Agenda item

Standing orders were suspended to allow full discussion for this item.

Members asked questions of Portfolio Holders in accordance with Procedure Rules 8.1 and 8.2 as follows;

·         Councillor Mason asked Councillor Mrs Laws what actions had been taking in the Private Rented Sector under the Housing Improvement Plan. Councillor Mrs Laws explained that one of the actions in the plan approved by Cabinet identified the need for broader engagement opportunities and support for landlords. She explained that she had attended a Landlord Engagement event organised by the Council’s Housing Team and Trailblazer Project on 29^th November 2018 at the Boathouse, Wisbech. The event helped inform landlords of current legal obligations and to support the supply of good quality, well managed and safe rental accommodation for tenants. The event included presentations from the National Landlord Association, advice in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) by the Council’s Private Sector Housing team and advice in relation to taxation by MacIntyre Hudson. Also in attendance were the DWP who gave a presentation on Universal Credit specifically aimed at landlords. There was also a selection of stands from local businesses and services providing professional advice and information for attendees. Positive feedback was received from the National Landlord Association Representative. Councillor Mrs Laws said the information, guidance and advice was of great use and many attendees had travelled a long way to attend therefore showing the value of the information on offer. She thanked Sarah Gove, Jo Evans and the Private Sector Housing team for their hard work organising the event.

·         Councillor Mrs French explained that there is a persistent issue with fly-tipping in Lambs Drove and asked Councillor Murphy if the Council had approached Cambridgeshire County Council and Landowners to explore the option of installing a barrier to prevent this from happening. She asked how many times the Council have removed fly-tipping from this location and what the associated cost has been. Councillor Murphy explained that a barrier cannot be installed across the road, as residents have a right of way and access. He confirmed that it is an ongoing issue both on Fenland District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council land. He was unaware of the costs associated with the removal of this fly-tipping.

·         Councillor Tibbs asked Councillor Oliver for an update on the Wisbech Vehicle Exchange. Councillor Oliver said he was not aware of any further update but agreed to inform Councillor Tibbs as soon as he had one.

·         Councillor Booth asked Councillor Oliver for the default rate of enforcement action taken as part of the Wisbech Alcohol Project and how successful the Project has been in stopping street drinkers. Councillor Oliver explained that the Council are currently exploring other methods to prevent street drinking, as the current enforcement action is not as good a deterrent as hoped. The collection rate across all Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) is 67%, but data is not available to show the breakdown of offences. He said whilst the issuing of FPN’s is part of the Council’s toolkit, they are exploring other ways to deter street drinkers.

·         Councillor Booth asked Councillor Oliver that an update on FACT is included in future Portfolio Holder reports. He explained that the Corporate Governance Committee had received a report at the meeting of 20^th November 2018 and asked that this information is made public. Councillor Oliver agreed.

·         Councillor Benney asked Councillor Mrs Laws for an update on the Rough Sleepers count that took place on 23^rd November 2018. Councillor Mrs Laws explained that the Council is required to provide an annual estimate of rough sleepers within their area and this was carried out on 23^rd November 2018. She confirmed that she attended the count along with the Housing Options team, Ferry Project, the Police, an independent verifier and Councillor Hoy and Councillor Connor. They visited locations where the Council has seen or had reports of rough sleepers. Nationally the number of rough sleepers is increasing, with Fenland being no exception seeing an increase from 9 rough sleepers last year to 23 rough sleepers this year. Many of these individuals have complex issues, including issues with alcohol and mental health which means finding solutions can be challenging. Councillor Mrs Laws said that she was reassured by the work carried out by the Council in tackling this increase and explained that the Council have made a successful bid to government under the Controlling Migration Fund, for two years’ worth of funding for a full-time Migrant Outreach officer. The focus is on engagement, guidance to support services, dealing with voluntary repatriation and getting people in to work and this funding comes to an end in March 2019.  She highlighted that the Council work closely with partners and The Ferry Project made a successful bid for additional spaces at the night shelter as part of a range of solutions for rough sleepers. Along with this the Council made contact with Ministry’s specialist advisor on rough sleeping. As a result, 3 bids were submitted in November 2018 relating to rough sleepers; Firstly a further bid to the Controlling Migration Fund for a Migrant Outreach Worker and complex needs worker as well as Department of Work and Pensions advocate to help unlock benefits for those who are entitled to receive it. Secondly, a Rapid Rehousing Pathway bid for a Day Centre facility within Ferry Project with Community Mental Health nurse support, a Migrant Outreach Worker and complex needs worker and Department of Work and Pensions advocate. Thirdly, a cold weather provision bid where the Council have been successful in securing an additional £10,000 to support emergency provision. This will be used to extend the emergency accommodation provision and temporary accommodation via the Ferry Project as well as fund private rented accommodation via our outreach worker. Councillor Mrs Laws thanked the Housing Options team for their hard work on this issue and said following feedback from the independent verifier, the Council are engaging with two other Local Authorities to take advice on how other Councils are tackling and reducing the number of rough sleepers.

·         Councillor Owen stated that many rough sleepers are not willing to engage with the Council, which in turn creates a negative public perception of the Council’s work supporting rough sleepers. Councillor Mrs Laws agreed with this and said not everybody wants assistance and all the Council can do is offer them support and advice on the services available to them.

·         Councillor Mrs French asked Councillor Mrs Laws why housing inspections are only carried out in Wisbech. Councillor Mrs Laws explained that through the work of the Outreach team, the majority of rough sleepers were identified as being in Wisbech. There have been none identified in Chatteris, 2 identified in Whittlesey on Private Land who have refused help and 1 was recently reported in March; however this was after the count.

·         Councillor Hoy highlighted that whilst there were a large number of people on the count who refused help, there were also a number of people that were not eligible for support from other services. She asked Councillor Mrs Laws to discuss this with the other Local Authorities. Councillor Mrs Laws agreed to engage with the other Councils in relation to this and agreed that there are areas that need improvement.

·         Councillor Hoy thanked Councillor Mrs Laws for inviting her to the count and all the hard work she has put into this. She added thanks for the information Councillor Mrs Laws provided to her after the count.

·         Councillor Booth asked Councillor Seaton to ensure the Council maintains contact with the Internal Drainage Boards in relation to the Wisbech Garden Town Project, as they have not had contact from the Council since July 2018. Councillor Seaton confirmed that he and the Chief Executive are aware of this.

·         Councillor Tierney thanked members of Cabinet for their work this year and said he is aware of the difficult decisions they have to make. He asked members of Cabinet to provide information to members earlier in future to ensure members are kept fully informed. Councillor Seaton agreed that where possible, members will receive information earlier in the future.