Agenda and minutes

(Director of Governance) To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

It was noted that Councillor R Brookes was substituting for Councillor A Beales.

(Director of Governance) To agree the notes of the meeting of the Select Committee held on 21 November 2016.

RESOLVED:

That the notes of the last meeting of the Select Committee held on 21 November 2016, be agreed.

(Director of Governance). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a pecuniary or a non-pecuniary interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 9 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a non-pecuniary interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 9 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

There were no declarations of interest made pursuant to the Member’s Code of Conduct.

(Chairman / Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the Terms of Reference of this Committee. This is attached along with an ongoing work

programme. Members are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

(a)          Terms of Reference

The Select Committee’s Terms of Reference were noted.

(b)          Work Programme

The Select Committee’s Work Programme was noted.

(Director of Communities) To receive a presentation by Epping Forest Citizens Advice Bureau, please see the attached report.

The Committee received a presentation from officers of the Epping Forest Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) outlining their value and impact on society especially in the Epping Forest District area. The CAB officers attending were Rachel Poulter, the District Manager and Rachel Kelly one of their Debt/Money Advisors.

The Committee noted that during 2015/16 the CAB service for Epping Forest had advised 2,761 clients on 8,061 issues. They had 9 part time staff and 52 volunteers working in 6 locations and were one of over 300 independent charities that made up the Citizens Advice network. Nationally, 2 in every 3 clients had their problems solved. And it was noted that they were now offering “web chat” in the Epping Forest area.

They worked with some of those most in need, some 38% of their clients were less likely to be in employment; 35% were likely to be in debt; 39% had a long term health problem or were disabled; and 26% were less likely to own their own homes.

They gave examples of some clients’ stories giving case history and eventual outcome. It was noted that 78% of their clients said that they would not have been able to resolve their problem without the CAB. They also had an impact on their clients’ health and wellbeing, most significantly around mental health. 4 in 5 clients felt less stressed, depressed or anxious following advice.

During April and September 2016 the two Debt Advisors had 253 client appointments assisting with 680 debt problems amounting to £734,000. General debt advice was given to a further 517 clients.

They played a vital role in ensuring people paid their priority bills first (such as rent, council tax and fuel payments).  Many of their clients also require and receive Benefits and or Housing Advice. They were also looking to do more work on budgeting in schools, giving pupils a good grounding in personal finance.

The CAB also offers advice on the welfare system such as benefits or tax credit problems, with 438 clients gaining a new award or an increase to their benefits worth an average of £6,200 per client. Maximising income helps clients by reducing their financial difficulties, promoted inclusion and benefited the economy, preventing the need for more critical and costly state intervention.

They also worked closely with the Council’s Homelessness Prevention Team. Their knowledge of legal rights and local processes was vital, especially in helping to formally or informally de-escalate situations where someone was in danger of losing their home.

The CAB also aimed to carry out research and campaigns in the privately rented sector and by listening carefully to people who go to them. Looking at their own data and gaining insights can spot emerging issues, polices and practices and regulation that were not delivering. They campaigned around issues affecting the local community and also come together nationally where they had a voice to really change things. One of their reports was around affordable rental properties and Ms Poulter had concluded that “this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

(Director of Communities) To consider the attached report.

The Assistant Director (Housing Operations), Roger Wilson, introduced the report for the extension of funding of two Epping Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Debt Advisors. He explained that the Finance and Performance Management Cabinet Committee had agreed to extend the funding for these two posts until end March 2017.

The CAB had reported that during the first six months of 2015/16 the Advisors managed debts of around £713,000 and assisted 304 clients.  Around 97 (32%) of these clients were Council tenants. The CAB was required under the Agreement to have one Debt Advisor based at the Limes Centre, Chigwell for one half day each week. The CAB extended this service to 2 half days each week in 2015.  The CAB had reported that in the first 6 months of 2015/2016, around 120 (40%) of the clients assisted were first seen at the Limes Centre.

Bearing in mind the expected reductions in the overall national Welfare Budget, there will be an increased need for residents to receive continued support around personal budgeting and debt advice. Such advice may reduce the risk of some households presenting to the Council as homeless, resulting in savings in costly bed and breakfast, hostel or even temporary/interim accommodation in the Council’s own stock. 

Councillor Surtees commented that it was essential that this service was continued as this contributed to the welfare and mental health of people and he strongly supported this.

Councillor Lea wondered how we could continue supporting in the future with all the cut backs. This should be reviewed each year. The Director of Communities replied that this funding would provide a lot of savings. By using the CAB this would save the Council money, but it was difficult to quantify. Only by cutting the funding would we know the effect it would have on our budgets.

Councillor Shiell thought that they all agreed that this funding was vital, but she would also like the CAB to do more fundraising. Mr Marshall said that Ms Poulter was aware of this and was looking to do this in the coming year.

Councillor Surtees said it was also the responsibility of this committee to consider the problems we had and what we could do about them. Mr Hall said that the next big thing was the introduction of the Universal Credit. Some preliminary figures suggest that in area when this had been introduced 85% of tenants were in arrears with their rent in comparison of 39% in other areas. Also the amount owed had doubled in areas with Universal Credit.

Councillor Stavrou noted the questions raised and the response and the affect of homelessness on people. But here were lots of competing bids for our pot of money and wondered if the CAB should get all the money when we did not have the accommodation for the homeless to be put into. Very difficult decisions would be coming our way in the near future and we should be cautious.

Mr Marshall said that it was vital that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

(Director of Communities) to consider the attached report.

The report on the last years Reality Road show was introduced by Ms Gold the Assistant Communities Health and Wellbeing Manager. She reported that the Reality Roadshow initiative was a personal safety, health & wellbeing event that brought together a host of statutory and voluntary agencies, to deliver a full day of educational workshops to Year 9 (14 year old) pupils at secondary school in the district. It was specifically tailored to address young people’s issues that have been identified as a priority concern locally.

The Roadshow was co-ordinated by the Council’s Community Health and Wellbeing Team providing over 900 pupils in the District with expert advice and guidance on making the right choices in life for good health and wellbeing.

Pupils participated in either 5 or 6 sessions depending on individual school timetables and each session was specifically designed to address current issues facing local young people. These workshops were:

·         The consequences of Crime – delivered by Essex magistrates;

·         Online Internet safety – Essex Police;

·         Sexual Health – Essex County Council;

·         Legal Highs and Substance Misuse – Alcohol & Drugs Advisory Service;

·         Alcohol Awareness – AlcoHELP;

·         Healthy Relationships and Domestic Abuse – Safer Places;

·         Gangs and Peer Pressure – Sparks 2 Life.

Real life advice was provided by ex-offenders and ex-addicts relating their stories.

The schools were not charged for the Roadshow as they were funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and Essex County Council.

The Reality Roadshow was delivered to the following schools – Davenant Foundation School, Debden Park High School, Epping St Johns School, King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy, Roding Valley High School and West Hatch School. The Ongar Academy will be incorporated into the Reality Roadshow annual programme during the academic year of 2017/18.

Each participating Year 9 pupil was required to complete an anonymous feedback questionnaire and every teacher involved was asked to feedback on the scenario they had attended.  Usually the feedback was very positive and teaching staff were delighted with the additional support and information that they gained from the day.

Councillor Girling asked if any information was passed on to the parents and was there anything covered on mental illness. Ms Gold said that they did send a letter to the parents giving background information and yes, they did do items on mental health. There was a recurring theme on bullying throughout the day.

Councillor Stavrou asked if this replaced the Crucial Crew Programme. She was told that it did not. Crucial Crew was a separate programme run for younger Year 6 pupils.

Councillor Surtees asked if there was any feedback from the Youth Council. He was told that there was no recent feedback but they did get consulted regularly. Councillor Surtees went on to ask if the mental health items did anything on anti-stigmatizing. Ms Gold said that they concentrated on exam stress but there was a further workshop that went deeper into this, but it was held separately. This was a big thing now both locally and nationally.

Councillor Girling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

(Director of Communities) to consider the attached report.

The report on the Homeless Initiatives was introduced by the Assistant Director, (Housing Operations), Roger Wilson.

The Committee was asked as part of their Work Programme to consider various mitigation strategies in order to deal with the current and future increasing pressures due to the rise in homelessness.  The latest figures on homelessness in England reveal that nationally the total number of households in temporary accommodation had increased by 53% from 48,010 in December 2010 to 73,120 in June 2016, with 14,930 households being accepted as homeless between 1 July and 30 September 2016. Local Authorities took action to prevent a further 52,920 households becoming homeless in the same period which increased by over 2,000 compared to the previous quarter.    

The Committee was asked to consider strategies for the Homelessness Prevention Service. In 2015/2016 the service prevented homelessness in 625 cases.  The number of cases being prevented in the first six months of this year was 264 which may result in a lesser number being prevented in 2016/2017.  This was due to the difficulties being experienced by the Team in being able to place applicants in the private rented sector which had resulted in the number of homelessness acceptances increasing from 52 in 2014/2015 to 71 in 2015/2016 and the numbers placed in temporary accommodation increasing from 74 in 2014/2015 to 111 in the second quarter of 2016/2017.  

As at 30 September 2016 (date of the last Government statistical return) there were 111 applicants placed in both temporary and interim accommodation which has resulted in the homeless persons’ hostel at Norway House, North Weald and Hemnall House, Epping being full most of the time. In order to increase the number of applicants being able to be accommodated at Norway House, officers were investigating the possibility of dividing up some of the larger rooms at the hostel to provide greater flexibility of use.  Furthermore, as the chalets in the grounds of the Hostel were falling into disrepair, the option of replacing the chalets with “modular units” was being investigated which may enable the Council to increase the number of units in a more cost effective way. It may also be possible to use such accommodation in other areas.

Genesis Housing Association, under the Housing Association Leasing Direct Scheme (HALD), originally provided 20 units of accommodation for our homeless applicants.  However, as private landlords are becoming increasingly reluctant to lease their properties in this way, Genesis now only has 15 units of accommodation, all of which were now occupied.   

The Council also provided bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation for predominantly single homeless applicants and has a contract with a number of Hotels who were selected following a 3 yearly competitive tendering exercise which had taken place now on 2 occasions.  The numbers placed in B&B had increased from single figures to around 20-25 applicants.  Under Government Regulations, the Council should not place families in such accommodation for more than 6 weeks. 

It is important to note that over recent months  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

(Director of Communities) to consider the attached report.

The Director of Communities, Alan Hall gave a short briefing about the required rent reductions for Council tenants for 2017/18 and explained that the Finance and Performance Management Cabinet Committee, at their meeting on 19 January 2017 would be asked to make a recommendation to the Cabinet on a Council rent reduction for 2017/18.

The Government had determined that all councils must reduce their rent by 1% each year for four years. This started last year, leaving the Council with an estimated £390,000 less rental income in the current year.

A reduction of 1% for next year would mean a further £303,000 forecast reduction for the next year; the reduction for next year would be less than for the current year as the first new properties under the Council Housebuilding Programme would be built next year, bringing in additional income.

It was noted that although this was generally good news for tenants, it would leave the HRA with less money to deliver the Council’s Housing Service.

Mr Marshall asked if the potentially increased number of sales of council properties that would have arisen if the Government’s Pay to Stay policy had been introduced and had been factored into the budget. He was told that since the Government had recently decided to abandon its compulsory scheme, no increased sales had been included in the forecasts.

Councillor Stavrou asked if the loss of income from the rent reductions were the compound reduction over the two years. She was told that it was. It would be a total of £693,000 over the two year period.

RESOLVED:

The Committee noted the recommendation being made to the Finance and Performance Management Cabinet Committee for recommendation on to the Cabinet on the Council rent reduction for 2017/18.

(Director of Communities) to consider the attached report.

Mr Hall introduced the report on the 12 Month progress report on the Housing Strategy Key Action Plan. He explained that the purpose of the Strategy was to assess the District’s current and future housing needs and to set out the Council’s approach to meeting those needs. This Committee was charged by the Cabinet to monitor the Action Plan associated with the Strategy on a six monthly basis.

Officers were now working on a new Housing Strategy and it was hoped that a draft Strategy would be ready for consideration at the next meeting of this Committee.

Action Plan comments:

Item 1: Mr Hall explained that the timescale for this should be changed to read September 2017 and not remain as April 2017;

Item 10: Councillor Brookes asked if the Council was selling the Council’s garage site adjacent to the Sir Winston Churchill PH site to Higgins Homes. She was told that the Cabinet had agreed to make this land available to provide the majority of car parking spaces for the occupiers of this new development;

Item 14: Mr Hall explained that the timescale should be revised to September 2017 and not remain as April 2017;

Item 34: Councillor Brookes asked why Lindsay House, Epping had been empty for so long. She was told that the Neighbourhoods Directorate was dealing with the sale of this property. It was explained that this property had been taken out of the deal with Essex County Council and the Council now intended to sell Lindsay House on the open market. A report would be going to the next Cabinet meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the 12 Month Progress Report on the Housing Strategy Key Action Plan 2016 was reviewed and noted.

To consider which reports are ready to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting.

The Committee thought that a brief summary of the two main reports considered at this meeting, on the CAB and grant funding and the Homeless Initiative should be reported back to the next Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To note the next meeting of this Select Committee will be held on 14 March 2017.

The Committee noted the dates of their future meetings.