Agenda item - Written questions from Councillors.

20.1         The Mayor reminded Council that written questions from Members and the replies from the appropriate Councillor were taken as read by reference to the list included in the addendum which had been circulated prior to the meeting as detailed below:

 

(1)       Councillor Theobald: Patcham Roundabout.

 

20.2         Would you please set out in writing all the responses that your predecessor Councillor Mitchell and you have given to me and to Councillor Wares to our formal questions about this roundabout at Full Council and at the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee in the last 5 years and would you also please make available to Councillor Wares and to me the plans and designs that we are told exist together with all the correspondence between the Council and Highways England on this issue over this period of time.

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.3         As you will be aware the roundabout falls outside of our highway authority boundary and is the responsibility of Highways England which has complicated this project. I can assure you that B&HCC has been pursuing this matter and have recently made significant progress with gaining the necessary approvals from Highways England in order that the work can take place later this year. I am aware that Officers have already sent Cllr Wares detailed plans and briefings of progress and will also ask them to contact you shortly and ensure that you receive all the relevant correspondence you have requested.

 

(2)       Councillor Theobald: Volk’s Electric Railway

 

20.4         Volk’s Electric Railway Association has drawn the Council’s attention to problems inside the workshop. Last winter highlighted the effect that lack of heating and ventilation has on the building and rolling stock. Salt-laden condensation is affecting the electrical system and even more concerning is the potential harm that the priceless Volk’s cars are exposed to.

 

They are literally dripping wet and this will, in the long term, give rise to deterioration in their structural condition.  Money spent now on a proper heating and ventilation system will be money well spent as it will enable volunteers in all weathers to carry out the vital restoration and repairs to the cars. Vera has been shortlisted for the Heritage Railway Awards 2020 in recognition of these volunteers.  Will the Chair please arrange for the Committee to include in its budget funding to resolve this matter.

 

Reply from Councillor Appich, Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee

 

20.5         The support by the volunteers of the Volk’s Electric Railway Association (VERA) to help operate the railway is much appreciated.

 

The issue of condensation and heating in the train sheds was raised with Volk’s Railway staff several months ago by volunteers. Since then, council officers have proposed a solution by way of using a forced ventilation unit which would raise the temperature of the air coming into the shed.  This system will provide a more comfortable working atmosphere as well as preventing condensation and the build-up of salt laden moisture from settling on the surfaces.

 

It is proposed to initially fit the pressurised system to the north shed only to establish whether this resolves the issues.  This space affords the best environment to work on the train and paint in the winter. The south shed, which is of a different design and features large external roller shutters, is more complex.  This will be addressed at a later date following the results of the work to the north shed. This solution was shared with the Chairman of VERA who also agreed this was a practical way forward.

 

A preliminary survey has been carried out to the north shed and a full specification and design is now required before quotes for the installation can be obtained.

 

A budget estimate has been calculated and funding from this year’s Volk’s Railway planned maintenance budget has been allocated for this work.

 

(3)       Councillor Deane

 

20.6         How many schools in Brighton and Hove teach Braille and British Sign Language?

 

Reply from Councillor Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee

 

How many schools in Brighton and Hove teach Braille?

 

20.7         BHISS provides citywide support for all children requiring Braille teaching. The service includes a peripatetic Visual Impairment Team.  This is a statutory and core Local Authority Service consisting of a team of specialist SEN teachers and a specialist SEN practitioner who teach Braille to children and young people that have a severe or profound visual impairment the UEB literary code (Unified English Braille), UEB technical Braille for maths, science and music, how to use specialist access technology such as JAWs screen readers and the necessary tactile learning skills to be able to interpret technical diagrams in lessons.

 

The Council provide a combination of 1:1 QTVI teaching and in class team teaching with the subject specialist teachers. The service provides regular bespoke specialist training for teaching and support staff across all Brighton & Hove educational settings where there is a Braillist attending. The BHISS visual impairment team follow the NATSIP eligibility framework guidelines (National Sensory Impairment Partnership) to provide equitable and transparent provision. For Brighton and Hove Braillists, the visual impairment team provides the RNIB recommended provision of 7 QTVI (Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired) hours per week plus one visit a week from a specialist SEN practitioner and one visit a week from a habilitation specialist who teaches mobility skills such as long cane work and orientation and Independent Living Skills (ILS) such as food preparation, pouring a drink, getting dressed etc. Visual impairment is a low incidence, high need disability and the service therefore provides citywide specialist support for all children requiring specialist training and teaching.

 

How many schools in Brighton and Hove teach British Sign Language?

 

20.8         BHISS provides British Sign Language (BSL) teaching in all Brighton & Hove City schools.

 

BHISS includes the Hearing Impairment Team (a statutory and core Local Authority Service) with a specialist SEN practitioner and a specialist SEN Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) that teach BSL. The service provides BSL training for teachers and support staff in all Brighton & Hove Schools where a child using BSL is placed. The service therefore provides citywide support for all children requiring BSL teaching. The Council also have the Support Facility for Hearing Impairment at Bevendean Primary School. The BHISS specialist practitioner and TOD provide BSL teaching for all staff required to undertake training and qualifications in BSL within the unit, and for teachers and support staff in the wider school.

 

(4)       Councillor Deane

 

20.9         How many schools in Brighton and Hove teach Cookery and/or Horticulture as part of the curriculum?

 

Reply from Councillor Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee

 

20.10      We do not hold specific information on cooking or horticulture in schools within the City.

 

However, what we can say is cookery and food education can be found within the national curriculum, so it would be reasonable to suppose that all children will do some cookery whilst at school.  Many schools also run cookery clubs however we have no record of exact numbers.

 

Horticulture is taught as a specific subject in one school. Many schools have gardens and horticulture can be popular in primary schools particularly with very young children. Some elements of horticulture can be found within the science curriculum.

 

(5)       Councillor Deane

 

20.11      Are there any plans to formally replace the felled Preston Twin or alternatively, plant a new set of Preston Twins for posterity and long-term future?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.12      There are currently no plans to replace the felled elm. The priority is to protect the remaining twin and planting another elm that is highly susceptible to elm disease next to it will be a possible source of infection in the future.         

 

(6)       Councillor Deane

 

20.13      Will the Administration consider planting an arboretum of memorial trees to those who have lost their lives due to Covid, and invite local residents who have lost loved ones to put their name to a tree in their memory?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.14      The Administration is happy to consider any suggestions for tree planting although to date discussions and the agreed new woodland at Carden Park are mixed woodland rather than an arboretum if a suitable site is put forward for an arboretum this would also be considered.  We appreciate the devastating impact Covid has had on many residents across our city, and we welcome any ideas around memorials that we can consider and engage with residents on.

 

(7)       Councillor Ebel: Missed Recycling Collections Sussex Court, Eaton Road:

 

20.15      Residents in my ward have seen a rise in missed recycling collections over the last few months. The residents in Sussex Court, Eaton Road are particularly affected by these missed collections. Their recycling is due to be collected every day according to the council’s website but in the last few months many weeks have gone by without a collection. Other bins in the area are being collected more regularly. This points to a problem particularly with collections in Sussex Court. Can the Chair of the ETS committee please commit to looking into the reason for the continuously missed collections and ensure that going forward recycling and rubbish are collected from Sussex Court as specified on the council’s website?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

         

20.16      Cityclean has investigated arrangements for Sussex Court and the information provided on the website is incorrect – I am sorry to the residents of Sussex Court for this. This will be updated in due course to reflect the correct collection frequencies. This will not be daily, but something to accurately reflect the number of residents in Sussex Court.

 

(8)       Councillor Ebel: EU Settled Status

 

20.17      Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, EU citizens were not able to access the scanners in the libraries and in Brighton Town Hall. Could you please tell me how many EU citizens in Brighton & Hove are estimated to have not yet applied for the EU Settled Status? When will the scanners be accessible again so that those who have not yet applied for EU Settled Status can apply before the deadline? How does the Council reach out to support EU citizens with their EU Settled Status applications in light of the impact of restrictions arising from the COVID 19 pandemic?

 

Reply from Councillor Yates, Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee

 

20.18      EU Settlement Scheme Quarterly Statistics May 2020 Update:

18,690 EU citizens from Brighton & Hove have now applied to the scheme. 3,720 EU citizens applied to the scheme in the 3 months between 1^st Jan 2020 and 31^st March 2020.

 

The new quarterly figures put the city closer to the ONS estimate and it is encouraging to see the large number of local applications.  In relation to Covid-19, at the beginning of April the Home Office announced that application processes for the EUSS will now be longer than usual owing to Public Health England guidance, however this is expected to change as capacity returns to pre-Covid levels for processing applications.  Some application routes have reopened in line with public health guidance. This includes theEU Settlement Resolution Centre and the postal route for submitting identity documents for applicants who are unable to use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify their identity. The deadline for applying for EU nationals resident in the UK before the end of the transition period remains 30^th June 2021.  Those entering the country from 1^st January 2021 will be subject to the new points-based immigration system.

A breakdown of the latest figures can be found below, which would leave an estimated figure of 310 EU nationals in the city still needing to apply to the scheme.  The next release of statistics is expected in August 2020.  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

Home Office EU Settlement Scheme Quarterly Statistics Brighton & Hove
	28th Aug 2018 – 30th Sep 2019 (Released 7th Nov 2019)	28th Aug 2018 – 31st Dec 2019 (Released 6th Feb 2020)	28th Aug 2018 – 31st March 2020 (Released 14th May 2020)
Applications to the scheme	9750	14970	18690
Granted Settled Status	4860	7550	9430
Granted Pre-Settled Status	3140	5960	7640
Given ‘other’ immigration outcome	70	120	220
Applications still in process	1680	1340	1410

 

 

Nationality
Austria	60	80	100
Belgium	90	120	150
Bulgaria	310	430	520
Croatia	30	30	60
Cyprus	50	100	140
Czech. Rep.	180	330	410
Denmark	60	90	110
Estonia	40	50	80
Finland	80	130	160
France	650	1020	1290
Germany	520	730	890
Greece	460	710	880
Hungary	530	810	980
Iceland	20	30	40
Ireland (Irish nationals not required  to apply but can if they wish)	20	30	40
Italy	1720	2680	3280
Latvia	180	270	320
Lichtenstein	0	0	0
Lithuania	310	430	530
Luxembourg	Between 1-9	10	20
Malta	20	30	30
Netherlands	220	300	380
Norway	50	80	110
Poland	1030	1540	1950
Portugal	510	780	930
Romania	600	900	1140
Slovakia	210	320	420
Slovenia	20	30	40
Spain	1190	1980	2480
Sweden	250	370	460
Switzerland	40	90	120
Non - EAA	320	480	650
Age Group
Under 18	660	1050	1320
18 to 54	8840	13550	16890
65+	240	360	480

During February/March 2020 the council had been developing plans with Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau to provide instructional sessions on EUSS applications with the inclusion of Migrant Help advice.

 

Planning for these sessions was paused due to social distancing measures and capacity needing to be redirected to the Covid-19 response.  The council is now restarting discussions with the CAB and Migrant Help around what shape any local support could take over the coming months as public health measures are eased.

 

The council has used a range of channels to reach EU citizens and publicise the EUSS and Brexit issues generally, including:

·      Features and interviews in local online, print and broadcast media – inc ITV Meridian, BBC SE TV, BBC radio Sussex, Heart FM, The Argus, Brighton & Hove Independent, Gscene, Kemp Town Rag, other community news letters, BHCC residents’ newsletter and Homing In

·      Digital screens at Jubilee library, Hove Town Hall main reception and Customer Service Centre

·      Distribution of information posters and leaflets at Brighton Register Office, BHCC buildings (inc unions’ message boards), community centres and some churches throughout the city

·      Letters to community groups, Citizens Advice bureau, Migrant Help Centre

·      Brighton & Hove Schools’ noticeboard

·      Internal staff communications through HR, Cityclean and corporate broadcast messages from chief executive

The council has continued to signpost to the EUSS application process during the Covid-19 pandemic on its website and to related local and national advice including the details of advice for local vulnerable EU nationals.

 

This information has also been targeted through the Covid Vulnerable People Cell and through services working to accommodate rough sleepers during the pandemic.

 

The council does not directly provide EUSS advice to EU nationals in the city but options are currently being explored to provide immigration advice to rough sleepers through a funding bid to MHCLG.

 

A refreshed internal/external communications plan is currently being developed to ensure awareness raising of the EUSS continues in the city until the deadline in 2021.

 

BHCC Workforce: The council have begun recording whether staff are EU nationals through its equalities monitoring which will help to inform corporate communications planning and requirements for EUSS advice and support going forwards.

Due to Government guidance released on 16^th March related to Covid-19 further drop-in sessions at Brighton Town Hall Register Office were suspended for the foreseeable future.  ID verification services have since been suspended across the UK.  A substitute service provided through Jubilee Library was investigated as a possible solution until the library too was forced to close. 

 

The reintroduction of this service is now being sought through other appropriate customer focussed council services with relevant fraud awareness training, although delays to this are anticipated depending on current social distancing measures and a backlog of customer requests, particularly for the Register Office.  The Brexit Member Working Group will maintain oversight of the introduction of this service and provide a further report to P&R on Brexit preparations.in October.

 

Migrant Help had been delivering drop in sessions and outreach advice in Brighton & Hove for vulnerable EEA migrants who need help to register under the EU Settlement Scheme.

 

Migrant Help adviser Charlotte Cheeseman continues to provide remote advice and application support across East Sussex & Surrey. The ID postal submissions service was suspended in March but has now been reinstated.  This had caused delays to applications.

Charlotte can be contacted directly if you have any questions regarding this service or know of someone who needs support at: charlotte.cheeseman@migranthelpuk.org

 

The Home Office announced in March that the funding for advice for vulnerable EU nationals would be continued with a new procurement process launched at the end of May.  Migrant Help have declined to apply for the continued funding so will cease local support at the end of September 2020.

The council expects a decision to be made on successful applications in the coming months.

 

I hope this addresses the issues raised in your question

 

(9)   Councillor Ebel: Leisure Centres

 

20.19      Leisure centres play a vital part in keeping residents in our city healthy and fit. Our swimming pools and gyms offer residents an affordable opportunity to participate in many different sports. The closure of one or more of our leisure centres would have a negative impact, especially on those on low income, as private alternatives are often not affordable enough. In a recent BBC article (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53323286) it was revealed that half of leisure centres could close. Could you please give an update on the situation in Brighton & Hove? What is being done to support our leisure centres through the COVID-19 crisis?

 

Reply from Councillor Appich, Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee

           

20.20      We agree that Leisure Centres play a vital role in providing affordable sports facilities for our City’s residents. As you have highlighted as with many other areas - the leisure industry has been severely hit by the Covid-19 crisis to create a significant financial pressure.

 

Throughout the lockdown period BHCC officers have been working closely with Freedom Leisure as the Operator to support with supplier relief and moving forwards discussions are ongoing regarding the reopening of facilities and to reach a financial agreement.

 

Facilities will need to open on a phased basis taking into account the cost of running the facilities along with all the additional measures that need to be put in place, including social distancing which will impact on capacity and the high levels of cleanliness and hygiene required. 

 

Withdean Sports Complex will be opening first on 27th July and Freedom Leisure are working hard to ensure that when they do open our centres provide a safe environment for customers in line with Government and Industry guidance.

 

(10)    Councillor Ebel

 

20.21      The Greater Brighton Economic Board recently released their COVID-19 Impact Assessment Report (https://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/documents/s155847/GBEB%20Covid%20Report%20HATCH%20005.pdf). In this report concerns were raised that the COVID-19 crisis will particularly affect young people (18-24-year-olds). The report states that there has been a dramatic reduction in apprenticeship positions with some apprentices losing their position just months before the completion of their training. What is the administration and the council doing to alleviate this situation? Are there any programs in place that help apprentices to find another company to complete their training, if their original company is closing down? Can the administration look into offering those who have lost their apprenticeship, and who are unable to find another company to finish their apprenticeship to complete their apprenticeship with Brighton & Hove City Council? How many and what type of apprenticeships is Brighton & Hove City Council currently offering (existing and advertised placements)? Is there a plan to increase this number in the future?

 

Reply from Councillor Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee

 

20.22      The council’s recovery programme includes an external focus on education and skills which will include apprenticeships. The city is still in the early stage of recovery and the full impact of Covid is still manifesting. The government recently announced its ‘plan for jobs’ strategy which includes the Kickstart Scheme.  The government are due to publish the detail mid-July and the council and partners will promote and utilise where appropriate the support available. As at May 2020, the youth unemployment rate continues to be lower for Brighton and Hove compared with the rest of the south-east at 6.1% (vs 7.6% for the south-east, with 9% being the national rate).

Support is available now to apprentices who are made redundant. Providers are able to access funding to continue training redundant apprentices in line with the funding rules. Training providers will use their network of employers to seek opportunities for redundant apprentices, however, many employers and providers have not returned to business as usual with staff furloughed staff. It is possible for an apprentice with less than 6 months left of their apprenticeship to take employment with another employer not related to their apprenticeship, and still be in a position to complete their apprenticeship.

In late July the Education Skills Funding Agency will be launching a support service for redundant apprentices that will:

·     provide apprentices with advice and guidance on the impact of redundancy

·     signpost apprentices to local and national support services

·     contain an apprenticeship vacancy sharing service to make redundant apprentices aware of new opportunities

The government has also recently announced an apprenticeship incentive scheme to encourage businesses to offer apprenticeships. The DWP and Youth Employability Service will also continue to signpost young people to apprenticeship opportunities.

The council will seek to respond to the support measures introduced by the government, as well as promote them internally and externally to organisations within the city, to enable displaced apprentices or apprenticeships at risk of redundancy to continue their apprenticeships. 

The apprenticeship team continues to promote apprenticeships across the council directorates. The council has 180 apprentices. The council are required to comply with public sector targets in relation to apprenticeship starts, currently set at 2.3% of workforce. For 2019/2020, 82 new and current staff started an apprenticeship. This equated to 1.07% of the workforce an increase from the previous year. 21 apprenticeships are in the pipeline to be recruited. The table below illustrates the number and range of apprenticeship opportunities within the council.

Breakdown of apprenticeship standards and frameworks across the directorates

 

(11)    Councillor Fishleigh

 

20.23      How much per household does it cost to empty and process the contents of our general waste, recycling and garden waste bins?

Please provide separate per household figures for each of the three services.

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.24      It costs £113 per household per year to empty and process the city’s general waste bins.

 

It costs £33 per household per year to empty and process the city’s recycling bins.

 

Garden waste is a paid for service. It costs each subscribed household £60 per year. Those who do not have the service do not pay towards it.

 

(12)    Councillor Heley

 

20.25      Since November 2019, Preston Park ward councillors have been asking for the light on the bridge over London Road Station to be fixed. Despite our numerous requests, the repair has still not been made. Why has it taken so long to work with Network Rail to resolve this issue, and when will the light be repaired by?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.26      This is a very specific issue and one that BHCC street lighting team are not versed in dealing with. We own a very small amount of assets that go over Network rails property and as such we have limited experience with dealing with the situation.

 

Following the initial faults reported to the authority, BHCC needed to ascertain the ownership of bridge, in order that we could be sure we had relevant permission to carry out alterations, this delay sits with BHCC street lighting team.

 

Suitable alternative assets needed to be resourced as the lights that have failed are no longer manufactured, this in itself caused further delays.

 

As BHCC street lighting didn’t have a network rail contact, we had to try and ascertain who we needed to contact to work in the vicinity of the railways and what the procedure was. Network Rail were not quick to respond to initial requests.

 

Colas on behalf of BHCC managed to obtain a contact for Network rails assets protection team (the team responsible for the safety around working in vicinity of railways), they then got sent a number of forms to complete, including risk assessments, method statements and additional safety measures around excessive light over the railways.

 

Colas completed the forms and sent to Network rail, there was a delay in gathering the information and supplying it to NR, this delay was down to colas and resourcing issues. Colas/BHCC awaiting response from forms to NR, the delay was down to NR.

 

Colas/BHCC chased NR, to which NR informed BHCC/Colas that the officer dealing with this request was leaving and it would fall to another member of NR staff to process. Colas/BHCC chase again, NR admit to losing the initial paperwork. Colas resubmit the Paperwork and NR respond outlining their process and costs for processing the requests along with the need for BHCC to sign an asset protection agreement in line with NR policy.

 

In short the process has been hampered all along from all parties involved, however NR have not been quick to respond to BHCC and have been a significant part of the delays due to their complex process, that said BHCC accept there were initial delays in getting the process started due to resource issues and lack of experience with dealing with NR, and that subsequently the term maintenance contractor has experienced delays due to resources which have compounded the issues.

 

(13)    Councillor Hugh-Jones

 

20.27      Given the numerous outstanding leaseholder complaints and disputes with the council concerning overcharging for what they regard as unnecessary and shoddy work while the Mears joint venture was in place, can the administration provide clarification on the point at which, and under what authority, the remit of the joint venture was extended to cover major projects in addition to repairs?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.28      The contract with Mears was a comprehensive term partnering contract that covered responsive repairs, empty property repairs and planned capital works including major refurbishment and improvement projects over a ten-year period. Therefore, it was not extended to cover major projects as the contract already covered that work.

 

For clarity, the agreement was a Term Partnering Contract and not a joint venture.

 

The council does have a three stage leasehold disputes process and is working with leaseholders to address their concerns. Following our councillors working group on leaseholders one of the practical measures we introduced to improve engagement was the introduction of a new post of Senior Leasehold Liaison Officer to directly support leaseholders where they have questions or concerns.

 

New arrangements are now in place for delivering repairs and maintenance through our new in-house service and we are procuring separate planned works contracts and major projects frameworks following extensive engagement with tenants and leaseholders to shape our strategy and these new arrangements.

 

(14)    Councillor Hugh-Jones

 

20.29      I am frequently contacted by residents raising the issue of cars in Preston Park. Drivers park in no parking areas or in bays reserved for blue badge holders. On occasion they travel at speed up and down Lime Tree Walk, “slalom-style” between the speed bumps, despite this being an area frequented by families with small children and pets. The “No Entry” road markings have recently been repainted, yet already I have been contacted by a resident whose dog was almost run over. It seems it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident. Could the chair please advise

A)    How many penalty charges have been issued in the last year to those parking or driving in Preston Park outside the designated parking areas?

 

B)    What steps will be taken to adequately restrict vehicular access and enforce parking restrictions (except with respect to blue badge holders), not just in Preston Park but also in our other green spaces so that others are able to use such spaces in safety?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.30       

A)    In the past year we have issued 807 PCNs directly in Preston Park itself.

 

B)     The Council can and will continue to enforce the park through NSL’s Civil Enforcement Officers where Traffic Regulation Orders allow. We would encourage the use of the Rapid Response number where vehicles are observed in contravention of the restrictions in the Park, via our hotline on 03456 035 469 and select option 2. (CityParks can deal with more detailed issues)   

 

(15)    Councillor Hugh-Jones

 

20.31      In light of the Black Lives Matter campaign, do you agree that it is time to conduct a review, not just of the city’s public monuments, but also of our most high-profile buildings? Do you also agree that the results could form the subject matter of a Brighton Museum exhibition on the contribution of the slave trade to the funding of The Pavilion and Dome, Brighton Town Hall and many of the city’s Regency buildings?

 

Reply from Councillor Appich, Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee

 

20.32      Following the city pledge to become an Anti-Racist City, as the Council Leader I  made the following statement:

“The Black Lives Matter movement has rightly shone a spotlight on colonial statues and street names in the UK and elsewhere in the world.

In Brighton & Hove we’re currently reviewing all plaques, monuments, statues and street names on public land to ensure that we’re celebrating legacies that reflect our city’s values.  We will seek to remove any statues or monuments with clear associations with enslavement or plantations”

In response to this, the Communities Equality and Third Sector Team has commenced work on a review of Statues, Plaques and Street names in the city

 

This will include:

 

•     Work with Black History Project and other BAME groups in the city to establish a review group

•     Collate list of statutes and plaques and street names for review

•     Undertake research of each plaque and statue identified

•     Engage with conservation and civic amenities groups and blue plaque panel as required

•     Review group to recommend interventions which may include removal/renaming, additional contextual information or no action taken.

•      Agree a work programme to carry out physical works and changes and educational or other interventions.  

•     Confirm budget to carry out works

 

It is essential that this process is led by BAME led groups in the city, and we are currently in discussion with the Brighton and Hove Black History Group and other key stakeholders to set up the scope, terms of reference and membership of the group.

 

The current identified scope of the review group is to consider plaques, statues and street names, but this will not be confirmed until the group has met, and should the council wish to incorporate other buildings and educational or learning outcomes into the scope of this group this may be included in the discussion.

 

(16)    Councillor Osborne

 

20.33      Does the council keep stats on the ethnicity of tenants in council properties? If so what is the proportion of BAME households and how does this compare to the average percent of the city? 

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.34      As at June 2020, from information we hold Black & Minority Ethnic (BAME) tenants make up approximately 10% of the city’s council tenants (ethnicity data is not known for around 7% of council tenants.)  Around 14% of the council’s general needs tenants, and 11% of tenants in seniors housing are from BAME groups. 

This compares to the most recent census figures of 19.5% BAME of the overall population of Brighton & Hove.

 

(17)    Councillor Osborne

 

20.35      How many people are employed by the council and what is the breakdown in numbers of employees on various contracts e.g. hours worked- zero hours, part time, full time, flexible, and length of contract- temporary, permanent? 

 

Reply from Councillor Yates, Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee

 

20.36      As at 31^st March 2020 a total of 10,185 employees were on the council payroll, including schools’ staff. This breaks down as 5072 non school employees, and 5113 school employees and includes those employed on a casual basis.

Hours breakdown

Full time	3557
Part time	5217
Casual	1411
Total	10185

Contract breakdown

Permanent / secondment	6016
Fixed term / Temporary	2758
Casual	1411
Total	10185

 

(18)    Councillor Osborne

 

20.37      How much money was spent on agency staff during the financial year April 2019/2020 and how much extra is this in comparison to what it would have cost if the job had been carried out by an equivalent council employee? Can you provide a breakdown of agency staff used in each of the different directorates? 

 

Reply from Councillor Yates, Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee

20.38      The total spend on agency staff during the financial year April 2019/2020 was £5.7m. This represents a -3.3% reduction on the total spend for the preceding financial year, which was £5.9m.

It is not currently possible to provide a set of meaningful data in relation to a comparison between roles fulfilled by agency employees and the equivalent cost of these being undertaken by a BHCC employees. This data is not currently collected and would require a significant amount of time and resource to assimilate and would be subject to a number of caveats and variables, such that it could not be considered reliable for comparative purposes. This is because BHCC on costs in addition to basic salary will vary for roles at different grades and dependent on pension scheme membership so could only be reported as broad average costings as compared to the overall rate of an agency employee which will also include the agency’s commission at differing rates dependent on the category of work being undertaken. In some cases, such as specialist IT&D roles for example, there will not be any direct BHCC equivalent comparator role, or the time required to determine whether a role was comparable and identify it would be considerable.   

 

(19)    Councillor Osborne

 

20.39      Does the council use Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with staff leaving service? If so, how many of these have been signed in each year since 2014? Can you provide an overall breakdown of which departments/directorates these come from and the total cost of these? 

 

Reply from Councillor Yates, Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee

 

20.40      The principle of not using non-disclosure clauses in settlement agreements was agreed by P&R in December 2019, subject to the agreement of the unions. We anticipate that employees will be supportive as it restricts the use of non-disclosure clauses but gives the employee the choice of keeping the clause if they want to. The proposal is due to be discussed with Union representatives and discussed at the Joint Staff Consultative Forum before coming into effect and we hope to have this in place soon. 

 

In terms of the numbers of settlements agreements that have been entered by the Council, I can provide the following breakdown-

·      Brighton & Hove Council staff total number of settlement agreements between 2015 and 2019 is 55 (These figures do not include Brighton & Hove Schools staff)

 

I do not have a total figure of the cost of these agreements.   All settlement agreements for Council staff are required to be considered by the Council’s Compensation Panel before they can be approved.  The agreements are also monitored by our HR Team in order to provide equality analysis data.   All exit packages are broken down in financial bands in the Council’s Statement of Accounts which are available online and go back to 2011.

 

The analysis would suggest that the current numbers of settlement agreements entered in to by the Council is appropriate for an organisation with a staff body of our size. The figures indicate that in relation to gender there are even numbers in terms of the proportion of Council staff who are men and women who have signed settlement agreements over the 4 years (2015-2018). The data that is reviewed by our HR advisory service indicates that there is no disproportionate use of settlement agreements in relation to those with protected characteristics and our Compensation Panel pays special attention to any agreements where protected characteristics are a feature of the agreement. These safeguards we have put in place, in addition to the proposed principle of not using non-disclosure clauses in settlement agreements, are helpful strategies to ensure that settlement agreements are used appropriately, and we have maintained these safeguards in order to ensure this oversight continues. The Council also pays for independent legal advice to be taken by each employee before any settlement agreement is entered into.

 

(20)    Councillor Osborne

 

20.41      How much money has been spent on consultants to develop strategy for the council including think tanks and individuals? Can you provide a list of consultants used and detail what areas they have focused on? 

 

Reply from Councillor Yates, Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee

 

20.42      The appointment of consultancy services are managed within directorates for a wide range of services, including development of strategy, and invoices are passed through a central team. Specific spend on strategy development would require individual analysis of over 200 invoice payments. The officer time to prepare this information is not available in the timescale of the request.

 

(21)    Councillor Osborne

 

20.43      How many children are there in the local authority with education, health and care (EHC) plans?

 

Reply from Councillor Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee

 

20.44      The number of EHCPs the local authority maintains currently stands at 1799.

 

(22)    Councillor Osborne

 

20.45      How much debt is held by the council and how does this compare with other councils?

 

Reply from Councillor Yates, Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee

 

20.46      At 31 March 2020 the council held debt outstanding of £278 million in relation to short and long term loans.

 

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) publishes a ‘Financial Resilience Index’ which provides a range of ‘Indicators of Financial Stress’ including indebtedness. The index was last updated for 2018/19 and this showed that out of 57 Unitary Authorities, Brighton & Hove City Council’s debt holding was at the average for this group of authorities.

 

(23)    Councillor Osborne

 

20.47      How many parking spaces are there across the city and how many are owned by the council? Is there any data collected on the occupancy rates of these parking spaces?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.48      For the 2018/19 financial year, there were 77,339 on the public highway and within off-street car parks. This does not include figures of non-council owned bays and this figure does not include privately owned Council (such as on Housing Land) spaces.

 

We do not have any accurate occupancy figures although we have detailed information on income by location.

 

 

(24)   Councillor Powell: Tackling rogue landlords and empty properties

 

20.49      According to ‘Letting Agent Today’, dated 9^th January 2020, it was reported that our Labour council had failed to meet the deadline for the funds to enforce rental regulations.  The Chair of Housing, Cllr Gill WILLIAMS was quoted as saying that BHCC had set-up “a new online reporting system for residents to report problems with poor private rented housing.” 

Can the Chair inform us then:

·      How this new system works, and how residents access it?

·      How the system is being advertised?

·      What types of issues are being reported, and if any trends are being tracked?

·      Whether renters have reported any energy-efficiency issues that they have raised with landlords, or issues associated with landlords passing on the costs of energy efficiency measures?

·      Specifically, what actions are being taken by this council against landlords who are found to be neglecting their properties?

·      And specifically, how many cases has the council dealt with since it started?

 

Additionally, the Chair mentioned within the same article “we are introducing a new enforcement policy to regulate standards in private rented housing, and to tackle empty homes in B&H”.

 

Greens and Labour have pledged in the joint Housing programme to tackle empty homes, so could the Chair please tell us:

·      How many empty homes (both council and private) the city has, specifically between April 2019 and March 2020?

·      How many empty homes has this Labour administration brought back into use since it took the administration in May 2019?  And how does this figure compare to the number of empty homes brought back in 2018/19?

·      Whether the EPC enforcement post, budgeted for in February, has been filled and, if it has, what enforcement measures have been taken to ensure that landlords comply with their EPC obligations?

·      Could the Chair confirm that she will update councillors at the Housing Committee in due course, on how this enforcement policy is working, and how it is being monitored?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.50      We successfully bid for grant which enabled the development of the online reporting system.  However, the later funding bid referred to in the question required a project already in development.  In light of this it would have been inappropriate to submit a bid or to submit a bid after the deadline.

 

How this new system works, and how residents access it?

 

The system is accessed via the Private Sector Housing Pages of the council’s website. It takes people through a series of questions, gathering details on which officers can act, or signposting elsewhere if more appropriate.

 

How the system is being advertised?

 

In terms of advertising the system, a press release was sent out at the time; there is also an auto reply email to the Private Sector Housing inbox, and on the answer machine message for our public line. In addition, our Customer Support team signpost to it on the phone if necessary.

 

What types of issues are being reported, and if any trends are being tracked?

 

‘Develop the enforcement approach to private sector housing to reflect the full range of potential options available to improve management and standards’ is a key priority under the Improving private rented housing section of the Housing Committee Work Plan 2019-23.  Progress against the Housing Committee Work Plan is subject to regular reporting to Housing Committee with the next report due in September 2020.  We are also discussing with members further monitoring measures that may be useful to support provision of additional information on progress against the Work Plan. As well as the numbers of requests for assistance received, which we currently report on to committee members, we can also report on types of issues arising.  The most common requests for assistance reported include dampness, disrepair and issues being reported concerning HMOs.

 

Whether renters have reported any energy-efficiency issues that they have raised with landlords, or issues associated with landlords passing on the costs of energy efficiency measures?

 

We have not received any reports relating to energy efficiency at this time.

 

Specifically, what actions are being taken by this council against landlords who are found to be neglecting their properties?

 

As outlined in our Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy agreed at Housing Committee in November 2019.  In relation to neglect of property - Initially, first contact is to informally require works be carried out to remedy the situation. If this is not successful, we serve a statutory notice, for which we could prosecute for non-compliance. This has not been necessary to date. We are introducing a system of Civil Penalties to consider as an alternative to prosecution.

 

And specifically, how many cases has the council dealt with since it started?

 

Please see tables concerning Requests for Assistance received by the Private Sector Housing Team below.

 

 

 

 

 

How many empty homes (both council and private) the city has, specifically between April 2019 and March 2020?

 

The Enforcement Policy referred to in the question concerned private sector housing not council homes. 

 

It is difficult to provide a figure for the number of private homes in the city that would have become empty between April 2019 and March 2020.  This is because some would have been empty for a short period and then re-occupied.  The Empty Property Team become involved in bringing long term empty private sector homes back in to use, usually those homes that have stood empty for 12 months or more, unless specifically reported to them, for example due to specific neighbourhood concerns.

 

As at 1 April 2019, approximately 1,207 homes in the city were recorded as empty for 6 months or more; and at 31 March 2020 the figure was approximately 1,212.  There is a myriad of reasons where no targeted or enforcement action is taken, for example where the council is in active dialogue with the owner, a sale or re-let is in progress, or refurbishment or repairs are underway. In addition, the council does not take action on properties awaiting or have recently been granted probate, or where an owner is in care or temporarily elsewhere and likely to return.  

 

In terms of empty council homes, we provide regular detailed performance reports to Housing Committee.  Between April 2019 and March 2020, 485 council homes became empty.  As at 1 April 2019 there were 75 empty, and as at 31 March 2020 there were 78.

 

How many empty homes has this Labour administration brought back into use since it took the administration in May 2019?  And how does this figure compare to the number of empty homes brought back in 2018/19?

 

We are unable to separate out figures from May 2019 but can report on the full financial year.  From April 2019 to end March 2020, the council brought 150 long term empty private sector homes back in to use.  This compares to 162 long term empty private sector homes brought back into use during 2018/19.

 

Since April this year 21 long term empty private sector homes have been brought back into use, bringing the total since April 2019 to 171.

 

Whether the EPC enforcement post, budgeted for in February, has been filled and, if it has, what enforcement measures have been taken to ensure that landlords comply with their EPC obligations?

 

Recruitment to any new posts has been delayed owing to the current Covid-19 emergency.

 

Due to the Covid emergency we have not been able to go and inspect accommodation except where there are urgent complaints about the condition.

 

Could the Chair confirm that she will update councillors at the Housing Committee in due course, on how this enforcement policy is working, and how it is being monitored?

 

As above, ‘Develop the enforcement approach to private sector housing to reflect the full range of potential options available to improve management and standards’ is a key priority under the Improving private rented housing section of the Housing Committee Work Plan 2019-23.  Progress against the Housing Committee Work Plan is subject to regular reporting to Committee with the next report due in September 2020. 

 

Due to the Covid emergency we have not been able to go and inspect accommodation except where there are urgent complaints about the condition.

 

(25)    Councillor Powell: Learning from the tragedy of Grenfell

 

20.51      We are 3 years on from Grenfell: the worst preventable tragedy in peacetime.  

 

On 13^th June 2020, The Independent stated that “some 56,000 people were still living in buildings with flammable cladding”.  The Shadow Housing Secretary said that it was a “national disgrace” that people were still waking-up all these years on, in “potential death traps”.   The Labour party went on to say “if other types of cladding identified as a fire risk are removed at the same rate, it will be almost 40 years before the risk is completed.”

 

The council website under the heading “council-owned high-rise-fire safety FAQS” gives residents a lot of helpful, factual information about what the council has done in response to Grenfell.   From this page (which is undated), could the Chair of Housing please answer the following:

·      “Working with the ESFRS, we contacted the owners of private blocks to ensure we have the necessary information to make their blocks safer”.  Can the Chair detail exactly what meaningful actions this council has taken to ensure that private blocks are indeed safe, by providing actual examples?

·      In relation to sprinklers being installed as standard in new high rise buildings, this is the reply as listed on the website: “We will also review our Asset Management Strategy and our new homes design specification to take on board any learning or new regulation” Can the Chair confirm then, if all new council properties, and all new housing association properties are, as of today’s date, having sprinklers fitted as part of the course, or not?

·      “A pilot sprinkler installation at Somerset Point was completed in 2016.”  Essex Place and St James House were noted as completed in 2018.  It goes on to say: “In the longer term we will be reviewing the use of sprinklers, taking into account latest technology and future government guidance.”  Would the Chair therefore confirm if the latest technology and future government guidance has been adhered to, and if all existing council high rise blocks have retrospectively been fitted with sprinklers?  And if not, when will this be done?

·      Can the Chair confirm how quickly the issues raised in the risk reports listed on the website are actioned, as these are not dated?

 

Lastly, in September 2019, the Pankhurst flats in my ward of Hanover and Elm Grove suffered a terrifying fire.  Passers-by were reported in B&H News as saying that “the fire spread within seconds.”  Could the Chair inform the council when were all Housing Association buildings last fire checked by council officers?  And how often are these checked, please?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.52      The council is committed to providing safe homes and has worked to keep residents well informed around safety and the work that the council is doing in this important area. As part of the council’s Housing Asset Strategy there is a clear focus on ‘Providing Safe Homes’. Regular updates have been provided to residents through Area Panels and to Housing Committee updating on work in this area.

 

In addition, we have provided a range of information around high rise blocks across the city as requested by central government.  In early 2020 the council’s Building Control team carried out an external non-invasive cladding survey of all known blocks of flats thought to be over 18m in height, as part of a data capture exercise for Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government.  The purpose was to identify any blocks that may require cladding to be removed as part of the government’s remediation programme.  Approximately 170 blocks were reviewed including, a small number of hotels and student accommodation.  None were found to include Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) or High Pressure Laminate (HPL).

 

Sprinklers are included in the council’s new homes Design Specification and are now fitted as standard in all council new build homes.

 

Changes to the building regulations in November 2020 will require sprinkler systems for new developments of flats where there is a storey more than 11m above ground level.  This will apply to all newly constructed blocks of flats in the public and private sector.  Typically blocks of flats with more than 4 storeys will require sprinklers to be fitted post November 2020.

 

The council has engaged extensively with residents as part of proposals to install sprinkler systems at St James House and Essex Place. Both projects are jointly funded with East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. The proposal and technical specification have been amended following the last consultation process undertaken with residents at the beginning of the year. The first stage of leaseholder consultation has been completed and the works will shortly go out to tender.

 

Following the completion of these installations a report will be brought to Housing Committee to consider options for a further roll out of sprinkler systems across the city’s housing stock.

 

Our Fire Risk Assessment process identifies any actions required and sets appropriate target dates. These will depend on the risk identified and can range from immediate actions through to repairs to be completed in 30 days, 3 months or items for review after a year.

 

Housing Associations are subject to their own regulatory regime as well as requirements that they discharge their statutory duties.  Other than responding to information sought by Government around all high-rise blocks across the city outlined above, the council do not have a programme of undertaking fire checks on all Housing Association buildings.

 

 

 

 

(26)    Councillor Powell: Libraries

 

20.53      Bertrams, the (outsourced) supplier to the council of books, labels and catalogues, has gone into administration, as reported in the publication in The Bookseller on 19^th June 2020:

 

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/employees-be-made-redundant-betrams-goes-administration-1207533

 

Could the Chair of TECC, Cllr Carmen Appich, explain how libraries will be getting new books, including those published these past few months?

 

And could Cllr Appich also confirm that this actually provides a golden opportunity to discuss with officers, the possibility of now making this a council library-staffed job, as it should always have been?

 

Reply from Councillor Appich, Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee

 

20.54      The council procures library stock and bibliographic services through the Jubilee Library PFI contract and this contract is unaffected by Bertrams going into administration. The council’s PFI partners are currently seeking alternative suppliers to replace the sub-contract they had with Bertrams. This includes setting up temporary arrangements to procure supplies quickly to mitigate the risk of missing books that have recently been published.

 

If bibliographic services were bought in-house, considerably higher costs would be incurred to cover the specialist staffing and materials necessary to run them and the costs of books and bibliographic services would no longer be off-set by part of the government PFI grant of £1.5 million.

 

It is worth noting that the council’s library staff already retain the responsibility for book selection and carry out this role in a number of ways.  This includes creating purchasing profiles for obvious book-buying such as getting the latest publications from top-selling authors, as well as selecting some of the more esoteric or locally focused stock themselves.

 

(27)    Councillor Druitt

 

20.55      Despite the council’s best efforts, the beach remains dangerously overcrowded on sunny days and the resulting amounts of rubbish are shameful. What plans does the council have to ensure that overcrowding on the beach in the summer holidays does not cause a ‘second wave’ and how does the council plan to facilitate a reduction in litter on the beach from the recent record-breaking haul to zero?

 

Reply from Councillor Appich, Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee

 

20.56      Since 4^th July the seafront businesses are now able to welcome customers inside their premises and to their outdoor patio areas.  Across the country pubs, restaurants and leisure attractions have reopened which now provides more choice and allows the public to stay local if they prefer.

 

This has taken pressure away from the beach, which for a time during lockdown was one of the few options available for people seeking enjoyment and social activity.

 

Despite several days of good weather over the last few weeks at no point has the beach became overcrowded to a point where physical distancing is not possible.  However, the council Seafront Team is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and is working closely with partners from Sussex Police, SECAMB, HM Coastguard & East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service on safety planning for potentially busy days.

 

Cityclean has been working with other council services on a coordinated approach and action plan to tackle the waste issues along the seafront, including encouraging businesses and the public to manage their waste more responsibly. The amount of rubbish left behind (11 tonnes in one day) on 25 June 2020, highlights that it not something the council can tackle alone and requires collaboration with others for any measures introduced to prove successful.    

 

The council is focusing on five areas to reduce litter on the beach and work towards a deposit return scheme and alternatives to single use plastics:

 

1.     Environment Enforcement Officers now patrol the seafront area, working in shifts up to 8pm. The officers can offer advice and where appropriate, issue fixed penalty notices of £150. This has already been a positive move with 21 fixed penalty notices issued since they started.  

2.     A campaign is under development to warn the public on littering offences and inform on how to dispose of waste correctly. Signage is in place in some areas on the seafront and a further review of existing signage take place. Once complete, clear messaging will be placed in identified areas.

3.     An additional 70 large bins have been placed along the seafront to cope with hot spot areas and a dedicated vehicle is now servicing the area. The situation is monitored on a regular basis and operations adjusted accordingly.

4.     Businesses operating in and around the seafront area are being spoken to, as part of work to explore a deposit return scheme and the possibility of introducing more environmentally friendly containers. Plans include businesses signing up to a pledge, to highlight their support in jointly addressing the litter issues and reducing the harmful impact on the environment, by choosing alternatives to single use plastics.  

5.     Several volunteer groups, including Surfers Against Sewage, are keen to support the council in keeping the beach clean. A more coordinated approach to volunteers’ groups will be established, including the council-led Tidy Up Team, to get involved in litter picking activities. Tool chests will be introduced across the city, including on the seafront, which contain equipment that can be easily accessed by volunteers, to help with clean-up activities and anticipate these to be in place sometime in August 2020.

 

The council is working hard to tackle the issues on the seafront, with many of us saddened by the way it is being used by some. We will continue to develop actions and put in to place as soon as practicable.

 

(28)    Councillor Druitt

 

20.57      Has the council received a response yet from the Government to the request to use un-claimed funds from the Small Biz grant scheme to enable more local businesses to be supported from the discretionary fund; if so what is the outcome and if not, what can the council do further to support local businesses struggling to stay afloat?

 

Reply from Councillor Platts, Leader of the Council

 

20.58      On the 9 July 2020 the Leader of the Council Nancy Platts wrote the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), and the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The letter confirmed that the council had dispensed all of the allocated discretionary grant funds, amounting to £3.677million to business and sought agreement from government to use unallocated sums from the main business grant fund to enable support to go to those who the council was unable to support.

 

A response from the Rt Hon Paul Scully MP on behalf of BEIS was received on the 20 July. Unfortunately, the letter reiterated the government’s current position regarding the fund and is not proposing any changes to the process to allow for the reallocation of the underspend to the discretionary fund as this time. We have yet to receive a response from the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick to our request.

 

(29)    Councillor Druitt

 

20.59      How many of the council’s commercial tenants have requested rent relief (and what is the value of relief requested), and what are the main reasons given for requests? Can the council provide figures for the number of businesses (and the value of rent) that have been granted (i) deferrals, and (ii) write-offs?

 

Reply from Councillor Yates, Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee

 

How many of the council’s business tenants have requested a rent deferral in light of Covid-19?

 

20.60      As a direct impact of Covid-19 189 tenants requested a deferment of their March quarter rental payment, either because of forced closure or because of a significant decline in income.

 

This figure does not include rent arrears that have accrued as a result of Covid-19, where a deferred payment has not been requested. 

Nor does it include loss of rent as a result of lease termination due to Covid-19.

 

How many and for what sums have been granted?

All requests for a rent deferment were granted, equal to £993,684 rent per quarter and £84,241 service charge per quarter.  Total £1,077,925 per quarter.

 

How many of the council’s business tenants have requested rent relief (i.e. a rent-free period) in light of Covid-19?

On 30 April P&R Committee granted delegated authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Culture, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, to negotiate and conclude alternative payment arrangements, deferral or reduction, on a case-by-case basis, in relation to its commercial tenants.  Working with our managing agents Avison Young, a proforma was prepared for tenants to complete, providing information to support an application for a temporary rent reduction.  Criteria for evaluation was also prepared.  The proforma was sent to all tenants who had requested a rent deferment for March quarter.  83 tenants have submitted completed proforma’s requesting rent reductions equal to £1,025,779 rent loss.  This figure does not include loss of rent on Turnover rents.

 

How many and for what sums have been granted?

None of the requests for rent reductions have yet been granted.  All returned proforma’s have been evaluated.  A briefing note with recommendations and financial implications will be forwarded to Nick Hibberd and Nigel Manvell for their approval in accordance with the 30 April P&R Committee authority.

 

(30)    Councillor Druitt

 

20.61      For the last four weeks residents in Clarence Square have had to put up with noisy air conditioning units running 24/7 from one of the shops; they have complained to Environmental Health but so far no action has been taken. Can the council explain to residents what they have to do to get action on this matter?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.62      3 Complaints have been received about noise from the air handling units at  ‘Yummies’ convenience store.   Noise nuisance is investigated under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.  Noise is assessed having regard to the character, duration and frequency of a noise and how it affects a person in their home.

 

Noise diaries have been sent to all 3 complainants asking them to record how and when they are affected.  The case is still under investigation and there is currently insufficient evidence to define the noise a statutory nuisance. If the noise is deemed to be a statutory noise nuisance a noise abatement notice must be served on the business owner.  Non compliance with such a notice is a criminal offence. However, sufficient time must be provided to allow for compliance of the notice.

 

The case officer has contacted the conservation team in the council’s planning service to make them aware of the concerns raised in relation to the windows.

 

(31)    Councillor Hills: School Streets

 

20.63      The last Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee committed to implementing a programme of School Streets to support the safe reopening of all primary and nursery schools in Brighton and Hove. Closing off streets to traffic outside schools encourages active travel to and from school, aids social distancing and protects children, parents and staff from the effects of pollution from exhaust fumes outside schools. It would be great to follow the lead of London boroughs such as Hackney in London, where school streets are being quickly rolled out in almost every primary school prior to schools reopening in September. Could the chair of the committee outline what work is currently being done to facilitate this, and estimate how many of our schools will have School Streets in place when the autumn term starts?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.64      The key concept on School Streets in the ‘Hackney Toolkit’ is that no closures will occur outside a school without the support of the head teacher and board of governors as it’s important that a partnership approach is adopted to ensure success.

 

In practice any school road closures will need to be run by school staff and volunteers with guidance from Council Transport Officers. In terms of progress to date, Officers have been talking to the walking and cycling charity Sustrans about ways they can support specific closures and help to train parent volunteers city wide.

 

So far, a desktop assessment has been used to identify all sites where closures are viable, and further sites where other measures can create more space for social distancing at the school gate.

 

On July the 8th, the School Streets project team contacted all Infants, Juniors and Primaries (and any nurseries attached to these settings) at potential road closure sites. Independent schools were also approached, though many had already gone on summer holidays.

 

Sites where other measures are proposed have been contacted this week.

 

Officers aim to provide weekly updates to all Ward Cllrs about the school sites in their wards and I will ensure you are updated as part of those updates.

 

(32)    Councillor Hills: The SEND Central Hub

 

20.65      Work has been delayed on the planning and consultation of the SEND Central Hub, which includes Homewood College, The Pupil Referral Unit and the Connected Hub premises. Could you tell me when the project will be progressed?

 

Reply from Councillor Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee

         

20.66      This work has been delayed as a direct result of Covid19, however, it will be progressed in September. A specification for the layout of Homewood College has been co-produced with staff across the Central Hub; this includes representation from the PRUs and a member of the Homewood Governing Body. One of the BHCC Architect’s is currently using the specification to design the possible internal layouts for both the current Homewood site and the Cedar Centre which is located on Lynchet Close. The cost implications for both sites are being compiled so that a clear ‘value for money’ comparison can be made across the two sites.

 

This information will then be presented to staff groups across the Central Hub in September for further discussion and will assist the Homewood College Senior Leadership Team, the Governing Body, the PRU Management Committee and the local authority to make an informed choice on the best location for Homewood College going forward. The BHCC project manager will liaise with the Central Hub to set out a timetable by the 18 September for the remainder of the process, with a date identified for when the final decision is to be made.

 

It has been decided with the Executive Head Teacher and the Chair of Governors that any accommodation moves for the other sites will be considered further once the permanent location of Homewood College has been decided upon.

 

(33)    Councillor Hills: Voluntary Council Tax Payments

 

20.67      At a previous full council meeting, I brought up the idea of allowing residents to voluntarily increase the amount of council tax they pay to fund specific projects, and this was met with a positive response from the administration. I’d just like to know what progress has been made with regard to rolling this out.

 

Reply from Councillor Yates, Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee

 

20.68      I would like to thank Councillor Hills for raising this matter again, which is timely given the potential financial consequences of the pandemic for council services. Officers initially looked at this back in January and identified that, relative to other authorities that had considered a voluntary scheme for high Council Tax band properties, the city has a relatively low number high band H properties. Compared to Westminster, for example, the council has under 200 band H properties compared to Westminster’s 15,500 with both authorities having a similar overall number of dwellings. It may therefore be more challenging to make such a scheme work in Brighton and Hove but I am willing to look at widening this out, potentially across all bands, and I have therefore asked officers to bring a report with options to the 8 October Policy & Resources Committee.

 

 

 

 

(34)    Councillor Hills: Access to Madeira Drive

 

20.69      The lift at Concorde 2 is a much-needed access point to the sea front from Marine Parade, particularly for people with mobility issues or small children. I'd like to ask when will it reopen to the public? While I’m aware its recent closure has been due to the pandemic, the lift has a history of being randomly closed at times when it should be officially in service, which can be very frustrating to users. When the lift does reopen, would it be possible to communicate this to residents on the news section of the council website, and at times when it does go out of service could this be flagged up to residents too via council communications? Also, not all of the sets of steps going down from Marine Parade to Madeira Drive are currently open, and people are not always aware of which are and aren’t available to use. Again, could the points at which the steps are useable be made available in an easy-to-find place on the council’s website?

 

Reply from Councillor Appich, Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee

 

20.70      The Madeira Lift will not reopen until such time as the need for social distancing is removed.  The lift is a confined space and can only be operated by a lift attendant which means that is impossible for the operator to safely distance from passengers.  Furthermore, the lift is operated by Concorde 2 on behalf of the council.  The venue is currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions and staff are furloughed.

 

The staircases which remain open on Madeira Terrace have not altered since the fence was installed in 2015.  These staircases along with ramped access are identified on the City Map which is available to download from the Visit Brighton website.

 

(35)    Councillor West: Hove Recycling Centre access

 

20.71      It has been good to see the re-opening of Recycling Centres, allowing residents to once more  dispose responsibly of unwanted items. Social distancing however has required limiting numbers on-site, frequently resulting in vehicle queuing. Queue management changes at Hove have thankfully resolved conflict where drivers were queuing on the Old Shoreham Road and abusing the temporary cycle lane. However, capacity limits mean those who cannot join the queue still find frustration. Even the Mayor, Cllr Robins, has faced this problem, describing getting caught in what may be best described as a game of musical chairs; including u-turns in sideroads and successive drive bys. None of this can be good for road safety nor congestion, and certainly risks the impatient resorting to fly-tipping. 

We foresaw these pressures before re-opening and suggested the need to set up a booking system as other councils have done. Another idea could be to install a webcam with live feed to the council website so residents may check the queue length before setting out.

Other organisations and businesses have been working hard to ensure access to their services is convenient and reliable as we exit lockdown. What is the Labour administration planning to do now to improve the access of residents to these essential environmental services?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.72      Hove Household Waste Recycling Site normally has parking bay capacity for 30 cars although some of these bays are very lightly used due to being located away from the popular material streams such as general waste, garden waste and cardboard.

 

Hove recycling site reopened on Monday 18 May offering 12 bays (40% of normal capacity) to ensure customers and staff complied with the Government’s guidance on social distancing. Brighton & Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council (‘the Councils’) have been working with Veolia to identify extra bays and have increased the number available to 17 which is 57% of normal capacity. This approach fits with current guidance on social distancing at recycling sites which suggests utilising every other parking bay.

 

The Councils have also worked with Veolia to improve the way vehicles are handled on site in order to speed up throughput and ensure fewer bays are ‘empty’ of vehicles. This has included extra queuing capacity inside the site.

 

When the site reopened in May it was handling around 400 cars per day and this has now increased to between 500 and 600 cars per day. Normal throughput at this time of year at Hove is approximately 1000 cars a day.

 

The Councils continue to work with Veolia to identify where there may be potential to safely increase the number of bays available.

 

In order to manage queues, some local authorities have introduced booking systems. Our strategy is to increase capacity at the sites in order to accept more residents each day. Whilst a booking system offers residents a guaranteed time slot and helps minimise queue, the number of slots available tends to be quite conservative in order to ensure people who have booked can complete their visit within their allotted time. There are also issues with customers not turning up for their slot, reducing the opportunity for other residents to use the site. Some arrive without a pre-booking which also presents issues and some stay for longer than the allotted time, preventing others from accessing and having a knock-on effect for the remainder of the day. There will also be ongoing administration and subscription costs associated.

 

Whilst a booking system at Brighton & Hove recycling sites would alleviate the queues outside the site, it would lead to a reduction in the overall number of residents able to access the site each day. 

 

With regards a webcam, CCTV images are bound by data protection regulations as it may be possible to identify someone from information gathered such as facial images or vehicle registration number.  Also, it is very likely that by the time the resident reached the recycling centre, the situation would probably have changed since it was viewed on the webcam.

 

The Councils continue to work with Veolia in order to improve capacity at both sites. The household recycling sites are an extremely popular service for residents and is proven to be an effective way of managing waste with sites able to capture a high number of materials that can go for recycling. It should be noted that the summer is by far the busiest period for the sites, which adds further pressure on the service.

 

(36)    Councillor West: Freight Strategy

 

20.73      In response to the rise in online shopping a lengthening procession of delivery vans and noisy mopeds are filling our streets. A recent survey showed that younger people in particular are placing multiple orders a week creating an average of at least 7 doorstep deliveries a week.  It is suggested this is one of the main drivers of increased congestion and poor air quality.

 

Further to winning £85,000 for 12 e-cargo bikes, what freight strategy is the administration developing to address the changes we are seeing with how people shop? Will this include establishing break-bulk centres to support a significant shift to electric last mile deliveries. Additionally, what support and encouragement will this strategy also give to the use of collection centres and parcel lockers?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.74      I think we are all aware that our shopping habits are changing, no matter what our age, and that these will have increased during the lockdown period.  Managing deliveries of parcels, products and food within the city, whether to our homes, businesses or shops, in a sustainable and safe way is very important.  They can present problems in some areas of the city, including larger vehicles sometimes using unsuitable routes to reach or leave destinations.

 

We therefore need to look at deliveries as part of our wider strategy for managing traffic and movement on our network, including how we achieve the transfer of goods, where necessary.  That in itself can have impacts, as it requires space, which we all know is limited in our city.  Other ways of receiving or collecting parcels that reduce the need to travel can also help.

 

The success of the e-cargo bike bid is something we should celebrate and the interest we have had from local businesses to use them has been fantastic.  It shows there is an appetite to participate in our efforts to make the city carbon neutral by 2030 and is a sign of things to come. 

 

The council’s willingness to explore innovative options for further deliveries and freight movements is further demonstrated through the commitment that has been made to work with the National Infrastructure Commission on a pilot initiative.  This will explore how best to support innovation in freight with the objective of reducing the impacts on local congestion. 

 

The ongoing development of our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and a new Local Transport Plan will therefore excellent provide opportunities to consider freight and deliveries in a strategic way.

 

(37)    Councillor West: KPI recycling failure

 

20.75      The appalling news that a staggering 1,089 recycling bin collections have been missed will sadly come as no surprise to anyone living in Brighton and Hove. The sight of an overflowing bin has almost become routine. Worse still, while it’s clear that Covid-19 will have had an impact on the City Clean service in recent months, this does not explain away the repeated decline in bin collections across the last few years. The numbers tell a different story: that despite pledges that Labour Councillors would directly ‘oversee the service,’  the organisation of one of our most basic services, bin collection, continues to fail.

 

We were told previously that missed collections were the result of the fire at the Waste transfer facility. Then we were told there were a higher number of vehicle breakdowns. At one point, we were told that warm weather overheating trucks was to blame. The problem is, residents have heard it all; and have grown tired of assurances that things will improve. There is clearly something deeply wrong at City Clean and we urge the Labour council to do more to ensure residents actually see the rate of collections improve - not just find themselves the recipients of more empty promises.

 

City Clean’s two-year Modernisation Plan has over-run, with no end in sight to the problems it was promised to fix. In 2015 Labour promised the electorate they’d get the basics right. Five years on can they say when, if ever, they will be making good on that pledge. 

 

 

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.76      As Members are aware, the City Environment Modernisation Programme has been established to address several issues within the service.

 

As has been reported to previous Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committees, at the start of the Modernisation Programme, the scale of the challenge was unknown. As the work has progressed, further issues and improvements have been added to the Programme, increasing the workload for officers and the Administration.

 

One project underway concerns persistent missed collections and will address the issues raised by Councillor Wares. Officers are investigating the root cause for addresses that are frequently missed and identifying solutions to resolve them. Resolutions include applying for a Traffic Regulation Order for double yellow lines to improve access to a road, a dropped kerb to enable a communal bin to be moved or changes to parking bays. Some roads will be moved onto the smaller waste collection vehicle where access proves a problem and some roads will be moved to a different collection round. As these changes are implemented, residents experiencing persistent problems will see improvements. Residents will be written to if the activities lead to a change in their collection day.

 

I am pleased to report that feedback from residents has improved for the most recent quarter i.e. quarter 1 2020/21:

 

·         63 compliments were received, which represents 50% of the total received for the whole of last year

·         The number of complaints between quarter 4 to quarter 1 has reduced by half – 122 to 66; it is also fewer than the number of complaints received for quarter 1 last year

 

Members will receive an update on the Modernisation Programme at the September Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee, which includes other projects designed to improve collection performance such as the Keeping the City Clean Review and the Fleet Replacement Programme.

 

(38)   Councillor West: Calling for use of Your Tosser Littering Signs

 

20.77      Members and residents have been flagging up the surge in littering at the beach and in parks resulting from increased use of Single Use Plastics and surge in al fresco gatherings due to the Covid restrictions.  Cllr Pissaridou has described approaches being used to respond to these problems, but these measures just aren’t reaching the conscience of many people who need to be made aware of the impact their behaviour is having. Cllr Pissaridou is aware of the cheeky signs in use by York Council. These signs are effective in calling out those who toss away their rubbish. Cllr Pissaridou has so far rejected calls for Brighton & Hove to use these signs, suggesting they won’t be effective. Will she now stop rubbishing the idea and commit to getting these signs made up please.

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.78      I’ve seen these signs, and yes, they are cheeky and yes they have gained a lot of media coverage.

 

However, there is no real evidence to prove they are making a difference in reducing littering or are ‘effective in calling out those who toss away their rubbish’.

 

There is also no evidence to suggest these signs – and using what is essentially a derogatory swear word – reaches the conscience of those people who litter our beaches, parks, open spaces and streets.

 

Although there has been support in some quarters for using this kind of language, there are also many people who find it offensive and who, quite rightly, oppose the use of these signs in our city.

 

How does a parent or carer explain the meaning of the word when asked by a child? If truthful, is this really something we should or would want to tell them?

 

The people who litter know they shouldn’t be doing it. They just don’t care. Calling them ‘tossers’ isn’t going to make them stop.

 

We believe our signage – which points out that people will receive an on-the-spot fine of £150 – is far more of a deterrent than calling someone, who probably doesn’t care anyway, this kind of word.

 

The council has its own campaign based around the nudge theory of people loving our city, our beaches, parks, and open spaces and has had very far-reaching coverage and support.

 

As a clear sign we’re getting through to people with our messages, one Tweet about beach litter was seen by more than 100,000 people and 10,000 people reacted to it; and another was roughly half these figures.

 

These are enormous number by any standards, but even more so for a local authority post.

 

We’re also creating a wide-ranging strategy that will see more litter and recycling education in our schools; closer working with beachfront traders and businesses; carrying our further enforcement; working with volunteers and looking at the current bin allocation and the emptying of them.

 

To make people put a stop to their littering, we need long-term behaviour change, and this can’t be achieved overnight.

 

But the plans we’re putting in place are for the short, medium and long term, and will, we believe, lead to real behaviour change and therefore a cleaner city for everyone.

 

 

 

 

(39)    Councillor Clare

 

20.79      How many fines for littering have been issued on the seafront between April 1 - June 30, 2020?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.80      18 fixed penalty notices were issued between 1 April and 30 June.

Patrols along the seafront have been increased and continue each day up to 8pm.

 

(40)    Councillor Clare

 

20.81      Could you detail the council’s policy towards flyposting and its removal – and whether there is an exemption for community groups?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.82      Fly-posting, in the main, is illegal. Anyone caught fly-posting will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £150 under section 43 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.  The Fixed Penalty Notice can only be issued to the individual committing the act, not the venue or promoter relating to the event.

 

The council actively removes fly-posting from council owned street furniture, bins, benches, signs etc. and rapidly responds to reported offensive and racist flyposting. The council also seeks to remove fly-posting from closed shops to prevent it encouraging further anti-social behaviour.

 

The council is not responsible for removing fly-posting from privately owned property.

 

There are exemptions for local events of a religious, educational, cultural, political, social or recreational character, or any temporary matter in connection with an event or local activity of such a character, which is not being promoted or carried out for commercial purposes.

 

There are further exemptions as specified in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.

 

(41)    Councillor Clare

 

20.83      What was the total number of responses to the recent Youth Service consultation and how does this break down per area?

 

Reply from Councillor Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee

 

20.84      283 young people completed the online survey.  235 children and young people (83%) provided a Postal Sector to indicate where they lived.  Among these respondent’s;

 

·      49 respondents (17%) lived in the Preston Park and Withdean (BN1 5 and BN1 6) area of the city.

·      25 (9%) lived around Hanover and parts of Queens Parks (BN2 9)

·      21 (7%) in Portslade (BN41)

·      19 (7%) in Moulsecoomb and Bevendean (BN2 4)

·      15 (5%) in South Hangleton and West Blatchington (BN3 7)

 

Only 5 respondents lived in Woodingdean, Ovendean and Rottingdean (BN2 6, BN2 7 and BN2 8) and 9 respondents lived outside of the city.

 

Note: The full list by postcode is provided in the appendix.

 

In addition, 38 young people living across the city with SEND were supported to complete an adapted version of the survey.

 

A total of 73 young people participated in a one of the 15 young people’s focus groups

 

32 people representing a variety of organisations attended one of the three stakeholder focus groups and 7 individual feedback forms were received

 

70 parents / carers of children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged 11-25 completed an online survey

 

Total of young people that contributed to the Youth Review – 394

 

Total of stakeholders that contributed to the Youth Review - 102

 

 

Appendix

 

(42)    Councillor Clare

 

20.85      How many fixed term exclusions were issued in local authority schools in Brighton and Hove in the school year 2018-2019 or this school year if the data for the majority of the year is available? Of those fixed term exclusions, how do these break down per ethnicity?

 

Reply from Councillor Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee

         

20.86      The Department for Education publicises national data on exclusions in late July for the preceding year. Data for 2017-18 was published on 25 July 2019.  We therefore await the official publication of the 2018-19 data on exclusions.

 

However, we hold local data that shows there were 1522 fixed term exclusions in 2018-19. Of that total we do not have ethnicity details for 165 instances.

 

Across the City we have 26.3% of pupils who are BAME. 20.7% of instances of fixed term exclusion fixed term exclusion for BAME pupils. The rate of fixed term exclusion for pupils overall was 5.26%. The rate of fixed term exclusion was below this at 4.15%.

 

Therefore, in comparison with the total BAME population in the city, a lesser proportion of BAME pupils were excluded in 2018/19 than White British pupils. However, it is important to note that mixed White and Black Caribbean pupils and Black Caribbean pupils had a higher proportion of exclusions than other groups; although the BAME group with the highest proportion of exclusions was Gypsy Roma (but numbers are very small).

 

A full breakdown of ethnicities can be provided outside of the meeting. This school year has obviously been impacted by the response to Covid-19. We have local data that shows 488 instances of fixed term exclusion were issued.

 

I would want to assure you that officers regularly share details of the breakdown of exclusions with school representatives in the Behaviour and Attendance Partnership meetings and it forms a focus of the training governors can access on exclusion.

 

Ethnicity	Number FTE 2018-19	Number FTE Autumn 2019
White British	1088	344
Irish	2	3
Traveller of Irish Heritage	1	0
Gypsy Roma	3	5
Any Other White Background	23	11
White and Black Caribbean	49	12
White and Black African	46	11
White and Asian	33	4
Any Other Mixed Background	35	11
Indian	2
Bangladeshi	5	4
Pakistani	4
Any Other Asian Background	2	2
Black Caribbean	3	2
Black African	9	3
Any Other Black Background	3	1
Chinese	1	1
Unclassified	48	13
Total	1357	427

 

(43)    Councillor Clare

 

20.87      Could you provide the most recent statistics on the number of young people who walk, cycle, use public transport, park and stride and drive to school?

 

Reply from Councillor Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee

 

Primary Schools

20.88      Public transport use is 3.9% - much lower than secondary schools, especially for the youngest children. There are 59 separate sites which you can see in the zipped folder.

Secondary Schools

Here are the results for individual maintained Secondary Schools and an overall city-wide summary showing 27% of secondary students using public transport. There are significant variations by school. Faith schools such as Kings (37.2% but no figures for the new site from Sept 19 where public transport use was set to increase) and Cardinal Newman (39.5%) have wider catchments and are more reliant on public transport.

 

Independent Schools

City wide: Independents 16.3% by public transport, 19.9 by privately funded buses. Large variation between sites - individual results attached.

 

(44)    Councillor Mac Cafferty: Graffiti Wipes

 

20.89      Graffiti wipes are being decommissioned because of their environmentally damaging contents. When can we know what will replace them or are there other initiatives in train to wipe up tagging, especially on communal bins? 

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.90      Graffiti removal wipes have been decommissioned due to their costly and environmentally damaging nature.

 

Products to paint over graffiti continue to be available via the Tidy Up Team and Community Clean Up Scheme, including paint (most common colours, black, white and magnolia) and equipment to facilitate painting, such as paint brushes, rollers, trays and personal protective equipment.

 

Cityclean has reviewed the market for an alternative to the wipes. A graffiti removal spray, to be used with reusable rags redistributed from the hospitality industry has been tested and reviewed. Product risk assessments have highlighted the need for certain personal protective equipment, which Cityclean are currently procuring. Once in stock, the wipes, rags and personal protective equipment will be available via the Community Clean Up Scheme.

 

Also, the empty spray bottles are recyclable, apart from the nozzle, and we will be encouraging residents to reuse these.

 

The new removal spray is likely to leave smears on communal bins, a problem which was common with wipes. Cityclean’s preference is for paint to be used to cover graffiti vandalism on communal bins, which is available from the Community Clean Up Scheme.

 

(45)    Councillor Mac Cafferty: Elm Trees

 

20.91      How many elms have been lost in Brunswick & Adelaide over the past 3, 6 and 12 months? 

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.92      This information will be held on our computerised record system unfortunately we cannot access it currently but will get the numbers to Councillors as soon as we can access it.

 

(46)    Councillor Mac Cafferty: Brunswick Lawns

 

20.93      Further to unlawful vehicle incursions on the Lawns will there be an attempt to introduce bunds or posts to prevent further incursions? 

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.94      The introduction of either bunds or posts to the seafront lawns will be both expensive and unsightly officers, so officer will consider alternative ways of deterring unauthorised vehicles from going on the lawns.  Any proposals from that options development would need to be subject to funding be prioritised by the Council through the budget process.

 

(47)    Councillor Mac Cafferty: BSUH Merger

 

20.95      The proposed merger of BSUH and Western Sussex NHS has come as a shock to most of us and my residents- there appears to have been no consultation with locally elected councillors. Especially in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic we need more health staff and infrastructure not another reorganisation or attempt to stretch already stretched budgets. Can I ask what discussions if any the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board has had with local NHS and if the chair will be expressing opposition to such a merger? 

 

Reply from Councillor Moonan, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board

 

20.96      There have been no direct discussions with the Council with respect to the proposed merger. The Council received a letter on July 7^th confirming that the two boards of Western Sussex Hospitals (WSHT) and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) have agreed to pursue the creation of a single organisation through merger. The Council will be actively engaging with the NHS Trusts to ensure that the interests of the city are fully considered in these merger arrangements

 

(48)    Councillor Mac Cafferty: GP Access

 

20.97      A year ago, I asked what discussion the city council was having with the Clinical Commissioning Group to help the 1 in 6 people in the city who wait a whole week to see their GP. In light of the Covid-19 crisis that figure will almost certainly get worse. What plans are in place to ensure access to primary care continues? 

 

Reply from Councillor Moonan, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board

 

(49)    Councillor Mac Cafferty: Floral Clock

 

20.98      The mechanism is once again broken- this means the clock works for brief periods but subsequently then breaks down. Can a replacement mechanism and parts be found that will work for the long term? 

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.99      To date all repairs to the clock have proved to be short term as clocks of this type are very susceptible to vandalism. The gardeners working on the site have suggested replacing the clock with a sundial. Officers will investigate the cost of repairing the clock but unless it has a good chance of lasting this time I have asked them to look into the feasibility of the sun dial suggestion and discuss this with Ward Members.

 

(50)    Councillor Mac Cafferty: EV Charging Areas

 

20.100   Although I welcome electrical vehicle charging points being installed, residents are right to question what their use will be if they are installed next to reserved areas for electrical vehicles. Can I ask the Chair of ETS to explore this with relevant TROs etc? 

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.101   Trials of lamp post chargers last year showed that some charge points were well used by resident permit holders without the need for electric recharging only TROs. We will, however, monitor closely for blocked bays. Eighteen lamp post charger bays will be designated for electric vehicle recharging only by August. All new fast and rapid chargers are proposed to be for electric vehicle recharging only.

 

 

 

(51)    Councillor Mac Cafferty: Street Closures

 

20.102   As the city tries to recover from a pandemic which attacks the respiratory system, has the Administration considered making the process simpler to organise street closures to enable safe social distancing while communities reclaim their streets from traffic? 

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.103   We are receiving a large number of requests for point closures and low traffic neighbourhoods that can be created by installing filtered entry points at key locations throughout an area. To manage this demand we must take a strategic approach to manage traffic in residential areas rather than focussing on individual streets which can simply displace an issue from one street to the next.

 

The Council is in the process of developing a Local Walking and Cycling Implementation Plan (LCWIP) which will be used to prioritise funding for future years. This work will specifically look for opportunities to introduce ideas like the low traffic neighbourhood approach in areas across the City and requests can be put forward as part of the engagement process later this year.

 

In the meantime, the Council is focusing staff resources on the delivery of the agreed Covid-19 Transport Action Plan. 

 

(52)    Councillor Nield: Tongdean Lane

 

20.104   I am very pleased to see the actions currently being taken to make it easier for residents to walk and cycle in Brighton and Hove. However, outside of these specific schemes, walking and cycling remain difficult and often hazardous modes of transport. In Withdean ward a long stretch of Tongdean Lane has no pavement or street lighting and residents must walk in the road. This stretch is clearly marked “Access Only” but is used daily as a cut-through by speeding vehicles. I have witnessed on different occasions a woman pushing a pram, and a woman walking home with her toddler having to contend with car drivers using this road at speed. In addition, residents tell me that the road surface is in dire need of repair, which makes it hazardous to cyclists. While I understand that the current focus for improving cycling and walking provision is on strategic corridors and city centres, could I have some assurance that, particularly as the LCWIP progresses, we will be able to move on to finding solutions to some of our more direly neglected local walking and cycling issues such as that in Tongdean Lane?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.105   I am pleased to be able to confirm that there are plans in place to resurface Tongdean Lane, for the section between Dyke Road Avenue and Shepherd’s Croft. These works are planned in for this financial year and therefore should be completed by next April.

 

There are a number of other locations in the city where a lack of footways has also been raised, some of which are on today’s agenda.

 

As you know, the council is currently developing its Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, and I can confirm that your comments and request about pedestrian issues in this location have been noted by officers and will be taken into account as part of this ongoing work.

 

When we investigate providing new footways we do have to consider the overall costs which can include the need to re-construct road surfaces and drainage, and divert or lower underground services if there is space to do so. These works can be major and would need to be considered as part of our overall prioritisation of similar locations, in order to determine their suitability for being progressed within the budget available at the time. 

 

Your concern about driver speeds and the Access Only arrangement have also been noted by officers, although we need to recognise that the enforcement of ‘moving traffic’ offences like these are the responsibility of the Police, and I would encourage residents to contact their local Community Support Officer about incidences when they happen.

 

(53)    Councillor Wares: City Clean

 

20.106   The Conservative Group submitted a Freedom of Information request regarding the agreement reached between the Administration and the GMB Union in respect to Cityclean around February this year. This followed a period of industrial unrest when strikes at Cityclean were potentially imminent. Officers have confirmed they do have the information requested but are considering if publishing the information is in the public interest. For over two years the Administration have been trying to modernise Cityclean but in the same period, customer satisfaction has hit all-time lows, missed refuse collections have increased by 600% and missed recycling collections have trebled. At various Committees it has been advised that issues at Cityclean were far greater and more deep rooted than expected even though the council has been run by Labour for the past five years.

With Cityclean in such a dire condition, it is unthinkable that the agreement reached between the Administration and the GMB is anything other than in the public interest when such an agreement quite clearly will impact a basic council service for which council tax is collected.

Would the Leader of the Council therefore confirm, in the public interest and to meet her pledges of openness and transparency, that she will instruct officers to release all information relating to the agreement save of course any information that relates to individuals where GDPR legislation is applicable.

 

Reply from Councillor Platts, Leader of the Council

 

20.107   A Freedom of Information request was received in relation to disclosure of this agreement on 15th June. The requestor has been notified that this request is being considered and that a response will be provided no later than 6th August. There are occasions when documents held by the Council are not disclosed under Freedom of Information requests, in accordance with the law and the proper application of exemptions that are set out in the legislation. In particular, information is exempt from disclosure if it would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs. The Council must carefully balance the public interest in disclosing or not disclosing a particular document. Personal information would also be exempt from disclosure. This is not a member decision. The request will be considered and decided by officers against the proper legal framework and a response provided in accordance with the timescales indicated.

 

(54)    Councillor Bagaeen: BAME Representation

 

20.108   New data shared in a report by the University of Manchester published on 7 July 2020 shows that only 7% of all UK councillors are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background, which is half the percentage BAME people make up of the country's overall population (14%).

The report, by Professor Maria Sobolewska and Dr Neema Begum from the University of Manchester notes how only 13% of Westminster councillors are from a minority ethnic background, compared with 38% of the population.

The report shows that Brighton and Hove has a disparity of 12 percentage points between representation (0%) (2018) and the BAME percentage of the population (11.9%).

These figures impact resource allocation given that councillors have greater immediate power and control over resources.

In the Operation Black Vote audit of BAME councillors 2018, it found that of the 123 Single Tier authorities in England, one third has either no BAME representation of one BAME councillor. 28 Single Tier councils have no BAME councillor whilst 12 have just one.

This audit was damning of the record of Brighton & Hove noting that the city came in as one of those 28 single tier councils with no BAME councillor representation.

The scale of ethnic under-representation in local government is perpetuating racial inequality and disadvantage. What has the administration done to address this challenge in our city?

 

Reply from Councillor Platts, Leader of the Council

 

20.109   Thank you for your question.  Although there may be questions about the total accuracy of some of the figures, there is no question that there is a significant under-representation of the BAME population among Councillors nationally as well as in Brighton & Hove City Council. This is regrettable and the administration supports any steps taken to address it.

 

Before individuals can become Councillors, they have to stand and win elections. The selection of candidates is, of course, the responsibility of the different political parties and not the Council. We do not, as a Council, have the power to make individuals councillors outside the election process. However, within the limitations of the law and the restrictions on party-political activity, local authorities can do a number of things to encourage and facilitate better representation.  There was a review undertaken by the Policy & Resources Committee last December and, more recently, in response to the Black lives matter. Some of the initiatives we have introduced or are in the process of introducing include:

·      An information session for potential candidates ahead of local elections which is open to any person interesting in standing for elections. This covers an explanation of the rules relating to local authorities, what being a Councillor involves, the election process and the support available. We invite serving Councillors to share their experience so that anyone interested has the opportunity to consider becoming a Councillor. In in future, we plan to hold these sessions long enough before the election and also bring some speakers from BAME background that potential BAME candidates can relate to. It all has to be done on a strictly non-party-political basis.

·      The Council agreed to introduce a Standing Invitee to the Policy & Resources Committee to enrich its deliberations by bringing their lived experience. They have to be someone who lives or works in Brighton & Hove area and not active in party politics. This has the support of the Racial Harassment Forum. We are in the process of advertising for the position and hope to get the person in position in time for the October meeting of the committee. They will be provided with the necessary support and guidance. Although not a Councillor, they will be able to contribute to discussions in the most powerful committee of the council and they will  also have opportunities to meet senior politicians and officers.

·           As part of the emerging anti-racist strategy, we are proposing to introduce a Civil Leadership Programme. This will give individuals from BAME background the opportunity to shadow or be mentored by a person in a position of leadership in public services and business, including the Council, Police, Universities, the NHS, Magistrates and local businesses. This will be accompanied by academic studies provided by the University of Oxford. It will give the candidates the experience, encouragement and opportunity to put themselves for positions of leadership whether in politics, civic life or business.

·      Although your question is primarily about democratic representation, I think it would be helpful to mention, for completeness, some of the work we have been doing within our workforce. Although we have some way to go before we can be satisfied, the percentage of BME staff employed by the Council has been increasing at a steady pace over the last 5 years, increasing from 5.98% at 31 March 2015 to 7.74% at 30 June 2020.  Since 31 March 2018, there has been an increase of more than 3% of job applications received from BME individuals.  This is likely to be as a result of recruitment initiatives that include targeted advertising on social media, engagement with community groups and co-hosted job application workshops with the National Careers Service.   Further work is planned to support the success of BME applicants through the recruitment process and to progress existing and future BME staff into higher-graded positions where there is greater under-representation.  

 

To conclude, I very much agree that we need to address the current underrepresentation of the BAME Community among Councillors and MPs locally and nationally. The Council is determined to play its part in supporting this and has already started taking some initiatives mentioned above. We also have to accept that the primary responsibility sits with political parties who are the ones who select candidates. I therefore hope that all parties will encourage and facilitate the selection of BAME candidates in winnable seats so that we can have a Council and MPs that are more reflective of the community they serve.

 

(55)    Councillor Mears: Homeless Reduction Board

 

20.110   The council has received significant funding support from the Government to house rough sleepers in the City through to September. According to figures published in the Argus, Brighton & Hove City Council had spent up to £2.4 million by the end of June.

 

However, despite this support, residents are sadly still seeing many examples of homelessness and begging across the City

Following on from Labours announcement of its strategy for ending homelessness in Brighton & Hove, and the establishment of a:

Homeless Reduction Board serviced by a Homeless Operational Board with The Strategy and Action Plan being  referred to the Housing Committee on a six-monthly cycle.

With the homeless and rough sleepers due to leave accommodation by September,

Can the public have confidence that this will  not be more than a talking shop and  will actually deliver results?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.111   The Homeless Reduction Board governance arrangements will ensure we capture work being done and engage collaboratively to keep a focused and deliverable approach over the lifetime of the strategy. 

 

Whilst we have immediate challenges following Covid 19 in relation to rough sleepers on which we remain in regular discussion with Government, in particular concerning funding, this is only one aspect of the overall strategy which covers a 5-year period and focuses on all aspects of homelessness.

  

The governance of the strategy will reflect the model used for the Housing Supply Member Board, with the addition of the chair of the Health & Wellbeing board as non-voting member. The supply member board works efficiently and it is envisaged that replicating this model will enable a clear focus to drive towards achieving outcomes.

The Strategy and Action Plan shall be referred to the Housing Committee and so members will have oversight to monitor progress against the Action Plan.

The composition of the Board includes cross party members in addition to non-voting members from CCG, Probation and prison services, Health, police and the Chair of Health & Wellbeing Board as well as Executive Directors to cover Families, Children & Learning Adult Social care. These are senior representatives who will enable the Board to remain focused and have effective challenge.

 

(56)    Councillor Rainey: Street Trees

 

20.112   The loss of street trees in Brighton and Hove is an ongoing problem and stumps rather than trees feature in many of the city’s streets including numerous streets in Queens Park ward. Residents have offered to raise money for replacement trees and to sponsor new trees, and the Woodland Trust has offered donated trees. However, the infrastructure does not seem to be in place for these offers to be taken up. Please can the Chair of ETS explain how provision can be put in place for the stumps of street trees to be replaced by new trees, if money has been raised by residents and/or charities to cover the cost of removing stumps and buying and planting new trees?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.113   In the past Cityparks has had a few requests each year for donation trees in parks and occasional requests for donations on streets as a response to the increase interest in this and the anticipated increase in donations a full time and a part time post have been agreed to facilitate this. These posts were agreed at budget council but as a result of Covid 19 have not yet been filled and are unlikely to be filled prior to October. Having started the financial year with a plan to expand the ability to facilitate donations the effect of Covid has been to delay recruitment to these posts and severely restricted the amount of administrative support the arboricultural team has had.  ETS committee agreed a scheme to replace stumps with trees across the City and provided £200k for this purpose.

 

I am afraid to say that we now have the added problem of a serious outbreak of elm disease taking arboricultural staff away from planning tree planting. Staff from elsewhere in Cityparks have been tasked with facilitating the Carden Park scheme but this cannot be done for street tree planting and we will not be able to deal with the level of interest until these posts are filled.

 

(57)    Councillor Rainey: Public Playgrounds

 

20.114   Public playgrounds have been closed for the duration of lockdown and only began to re-open last week. During this time some playgrounds have fallen into disrepair and desperately need to be improved if they are to be enjoyed safely by Brighton and Hove’s children. Does the administration have a schedule of improvements planned for the city’s playgrounds and if so when will it start to be implemented?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.115   The Administration does have a schedule of improvements to playgrounds but implementation has been slowed following the officer leading on this project transferring to another post within the council. Major works are principally funded through planning gain and in the next two years the 15 playgrounds listed below are due for significant improvement

 

Outside of this plan other improvements are being made with the help of donations from groups and individuals. Work on a new playground at Stanmer Park funded by a member of the public is just about to start and organisations such as Parklife are likely to make improvements in the Saltdean, Rottingdean and Ovingdean areas.

 

Blakers Park BN1 6FF

Carden Park, BN1 8LE

Chalk Pit (Warrior Close)  BN41 2HW

Easthill Park, BN1 8NE

Hollingbury Park  BN1 6JL

Mackie Avenue BN1 8TS

Preston Park BN1 6HJ

Queens Park BN2 2GE

St Ann’s Well Gardens BN3 1PP

Saltdean Oval BN2 8SJ

Saunders Park BN2 4AE

Tarner Park, BN2 0AR

Whitehawk way BN2 5FW

Woodingdean Central Park BN2 6UB

Woollards Field BN1 6JD

 

(58)    Councillor Rainey: Children’s Mental Health

 

20.116   Lockdown has been a challenging time for everybody, but children and young people have been particularly affected. Schools and colleges being closed and lack of opportunities to socialise mean that children and young people are suffering from social isolation and have become increasingly reliant on screen-based activities and social media, leading to an increase in mental health problems. There has been a significant increase in eating disorders in particular among young people during lockdown. What actions are the administration taking to address this increased need for mental health support for children and young people post-lockdown?

 

Reply from Councillor Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee

         

20.117   As a local authority we are working closely with our colleagues in the CCG and SPFT on a ‘Restoration and Recovery’ piece of work that focusses on children and young people’s mental health and well being post lockdown. The Emotional Mental Health and Wellbeing task and finish group will be meeting fortnightly to review existing priorities within our organisational plans for delivery in 2020/21 and ensuring our existing services can meet these priorities for our children and young people going forward.

 

As part of this work we will be analysing the available data to inform our planning. Currently we have no specific data around impact of Covid19 on children and young people in Brighton and Hove. Therefore, we are not clear as to whether there is a causal link between children and young people with restrictions on social contact engaging in an increased amount of screen-based activity or social media, which is then leading to an increased mental health problems. However, it is our intention, through the group, to review any available data that could identify the impact of Covid19 on our children and young people’s mental health. We will use the national data and local data (where available) and performance of our current service providers to indicate any issues/concerns or areas of impact for consideration/mitigation in terms of COVID impact.

 

We will also be working with our providers to understand service user experience to ensure we have a good understanding of how lockdown has impacted upon their mental health and access to services.

 

A recovery and restoration plan that takes into account all of the above will be produced by the task and finish group and will be reported back to the Children and Young People’s Recovery and Renewal working group who will monitor progress.

 

It is also important to note that throughout lockdown Brighton and Hove’s Inclusion Support Service have offered support to families, children and young people through a range of different interventions and strategies. They have also linked with youth groups, school nurses and other organisations in order to publicise our offers and offer referral routes.

 

These offers will be built upon over the summer, with the addition of art-based projects and ‘walk and talk’ activities.  These being aimed at supporting children and young people who are feeling anxious or concerned around returning to school.

 

We have not yet been approached for support around eating concerns as yet, but the BHISS team are happy to work with the CCG and our colleagues in SPFT to look at how we might support with this moving forward.

 

 

 

 

 

(59)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.118   How many properties bought under the home purchase policy in 19/20 were bought with support from the rent reserve and how much of the rent reserve was used up?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.119   Of the 43 properties the Council completed purchase on during 2019/20, seven of them were purchased using £0.249m (or 12%) of the £2.06m rent reserve.

 

This leaves a balance of £1.811m to use over the coming financial years.

 

Use of rent reserve to support home purchases was agreed by Housing Committee in September 2019, and so only applied to purchases made after that date.  All purchases still need to represent value for money, so rent reserve is only used up to a certain value.

 

(60)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.120   For each of the years 17/18, 18/19 and 19/20, what was

a)     Parking enforcement income

b)     On street parking charge income

c)     Off street parking charge income

d)     CPZ Permit income

e)     Parking enforcement costs

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.121    

 

On-Street Parking Surplus
Income by source	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20
On-street parking charges	£10,839,586	£11,441,854	£11,558,889
Permit income	£9,252,061	£9,589,716	£10,081,467
Penalty Charge Notices (including bad debt provision)	£3,852,449	£5,832,784	£5,744,489
Other income	£36,338	£95,985	£78,841
Total	£23,980,433	£26,960,340	£27,463,686
Direct cost of civil parking enforcement	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20
Enforcement	£3,620,476	£4,601,931	£4,928,865
Admin, appeals, debt recovery and maintenance	£3,371,630	£3,238,111	£3,528,637
Scheme review / new schemes	£767,569	£1,076,960	£1,239,479
Capital charges	£1,010,833	£1,261,186	£1,265,915
Total	£8,770,508	£10,178,188	£10,962,896
Surplus after direct costs	£15,209,925	£16,782,152	£16,500,790

 

(61)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.122   How many new CPZ permits issued in the financial year between 1^st April and the 15^th of July? And of these how many were issued to households on council tax benefit at the lower rates? (i.e. the number not passing on the full increase agreed at budget council)?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.123   Between 01/04/2020 and 15/07/2020 we have issued 11,805 resident permits.

 

We do not currently have the ability to record those residents paying reduced council tax, this facility to produce this information is being developed to begin operation in late August.

 

 

 

 

(62)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.124   As of 20^th July, how many additional staff have been taken on to administer the concessionary full CPZ charges?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.125   This is within Appendix 4 of the Targeted Budget Management (TBM) Report Provisional Outturn 2019/20 to 9 July 2020 Policy & Resources committee.  Please see pages 128 to 131 which sets out headline details on the EEC underspend of £1.574 million.

 

This summarises that within Parking Services this is substantially due to higher than budgeted Penalty Charge Notice income of £1.050m where bus lane enforcement has continued to generate a higher number of PCNs than anticipated; parking suspension income of £0.667m and on-street parking income of £0.204m.  A range of other less significant variances contribute to a net underspend of £0.235m.

 

(63)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.126   The 19/20 budget provisional out turn shows an underspend of £1.574m primarily due to “over achievement on income streams from parking and commercial rents” Can the amount of the parking overachievement be broken down into its separate elements (i.e. between on street, off street, enforcement and CPZ and can the amount of additional commercial rent income over budget?

 

Reply from Councillor Wilkinson, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

 

20.127   This is within Appendix 4 of the Targeted Budget Management (TBM) Report Provisional Outturn 2019/20 to 9 July 2020 Policy & Resources committee.  Please see pages 128 to 131 which sets out headline details on the EEC underspend of £1.574 million.

 

This summarises that within Parking Services this is substantially due to higher than budgeted Penalty Charge Notice income of £1.050m where bus lane enforcement has continued to generate a higher number of PCNs than anticipated; parking suspension income of £0.667m and on-street parking income of £0.204m.  A range of other less significant variances contribute to a net underspend of £0.235m.

 

(64)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.128   As of the 20th of July, what is the total number housed in hotels, student halls and of: Please provide a breakdown of the outcomes (as of the 6th July) for homeless people accommodated in hotels, student accommodation symptomatic and ex symptomatic accommodation who have been housed since 18th March

a)   Verified rough sleepers

b)    Other homeless people housed to avoid rough sleeping

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.129   We are currently finalising and verifying this data.

Information requested for Policy & Resources Committee as of the 6^th of July was provided for the meeting of 9 July. Information ‘as of 20 July’ cannot be provided and verified within the timing allowed for consideration of responses ahead of release for Council on 23 July. 

Policy & Resources Committee on 9 July agreed to the setting up of the Homelessness Reduction Board. 

The first meeting of this Board is currently scheduled for the 29^th July.

We propose to bring a full update on progress on our response to homelessness & rough sleeping under the Covid-19 emergency, including a response to this question, to the first meeting of the Homelessness Reduction Board.

 

(65)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.130   As of 20th of July, how many Personal Housing Plans had housing options completed since beginning of April for verified rough sleepers and how many are outstanding?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.131   We are currently finalising and verifying this data.

 

Information requested for Policy & Resources Committee as of the 6^th of July was provided for the meeting of 9 July. Information ‘as of 20 July’ cannot be provided and verified within the timing allowed for consideration of responses ahead of release for Council on 23 July. 

 

Policy & Resources Committee on 9 July agreed to the setting up of the Homelessness Reduction Board. 

 

The first meeting of this Board is currently scheduled for the 29^th July.

 

We propose to bring a full update on progress on our response to homelessness & rough sleeping under the Covid-19 emergency, including a response to this question, to the first meeting of the Homelessness Reduction Board.

 

(66)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.132   As of 20th of July

a) How many verified rough sleepers and other homeless households have no local connection and can be safely reconnected?

b) Since 18th of March how many verified Rough sleepers and how many other homeless households or individuals have been safely reconnected?

c) How many safe reconnections need to take place between 20^th July and the 4^th of September each week to safely reconnect all those without local connection qualifying for safe reconnection?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.133   We are currently finalising and verifying this data. Information requested for Policy & Resources Committee as of the 6^th of July was provided for the meeting of 9 July. Information ‘as of 20 July’ cannot be provided and verified within the timing allowed for consideration of responses ahead of release for Council on 23 July. 

 

Policy & Resources Committee on 9 July agreed to the setting up of the Homelessness Reduction Board. 

 

The first meeting of this Board is currently scheduled for the 29^th July.

 

We propose to bring a full update on progress on our response to homelessness & rough sleeping under the Covid-19 emergency, including a response to this question, to the first meeting of the Homelessness Reduction Board.

 

(67)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.134   As of the 20th of July, how many accommodated in Hotels, student accommodation, symptomatic and ex symptomatic accommodation? And how many are receiving of rent support payments?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.135   We are currently finalising and verifying this data.

 

Information requested for Policy & Resources Committee as of the 6^th of July was provided for the meeting of 9 July. Information ‘as of 20 July’ cannot be provided and verified within the timing allowed for consideration of responses ahead of release for Council on 23 July. 

 

Policy & Resources Committee on 9 July agreed to the setting up of the Homelessness Reduction Board. 

 

The first meeting of this Board is currently scheduled for the 29^th July.

 

We propose to bring a full update on progress on our response to homelessness & rough sleeping under the Covid-19 emergency, including a response to this question, to the first meeting of the Homelessness Reduction Board.

 

(68)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.136   Please provide an update to the information in the same categories provided to PR (9^th July)  of the outcomes (as of the 20th July) for homeless people accommodated in hotels, student accommodation symptomatic and ex symptomatic accommodation who have been housed since 18th March?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.137   We are currently finalising and verifying this data.

 

Information requested for Policy & Resources Committee as of the 6^th of July was provided for the meeting of 9 July. Information ‘as of 20 July’ cannot be provided and verified within the timing allowed for consideration of responses ahead of release for Council on 23 July. 

 

Policy & Resources Committee on 9 July agreed to the setting up of the Homelessness Reduction Board. 

 

The first meeting of this Board is currently scheduled for the 29^th July.

 

We propose to bring a full update on progress on our response to homelessness & rough sleeping under the Covid-19 emergency, including a response to this question, to the first meeting of the Homelessness Reduction Board.

 

(69)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.138   Given the answer provided to July’s PR showed that the rate that BHCC has rehoused verified rough sleepers has been under 5 a week and safe reconnections have been around 1 a week totalling 6 a week overall since 18^th of March and given that on average there are currently around 10 new rough sleepers being accommodated each week, how many verified rough sleepers is it estimated that BHCC would need to provide accommodation for each week up until the end date of the current hotel contracts (at the beginning of September) to house existing rough sleepers and projected newly discovered?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.139   We are currently finalising and verifying this data.

 

Information requested for Policy & Resources Committee as of the 6^th of July was provided for the meeting of 9 July. Information ‘as of 20 July’ cannot be provided and verified within the timing allowed for consideration of responses ahead of release for Council on 23 July. 

 

Policy & Resources Committee on 9 July agreed to the setting up of the Homelessness Reduction Board. 

 

The first meeting of this Board is currently scheduled for the 29^th July.

 

We propose to bring a full update on progress on our response to homelessness & rough sleeping under the Covid-19 emergency, including a response to this question, to the first meeting of the Homelessness Reduction Board.

 

(70)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.140   The answer to PR on the 9^th of July indicated that up to 6^th of July 62 rough sleepers had been housed in supported accommodation and that 16 rough sleepers  had been safely reconnected, please can you provide a breakdown showing numbers housed in each of the different supported accommodation facilities and please can you indicate who managed these 16 reconnections and list the different destinations people were reconnected to?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.141    

 

Please see supported housing breakdown below.   Agency/Service # of Move-ins The Circle 5 Community Moves 1 Coracle 3 Lower Rock Garden 2 Glenwood Lodge 7 New Stein Mews 3 George William Mews - Medium 2 George William Mews - Low 1 Phase One 8 St. Pats 19 Equinox Women’s Project 1 William Collier House 10 Total 62 Reconnections were managed jointly with St Mungo’s and Housing options as part of the single service offer. Below are the destinations people were reconnected to. Location Number of reconnections Romania 1 Newhaven 1 Kent/Medway 2 Newham 1 Cornwall 1 Bulgaria 1 Eastbourne 2 Bayswater 1 Dorset 1 Wiltshire 1 Littlehampton 1 Birmingham 2 Belfast 1 Total 16

 

(71)    Councillor Gibson

 

20.142   As of 20^th of July how many verified rough sleepers have been housed in phoenix halls and how many have been housed in other emergency accommodation?

 

Reply from Councillor Williams, Chair of the Housing Committee

 

20.143   We are currently finalising and verifying this data.

 

Information requested for Policy & Resources Committee as of the 6^th of July was provided for the meeting of 9 July. Information ‘as of 20 July’ cannot be provided and verified within the timing allowed for consideration of responses ahead of release for Council on 23 July. 

 

Policy & Resources Committee on 9 July agreed to the setting up of the Homelessness Reduction Board. 

 

The first meeting of this Board is currently scheduled for the 29^th July.

 

We propose to bring a full update on progress on our response to homelessness & rough sleeping under the Covid-19 emergency, including a response to this question, to the first meeting of the Homelessness Reduction Board.