Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Councillor Allen.

At this point Members must declare whether they have an interest, whether personal or prejudicial, in any of the items on the agenda. Members must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2009 were approved as a correct record.

It was agreed that item 7 on the agenda, the Update on the Proposed Closure of Southview – Supporting People, would be considered next.

To consider progress on the implementation of the Homelessness Strategy.

The Panel received a report which provided an update on the progress of the Homelessness Strategy 2008-2011 and associated outputs.

The Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities stated that “an applicant was statutorily homeless if they did not have accommodation that they had a legal right to occupy, which was accessible and physically available to them (and their household) and which it would be reasonable for them to continue to live in. It was not reasonable for someone to continue to live in their home, for example, if that was likely to lead to violence against them (or a member of their family)”.

Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 placed a duty on housing authorities to ensure that advice and information regarding homelessness and preventing homelessness, was available to everyone in their district free of charge. The legislation also required authorities to assist individuals and families who were homeless or threatened with homelessness and applied for help.

In 2002, the Government amended the homelessness legislation to ensure a more strategic approach to tackling and preventing homelessness, in particular, by requiring a homelessness strategy for every housing authority district.

The strategy was based on a review of all forms of homelessness in the district. It set out the local authorities’ plans for preventing homelessness and for securing that sufficient accommodation was, or would be, available for those who became homeless or were at risk of becoming so. All organisations, whose work could help to prevent homelessness, or meet the needs of homeless people in their district, were considered in the strategy. This joined up working had a massive impact on reducing those who would otherwise potentially experience the negative aspects of homelessness and the risks of becoming homeless. Through the implementation of the Homelessness Strategy, the aim was to reduce the number of people in the local authority area who were homeless or threatened with homelessness. A preventative approach was seen as the most effective way to achieve this and to ensure that there were the necessary support services available including access to free advice and assistance which was vital. The Tenancy Relations Service and work which had been undertaken in schools to educate people prior to their move to independent living had resulted in reductions of homeless acceptances.

The credit crunch saw a 72% increase in people seeking advice through Housing Options regarding mortgage arrears and a 59% increase in relationship breakdowns which increased the threat of homelessness.  Access to support and advice alleviated these issues, prevented actual homelessness and reduced pressure on housing waiting lists. Currently there were 9949 applicants on the Peterborough Common Housing Register.

Members were invited to comment on the report and the following issues were raised:

·        Members questioned why a father with children would be housed in a single bedroom property, as this would surely impact on the amount of access he had to his children.  Members were advised that a father would be housed depending on the level of access he had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider an update on the work of the new Houses in Multiple Occupation team.

The Panel received a report which detailed the recent work which had been undertaken by Private Sector Housing Officers in relation to the private rented sector.

Specific areas of work relating to the regulation and improvement of the private rented sector were highlighted to the Panel, these included:

·        Tenancy relations;

·        Empty homes;

·        Additional houses in multiple occupation licensing; and

·        Landlord accreditation scheme.

With regards to tenancy relations, in 2008, Supporting People had funded two temporary Tenancy Relations Officers for six months, during which time they had dealt with 100 enquiries and had prevented illegal evictions including those relating to repossessions and harassment. Several cases had also been progressed towards prosecution which ensured clear and consistent messages were given to landlords and letting agents about how they should let their properties in the city.

The introduction of Empty Home Grants in Peterborough over the recent years, along with the first use of new legislation and the launch of a private sector leasing scheme, had helped to bring a number of empty properties back into use. On 1 April 2008, Peterborough had 1923 empty properties, 858 of those were long term empty. Under the Empty Homes Strategy, 266 long term empty properties had been brought back into use since 2003. Also, following the introduction of the Private Sector Leasing Scheme in April 2007, there had been 34 privately owned empty properties brought up to a decent homes standard and made available to let through Housing Options as social housing. As it stood, there were a further 10 properties in the process of being prepared. Peterborough was also the first authority in the country to make full use of new powers granted by government under the Housing Act 2004 and made the first ever Final Empty Dwelling Management Order in July 2008. This resulted in a property that had stood empty for over 5 years to be renovated and a further 10 properties identified for Empty Dwelling Management Orders.

A House in multiple occupation (HMO) was a building occupied by three or more persons forming two or more households and sharing at least one basic amenity. Any HMO comprising or three or more storeys and occupied by five or more persons forming two or more households, was required to be mandatory licensed by the local authority. Currently, there were approximately 150 HMOs in Peterborough that required mandatory licensing under the Housing Act 2004. However, the city had far more smaller houses being used for multiple occupation which were not required to be mandatory licensed. So with this in mind, private sector housing had made an application to Communities and Local Government for an additional HMO licensing scheme in December 2008 to cover the smaller houses in multiple occupation. Approval for the scheme was received at the beginning of March 2009 and the HMOs covered in the designation were those comprising two or more storeys and occupied by three or more persons forming two or more households, and where at least one basic amenity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider and comment on the programme for 2009 Festival and Summer Arts Event.

The Panel received a report which provided an overview of the Peterborough Festival 2009. The festival would be focused around three weekends, with each weekend being held in a different location.

The Central Park weekend, which would be held on 20 and 21 June 2009, would provide a varied programme appealing to a wide audience, incorporating a diverse daytime programme and a first evening of popular music. The Sunday programme was to focus on an orchestral performance by the city of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. The programme would be provided free to the public, although an event at the Cathedral with the Orpheus Male Choir would be a paid event.

The City Centre weekend, which would be held on 27 and 28 June 2009, would see the first ever ‘Heritage Festival’ in the heart of the city to celebrate its history and heritage. It would be delivered in partnership with the Cathedral and would incorporate re-enactments, medieval markets and performances of Shakespeare in and around the city centre and precincts.

The Embankment weekend, which would be held on 4 and 5 July 2009, would see the ‘country come to town’. A town and country fair, including displays, entertainment, local produce, a steam rally, shire horses and more would be provided by Oakleigh Fairs. Alongside this would be the Peterborough Boat Festival.

In addition to the three weekends there would be a host of other events taking place, providing opportunities for emerging talent in the area. This aspect of the festival would be encouraged over the coming years. The festival would also be developed as a recognisable brand with a three year rolling planning cycle which would allow sustained development and ongoing partnership involvement.

Members offered their support and good wishes for the event and were advised that they would all receive invitations to the official launch of the festival. 

ACTION AGREED:

The Panel noted the report.

To consider and comment on the findings of the review of the proposed closure of the supporting people housing accommodation in Southview.

The Panel received a report which provided an update on the proposed closure of Southview.

At the meeting of the Community Development Scrutiny Panel, held in February 2009, the Supporting People Annual Plan had been presented for approval. During the discussion, Councillor Murphy and Councillor Benton had raised concerns regarding the withdrawal of Supporting People funding to 1-3 Southview, Woodston. The property was owned by Axiom Housing and Supporting People funding had been used to provide housing related support for residents at the premises with learning difficulties. It had therefore been agreed at the meeting of the Community Development Scrutiny Panel, that officers would meet with the Councillors to discuss a possible way forward.

Following this meeting with Councillor Murphy and Councillor Benton, which had been held on 2 March 2009, it had been further agreed that a paper would be taken to the next Supporting People Commissioning Body meeting to review the decision taken to withdraw funding from Southview. This meeting was due to be held on 11 May 2009. The Supporting People Commissioning Body comprised of three voting members from Peterborough City Council, the Primary Care Trust and Cambridgeshire Probation. The Body was the governing body for the Supporting People programme and was responsible for making decisions regarding Supporting People funding.

Councillor Murphy and Councillor Lee, the latter whom was present on behalf of Councillor Benton, were invited to the table to speak. Concern was expressed at the prospective closure of Southview. The residents were distressed at the possibility of being separated. They had all been residents at the facility for a long time and offered one another immense support. Southview had originally been viewed as a lesser option, because of the lack of amenities including ensuite bathrooms etc, however the residents did not want to move and unfortunately it appeared that no consideration had been shown regarding their thoughts and feelings. If they were moved they would lose not only their unity, but also their family. They would also be housed in individual flats which would surely cost more than housing them at Southview.

          Councillor Murphy highlighted to the Panel that a meeting had been held with the Operations Director and the Chief Executive from Axiom Housing, who were both present at the meeting of the Community Development Scrutiny Panel. In order for the residents to stay at Southview they had offered to change the property to fit in with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliance. Therefore possible funding was there to be had from Axiom Housing.

          Members were invited to comment on the report and the following issues were raised:

·        Members questioned how many residents there were at the facility and what the costs were to keep the facility open. Members were advised that Southview housed 10 residents and received a grant of £67,000 per annum.

·        Members further questioned the origin of the grant. Members were further advised that the grant was a government grant.

·        Members expressed concern at the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note and consider any Executive Decisions taken since the last meeting that are relevant to the remit of this Panel.

The Panel considered the following Executive Decision made since the last meeting:

·        The Cultural Strategy

There were no requests from the Panel for any further information to be provided.

ACTION AGREED:

The Panel noted the report.

To consider the latest version of the Forward Plan.

The latest version of the Forward Plan was presented to the Panel for consideration.

          The Panel requested that further information be provided on the closure of Lady Lodge Arts Centre.

The Panel further requested that a report on Fletton Cemetery be presented at its next meeting in July.

ACTION AGREED:

The Panel noted the Forward Plan.

To review the agenda plan for 2008-09.

The Panel received the latest version of the Agenda Plan for consideration.

ACTION AGREED:

The Panel noted the Agenda Plan.