Agenda item - Public Involvement

12.1 To consider the following items raised by members of the public: (a) Petitions: To receive any petitions presented by members of the public to the full Council or to the meeting itself; (b) Written Questions: To receive any questions submitted by the due date of 10am on the 04 September 2025; (c) Deputations: To receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 10am on the 04 September  2025.

12.1 Tenancy Policy – Lee Catt

Why is there not a vulnerability policy and/or strategy and a reasonable adjustment policy being used in line with the Spotlight report on attitude, respect, rights, and the vulnerability within social housing. If there is one, where is it, when was it published, why is it not easy to access, and why is it not being used in all cases?

Cllr O’Quinn gave the following answer: Thank you for your question. Having engaged with officers from housing I have received the following response:

We recognise the importance of ensuring that our housing services are inclusive, respectful, and responsive to the needs of residents, particularly those who are vulnerable. While there is currently no standalone Vulnerability Policy or Reasonable Adjustment Policy in place, I can confirm that work is actively underway to address this, as part of a wider programme of policy development, which has so far included a new Anti-Social Behaviour Policy and Hate Incident Policy.

The Vulnerability Policy will set out our approach to adapting service provision to meet the individual needs of residents. It will be informed by equalities data and lived experience, and will reflect our commitment to:

•         Recognising the unique experiences of each individual, and tailoring support accordingly.

•         Collaborating across departments and with external agencies, including social services, health, education, and the voluntary sector.

•         Using evidence-based approaches to guide decisions and interventions.

We are aiming to begin consultation with council tenants, leaseholders, residents in temporary accommodation and those accessing our Homelessness and Housing Options service early in the new year, to ensure the policy is co-produced and reflects the voices of those it is designed to support.

Mr Catt asked the following supplementary question: Will this include staff members of Brighton & Hove City Council who will also be approached and trained in respect of ASB victims? Because a lot of the policies are effective but it’s the officers and individuals that are not upholding the policies and correct procedures.

Cllr O’Quinn responded that she would provide him with a written answer. The following was provided as a written answer:

Thank you for your follow-up question regarding the training of Brighton & Hove City Council staff in relation to supporting victims of ASB.

Our approach to ASB includes training for staff across relevant teams to ensure they are equipped not only with the tools and powers available to address ASB, but also with the understanding and sensitivity required to support victims effectively. We recognise that policies alone are not enough, how staff apply them in practice is critical.

To that end, we have a comprehensive training programme in place which includes:

•         Specialist legal and procedural training for ASB casework.

•         Regular sessions reviewing Independent Housing Ombudsman findings to improve compliance and accountability.

•         Trauma-informed practice training to help staff understand the impact of ASB on victims and respond with compassion.

•         Reflective practice sessions facilitated by trained staff to support emotional resilience and learning from complex cases.

We also provide individual support and coaching where staff are identified as needing further development to meet expected standards. Accountability is maintained through case audits, supervision, and performance management processes.

Our commitment is to continuous improvement, and we are actively working to strengthen internal relationships and multi-agency collaboration to ensure that our response to ASB is both robust and empathetic.

12.2 Cllr Mcleay asked a question regarding public engagement in the Task & Finish Group on antisocial behaviour in social housing and if it could be confirmed that Mr Catt would be invited to participate as a witness. Cllr O’Quinn confirmed that the Task & Finish Group would be undertaking public engagement and that discussions had taken place with Mr Catt about him participating in that.