis on the importance of support into long-term accommodation and the quality of work being done.
• Officers highlighted that those rough sleeping are not existing residents but coming from outside, and questioned what can be done as a deterrent.
• Officers pointed

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

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services, concerning an update on our planning and risk mitigation for the period after the current tranche of Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) funding expires on 31 March 2025.

The following points were noted:

• Officers noted the need to continue providing support services to individuals who have experienced rough sleeping. This included ongoing access to mental health services, substance misuse support, and housing assistance.
• Members were informed of the importance of securing long-term housing solutions for individuals transitioning from rough sleeping. This involves working with housing providers to increase the availability of affordable housing options.
• Officers highlighted that collaboration with partner organisations, such as local authorities, health services, and voluntary organisations, is crucial for the success of the initiative.
• Members were informed that regular monitoring and evaluation of the initiative's implementation are planned to ensure its effectiveness. This includes collecting data on outcomes and making necessary adjustments based on feedback and results.
• It was noted that engaging with the community and raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals who have experienced rough sleeping are considered essential for the initiative's success. This includes involving local residents, businesses, and other stakeholders in efforts to support these individuals.

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

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services, concerning a proposal for an independent review of the pathways offered by the City of London to rough sleepers encountered by its services.

The following points were noted:

• Officers highlighted the proposal emphasises the need for a comprehensive evaluation of existing rough sleeping services. This includes assessing the effectiveness of current programs and identifying areas for improvement.
• Members were informed the proposal outlines plans for collecting and analysing data on rough sleeping trends, service usage, and outcomes. This information will be used to inform future service planning and delivery.
• It was noted that the proposal stresses the need for adequate resources to support the delivery of rough sleeping services. This includes securing funding and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to meet the needs of service users.
• Members asked that residents associations be consulted as stakeholders.

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

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services, concerning proposal for a structured approach to help Members gain insights into and assurance about the delivery of frontline rough sleeping work.

The following points were noted:

• Officers noted the programme aims to provide assurance to Members regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of services provided to individuals experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping.
• Officers added that regular contract monitoring arrangements are in place to ensure they meet the needs of service users and are delivered effectively. This includes assessing the quality of services and identifying areas for improvement.
• A Member noted the need to improve the information provided to constituents about rough sleepers in the city asking for detailed case studies for members and constituents, reminding officers that this had been previously mentioned. Officers agreed to change the report format and consult members about the presentation of the information.
• Officers informed Members thatdates for walkabouts were being considered and Members would be informed when they will take place, officers added that they intended to schedule them evenly throughout the year, considering engagement levels.

There were no questions.

There was one item of business.

·        Officers informed Members that they intended to bring a report to the Community & Children’s Services Committee setting out the direction of travel regarding tents and encampments and how the Corporation might respond. Officers noted the absence and need of an approved policy position and protocol setting out the circumstances for conditionality for the use of powers, if that is supported. Officers stressed that it is important for people to understand the ongoing commitment to a welfare-first approach to support homeless people, but recognise there can be detrimental impacts for the wider community where support is not taken up and where there may be issues of anti-social behaviour.

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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 10^th June 2024.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2024 be approved.

The Commissioner of the City of London Police to be heard.

(Report awaited).

The Sub-Committee heard the City of London Commissioner.

Non-Public Appendix 3 - Case studies 1 and 2.

The Sub-Committee received the non-public appendices concerning item 6 of the agenda.

There were no non-public questions.

There was no other business.

Joint report of the City Surveyor and Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a joint report of the City Surveyor & Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services.