LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
HOUSING, ECONOMY AND BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, 26TH NOVEMBER, 2013
7.30 pm at the
Civic Offices, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA
To all members of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee:-
Chair: Councillor Jayne McCoy Vice-Chair Councillor Richard Clifton Councillors: Malcolm Brown, Nick Emmerson, David Hicks, Gerry Jerome, Joyce Melican, Roger Roberts, Roger Thistle and Graham Tope
Substitutes: Councillors Pathumal Ali, Eric Allen, Tim Crowley and John Drage.
Ex Officio Councillor Ruth Dombey
Note This is a Council meeting held in public. Additional representations are at the invitation of the Chair of the Committee. If you are a relevant organisation and you wish to submit representations on a proposal contained within the reports to this agenda please submit a request via the Committee Manager three working days before the meeting date.
This meeting will be recorded and made available on the Council’s web site.
Niall Bolger Chief Executive Civic Offices St Nicholas Way SUTTON SM1 1EA
15 November 2013
Enquiries to: Angela Guest, Committee Manager. Tel:020 8770 5122, Email: [email protected]
Copies of reports are available in large print on request
CIVIC OFFICES, SUTTON GROUND FLOOR MEETING ROOMS
FIRE PRECAUTIONS
If there is a FIRE in the building the fire alarm will sound continuously. Leave the building immediately by the most direct route, either back through reception or the fire exit into Lower Square. Take your coat and any bags with you. Assemble in the car park in front of the Holiday Inn.
First Aid can be obtained from Civic Security in reception.
Toilet Toilet
Room 1
Toilet Toilet
Reception
Fire Room Room Room Room Exit 5 4 3 2
Fire Lower Square Exit Entrance
Holiday Inn Car Park
2 Reminder – Declaration of Interests
Members should consider the following interests and whether they have any they should declare.
Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
Where you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any business of the Authority at this meeting and you have either declared it beforehand in the Register of Members’ Interests or to the Monitoring Officer for entry in the Register you must state at this meeting that you have such an interest and then withdraw from the room or chamber where the meeting is being held whilst that business is considered.
Where you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any business of the Authority at this meeting and have not previously declared it you must declare the nature of that interest at this meeting and then withdraw from the room or chamber where the meeting is being held whilst that business is considered.
Other Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests
Where you have any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in any business at this meeting you must declare that interest, but may continue to speak and vote on the matter. However, if the interest is one which a member of the public, with knowledge of the relevant facts, would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice your judgement of the public interest then you should declare the interest and withdraw from the room or chamber where the meeting is being held whilst that business is considered.
Further information on these matters can be found in the Council's Code of Conduct and Constitution. If you are in any doubt as to whether you have an interest you should seek advice before the committee meeting from either Sanjay Prashar or Richard Shortman.
If, during the course of the committee meeting, you consider you may have an interest you should always declare it.
PLEASE NOTE: Any decision taken at this meeting does not become definitive until 10am on the third working day after the day of the meeting. Any four members of the Council may notify the Chief Executive by then if they require a decision to be reviewed by the full Council at its next meeting on 13 January 2014. Please contact the Committee Manager named on the Agenda frontsheet for further information.
AGENDA
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUC TIONS
2. APOLOGIES AND SUBSTI TUTES
3 3. MIN UTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING (Pages 1 - 6)
Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2013.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTE REST
5. RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT QUALITY STANDARD FRO M TPAS (TENANT PARTICIPATION ADVISORY SERVICE) (Pages 7 - 18)
To provide members of the Housing and Economic Business Committee with a summary of the results, following the successful accreditation of the TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service) Resident Involvement Quality Standard.
Attendees for this item will include: • Andrew Taylor, Chief Executive Sutton Housing Partnership • Mike Davies, Chair Sutton Housing Partnership • Emma Wallington – TPAS Consultant
A copy of the presentation can be read online from the day of the meeting at: http://sutton.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=450&MId=3424&Ver=4
Indicative time 30 minutes
6. EXCLUSION OF PRESS A ND PUBLIC
That, by virtue of Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, which would not be in the public interest.
7. REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS ON THE ROUNDSHAW ESTATE
Report for noting.
Attendees for this item will include: • Brian Johnson, Chief Executive Metropolitan Housing Association • Jane Ball , Regional Director Hyde Housing Association
Indicative time 20 minutes
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8. A REVIEW OF COUNCIL PROCUREMENT SPENDING AND ITS IMPACT ON SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (Pages 19 - 32)
This report explains how the Council's procurement report can be used to support local training and jobs.
Indicative time 15 minutes
9. ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL (Pages 33 - 50)
To set out recommended priorities. It also emphasises that enforcement is an important part of cross council area-based initiatives to improve the borough.
Indicative time 20 minutes
10. UPDATE ON SOCIAL REF ORM - CRISIS LOAN AND GRAN T SCHEME (Pages 51 - 98)
Update report of the Strategic Director, Resources.
Indicative time 15 minutes
11. ECONOMIC INDICATORS (Pages 99 - 124)
Report of the Executive Head for Economic Development, Planning and Sustainability for noting.
Indicative time 10 minutes
12. BEDDINGTON NEIGHBOUR HOOD AREA AND FORUM DESIG NATION (Pages 125 - 148)
This report sets out the process and results of consultation on the applications from the 'Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group' for formal designation of, (a) the neighbourhood area, and; (b) the neighbourhood forum for the purposes of producing a neighbourhood plan.
Indicative time 5 minutes
13. DELEGATED DECISIONS TAKEN SINCE THE LAST MEETING
To note any delegated decisions taken since the last meeting of this committee.
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14. TASK A ND FINISH GROUPS a. Allocations Policy Review (Pages 149 - 150)
To recommend the establishment of a Task & Finish group to review the Council's Housing Allocation Policy.
Indicative time 5 minutes
15. REFERENCES FROM C OUNCIL COMMITTEES OR OTHER OUTSIDE BODIES
16. ANY URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT T HE DIRECTION OF THE CHAIR
17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on 28 January 2014.
6 Page 1 Agenda Item 3 Housing, Economy and Business Committee 8 October 2013
HOUSING, ECONOMY AND BUSINESS COMMITTEE
8 October 2013 at 7.30 pm
MEMBERS : Councillor Jayne McCoy (Chair), Councillor Richard Clifton (Vice (*Absent) Chair) and Councillors Malcolm Brown, Nick Emmerson, David Hicks, Gerry Jerome, Joyce Melican, *Roger Roberts, Roger Thistle and *Graham Tope. Councillor *Ruth Dombey (ex -of ficio) Attended as Councillor John Drage Substitute
951. APOLOGIES AND SUBSTITUTES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Graham Tope and Roger Roberts. Councillor John Drage attended as a substitute.
952. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
Further to Minute 614/13 the Chair announced that the national Non Domestic Rate Appeals Panel was due to meet on 18 October 2013.
953. KIPPA BID RENEWAL - UPDATE
The Committee considered a report which sought the approval of a yes vote from the Council in the forthcoming ballot on the extension of the Business Improvement District (BID) for another five years.
Michael Cumper, Chair of the Kimpton Industrial Park Proprietors Association (KIPPA) explained the priorities for KIPPA and the work undertaken to improve access and security to the site as well as assistance provided to member businesses. He thanked Sutton Council officers for the excellent service received.
The Committee noted the excellent partnership working and congratulated KIPPA on their achievements.
Resolved: (i) To endorse the Kimpton Industrial Park Proprietors Association Business Improvement District renewal strategy.
(ii) To approve a yes vote for the BID proposal in the forthcoming ballot for all the Council’s hereditaments within the Kimpton Industrial Park.
(iii) To delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to exercise the vote for the Council’s hereditaments within the Kimpton Industrial Park
(iv) To note that if a majority of businesses in the KIPPA area by number and rateable value vote in support of the BID, the Council will be liable for an annual payment of the BID levy of £800.
954. ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION
The Committee considered a report which explained that on the 30 May 2013, the Government introduced permitted development rights for offices to convert to residential uses (i.e. without the need for a planning permission). It was therefore proposed that an Article 4 Direction be introduced to cover Sutton Town Centre
903 Agenda Item 3 Page 2 Housing, Economy and Business Committee 8 October 2013
which would reinstate a planning permission requirement for offices to convert to residential uses. The Council would consult owners and occupiers within the area on the proposed introduction of this direction. Subject to the results of the consultation, the Article 4 Direction would come into force 12 months after its confirmation. A non-immediate direction removes the permitted development right after a consultation has taken place and would mean that by giving 12 months notice that compensation for loss of development rights would not be payable.
The report stated that allowing permitted development rights for offices to residential uses would • Reduce future employment opportunities; • Mean the Council’s mixed-use site allocations will not come forward; • Reduce all-day demand for the Sutton’s retail and leisure facilities; • Mean the Council could not ask for affordable housing within developments; • Lead to sub-standard housing in terms of mix, size and design; and, • Lead to further pressure on infrastructure, particularly transport.
Resolved: (i) To approve the draft Non-immediate Permanent Article 4 Direction for Sutton Town Centre.
(ii) To grant authority for officers to undertake a consultation.
(iii) To delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods in conjunction with the Chair of Housing, Economy and Business Committee, to agree the implement of the direction if there were no material objections from the consultation.
955. EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS STRATEGY
The Committee discussed the Sutton Skills Match strategy and report (2013/2016). The strategy was a business-led employment strategy to match skills with demand in the borough. The Sutton Employment Support Taskforce (SEST) group had written the strategy and would resource and deliver the action plan. SEST consisted of local training and employment support providers, key council services, Jobcentre Plus, Sutton Chamber of Commerce and the community and voluntary sector to provide a co-ordinated approach to skills delivery in Sutton.
The strategy would address the mismatch between supply and demand through four high level strategic aims:
• plug skills gap and match skills with local demand • upskill residents in preparation for future growth sectors • ensure residents have basic employability skills • embed apprenticeships and traineeships
Sharon Greenaway, Carshalton College, described to the Committee how the college had been involved and how they had adapted courses/training to offer more technical as well as vocational skills. She explained how they would engage with employers to provide the right skills that employers were looking for. The college were also working with Job Centre Plus to set up a Network Club to work with people 50+ years of age to provide a professional network and re-training.
Resolved: To approve the ‘Sutton Skills Match’ employment and skills strategy.
(ii) To approve the targeted interventions that will form the delivery plan.
(iii) To delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Chair of Housing, Economy and Business Committee, to make any changes to the strategy following meetings of the Committee on 8 October 2013 and the Sutton Economic Support Taskforce on 14 October 2013.
904 Page 3 Agenda Item 3 Housing, Economy and Business Committee 8 October 2013
(iv) To thank Sharon Greenaway for her attendance and participation in the meeting.
956. COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION REVIEW
The Committee considered a report which set out the latest position in respect of the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme, which was introduced on 1 April 2013, and concluded that the scheme should remain unchanged for 2014/15.
The Executive Head of Business Services (Interim) gave a précis of the various groups of people affected by CTR and what the Council were doing to combat negative impacts on the most vulnerable. The forecast net financial impact of the scheme was a £4k surplus compared with the original estimate of a £141k deficit. Whilst collection rates were slightly down on last year the Executive Head was confident that the Council would achieve the budgeted collection rate.
Members discussed the option of a 12 monthly versus 10 monthly payment instalments for customers. It was considered that a 10 month instalment scheme was good for allowing extra space for those in hardship to pay off arrears and therefore should be kept.
Resolved: (i) To note the expected financial outturn of the Council Tax Reduction scheme.
(ii) That the scheme remains unchanged for 2014/15 with the exception of the annual uprating of applicable amounts from the beginning of the financial year 2014/15.
(iii) To note that a full review of the Council Tax Reduction scheme would take place in the financial year 2014/15.
(iv) That the Council continues to promote 12 monthly instalments to minimise customer hardship while maintaining the existing 10 monthly instalment for other customers.
(v) To commend the Executive Head of Business Services and her Team for the outstanding work achieved.
957. WELFARE REFORM UPDATE
The Committee considered a report which set out the impact on residents of Sutton in receipt of Housing Benefit where a reduction or benefit change was applied. The cumulative effect of the reforms would reduce the amount of support to meet rent and council tax payments that residents previously received by an estimated £1.9 million. This was from the reduction in available support for working customers to meet their liability for Council Tax, the Social Rent Room Restrictions (under- occupancy) and the Benefit Cap.
There were financial risks to the Council if the changes affect collection rates for rents or for Council Tax, but so far target collection rates were being achieved. There was a possible budget pressure in respect of the administrative costs of the changes which was being monitored, Take up of Crisis Loans and Grants had so far been below forecast and some of this budget could be diverted to the Hardship Fund set up to mitigate the impact of the Council Tax Reduction scheme.
Members discussed issues of under occupancy and the work being done to increase the opportunity of residents to exchange to a more suitable sized property and the increased bed and breakfast costs along with the Council’s inability to control these charges.
905 Agenda Item 3 Page 4 Housing, Economy and Business Committee 8 October 2013
It was also noted that much outreach work has been done to contact and advise affected customers.
Resolved: (i) To note the affect of Welfare Reform on Sutton residents.
ii) To note the ongoing demands on the Council from April 2013.
iii) Endorse the work being carried out to assist affected residents and key stakeholders.
iv) That a further update report returns to the Committee next year with the introduction of Universal Credit.
(v) To commend the Executive Head of Business Services and her team for the excellent work undertaken.
958. INCREASE IN LOCAL AUTHORITY SEARCH FEES
The Committee considered a report which set out the Council’s statutory responsibilities to offer Local Authority Searches to support land and property transactions. It recommended that new fees were levied for users of this service during the current financial year to minimise the deficit in the Local Land Charges team operating budget. This deficit has arisen from a mismatch between costs incurred by the Council in fulfilling statutory search obligations and the fee income received as a result of national policy decisions.
Resolved: (i) To approve an increase in search fees from £25 for a Local Land Charges (LLC) register search and £50 for CON29 Part 1 enquiries (i.e. £75 for a full basic search) to £30 LLC register and £70 for CON29 Part 1 enquiries (i.e for a £100 basic search).
(ii) To note that it was not proposed to increase the fees for ancillary search services including those relating to extra parcels of land, part 2 enquiries as current fees cover operating costs to answer these questions.
(iii) To note that in future, the balance of costs and fees would be reviewed on an annual basis.
959. URGENT ITEM - FUEL POVERTY STRATEGY
Task and Finish Group – Fuel Poverty Strategy The Chair accepted this issue to be taken as an urgent item to allow work to progress in a timely fashion.
As part of the Council’s role in supporting its local community through the current climate of austerity, promoting public health and community wellbeing, developing the local economy and addressing environmental issues through the One Planet Sutton agenda, it was proposed that a fuel poverty strategy be developed. The strategy would seek to understand the causes and effects of fuel poverty and to identify households within the local population who were fuel poor or most at risk of fuel poverty. It would aim to bring together knowledge and resources in a systematic way to deliver effective action and interventions that would reduce and, if possible, prevent fuel poverty in the borough.
In order to take this work forwards it was recommended that a joint Task and Finish Group of Members be set up from the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee and the Housing Economy and Business Committee to oversee the development of the strategy, with a view to the Group formally consulting with local stakeholders (e.g. CAB, Bioregional) in advance of producing a final draft for approval of the Strategy and Resources Committee in the New Year.
906 Page 5 Agenda Item 3 Housing, Economy and Business Committee 8 October 2013
Resolved: (i) That Councillors Nick Emmerson, Roger Roberts and David Hicks be appointed to the joint Task and Finish Group with the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee.
(ii) That the joint Task and Finish Group oversee the development of a fuel poverty strategy for the borough.
(iii) To delegate to the Strategic Director, Adult Social Services, Housing and Health, in consultation with the Chair, the Chair of Environment and Neighbourhood Committee and the Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods the Terms of Reference of the Group, the latter to include consulting with interested stakeholders.
Councillor Nick Emmerson declared a non pecuniary interest in that he works on a zero hours contract for the National Centre Social Research which had undertaken work on fuel poverty for the Government and other agencies.
960. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Resolved: To note that the next meeting would be held on 26 November 2013.
The meeting ended at 9.50 pm
Chair: Date:
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908 Page 7 Agenda Item 5
Report to: Housing, Economy and Business Committee
Date: 26 November 2013
Report of: Executive Head of Community Living and Strategic Commissioning
Ward Location: All Author(s) and Contact Phone Number(s): Simon Latham x 4005 Area Served: Borough-wide Chair of the Committee: Cllr Jayne McCoy
Report title: Tenant Participation Advisory Service - Landlord Accreditation for Resident Involvement
Summary This short covering report introduces the attached report from Sutton Housing Partnership and the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS), a speaker from which will be attending the Committee meeting to present their findings. Recommendations I recommend that the Committee notes the successful accreditation of Sutton Housing Partnership by the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) with the Resident Involvement Quality Standard and receives an update after one year. Background Documents and Previous Decisions TPAS Resident Involvement Quality Standards: Landlord Accreditation - Final Report, Sutton Housing Partnership (June 2013) – circulated to Members of the Committee
Signed:
Strategic Director Date: 15 th November 2013 Agenda Item 5 Page 8
1. Background
1.1 Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) commissioned the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) in July 2012 to carry out an evaluation of their submission to seek accreditation to the Resident Involvement Quality Standard. The attached report (a version of which was submitted the SHP Board of Management in September 2013 describes the process involved and the criteria involved. Attached as an appendix is the action plan arising from the final report submitted by the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS).
1.2 The full TPAS report has been circulated separately to Members of the Committee and further copies can by obtained from Simon Latham upon request. Cllr McCoy, the Chair of the Housing Economy and Business Committee has invited a representative from TPAS to present their findings, together with the Chair and Chief Executive of SHP. Members will then have the opportunity to ask TPAS or the Chair and Chief Executive of SHP questions. Page 9 Agenda Item 5
INFORMATION ITEM No: 13
Date : 26 th November
Subject : TPAS Landlord Accreditation for Resident Involvement
Author : Alexa Loukas
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT SUTTON HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
Purpose of the Report
To provide members of the Housing and Economic Business Committee with a summary of the results, following the successful accreditation of the TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service) Resident Involvement Quality Standard.
1. Background
1.1 The TPAS Resident Involvement Quality Standard is a widely recognised national accreditation for landlords delivering resident involvement services.
1.2 There are clear business and reputational benefits for accredited landlords these include;
1. A clear and robust framework of standards to ensure compliance with current regulations.
2. An independent, external validation of the scope and quality of SHP’s approach to involving residents in the design, delivery and scrutiny of the services provided against 99 separate standards, themed into six criteria.
3. Development of an action plan to drive up performance and develop stronger working relationships with residents.
4. Systems that help SHP develop and maintain high standards for staff and partners protecting and building our reputation for quality service across the sector.
5. An assurance that SHP’s approaches are inclusive evidencing commitment to resident involvement, its business benefits and ensuring services meet residents’ diverse needs.
6. Added publicity following accreditation through promotion of SHP’s good practice examples and case studies, membership of the TPAS Network Club. There are currently 40 Accredited Landlords and 20 Landlords are currently working towards accreditation
Agenda Item 5 Page 10
7. Reassurance to stakeholders and potential customers about the quality of resident involvement activity.
1.3 In July 2012 SHP commissioned TPAS consultancy services to assess the quality of the resident involvement arrangements of the organisation.
1.3.1. The process included:
1) The completion of a self-assessment by Sutton Housing Partnership submitted with supporting documentary evidence
2) A desktop analysis of the self-assessment and documentary evidence
3) Reality checking with interviews of staff, involved residents and non involved residents and underrepresented groups of residents
4) An Interim Assessment Report, with an opportunity to challenge followed by a Final Report.
2. Assessment
2.1 The Landlord self assessment required SHP to provide a detailed overview of current involvement strategy, opportunities and activities within the organisation, backed with evidence of how this is achieved against six main themes;
Theme 1 – Strategic Commitment to Involvement (18 standards) Theme 2 – Opportunities to Involve and Influence (22 standards) Theme 3 – Use of Resident Intelligence (10 standards) Theme 4 – Accountability and Performance (16 standards) Theme 5 – Community Development (9 standards) Theme 6 – Support and Resources (17 standards) Theme 7 - Governance (7 standard)
2.2 A staff project team from across the organisation was formed to complete the self assessment and source relevant evidence.
2.3 The self assessment was shared with the SFTRA executive committee and a meeting held where executive members were able to feedback and give comments.
2.4 Following submission of the self assessment, with 520 documents as supporting evidence submitted against the six themes, TPAS carried out an independent desk top review of the assessment and documents using a quality toolkit. This enabled clear preparation for the on-site reality checks and an opportunity for SHP to provide additional evidence if required.
2.5 TPAS then undertook a series of on-site reality checks, including semi- structured interviews to check involvement is embedded and works at both policy and operational level. This involved hour long interviews with selected staff, chief executive officer, board members, SFTRA executive members and involved residents. Additionally, a Resident Association Network Group meeting was observed by the TPAS Assessor.
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2.6 Four focus groups were held with the following;
Randomly selected operational staff (weighted towards housing/neighbourhood management)
Residents weighted towards specific under-represented residents groups
2 self-selecting resident groups (1 of actively involved residents and one of relatively uninvolved residents)
2.7 TPAS presented SHP with an interim report assessment based on the findings, at which point SHP were offered the opportunity to challenge and present any further evidence.
2.8 The final report was presented to the TPAS Scrutiny Panel in May 2013 for judgement to be made on the accreditation. The report included detailed findings with an overview of performance against each assessment, recommendations and examples of good practice.
2.9 SHP were informed on the 3 rd June that they had successfully gained the quality standard and been accredited. Of the 27 units assessed, SHP passed 23 units, scored partially on 2 units and failed against 2 units. A summary of these results is shown below. Best practice highlighted can be found at the back of the attached Final Report (Appendix 1) with a summary of the recommendations made.
Final Assessment Outcome Matrix
Theme Detail ACCREDITATION Pass Partial Fail Required Level of Pass/partial scores 1 Landlord demonstrates 4 0 1 4 Pass or Partial clear strategic commitment to resident involvement 2 Landlord knows it 4 1 0 5 combined residents and their aspirations 3 Landlord has clear aims, 2 0 1 measures and feeds-back outcomes 4 Landlord has partnership 3 1 0 6 combined ethos delivering ‘broader than housing’ agenda
5 Landlord has effectively 3 0 0 embedded resident involvement 6 Landlord committed to 6 0 0 6 combined training, development and support resources for resident involvement 7 Residents involved in 1 governance of landlord Totals 22 3 2
Agenda Item 5 Page 12
3.0 Celebrating Success
3.1 Following the successful accreditation SHP wished to formally recognise and acknowledge the hard work of the residents, board members, staff and partners who supported the assessment and accreditation. A “thank you” celebration event was held on the 4 th July. Michelle Reid, Chief Executive of TPAS presented the accreditation certificate and award to Frank Berry, Chair of SFTRA (Sutton Federation of Tenant and Residents’ Associations) and Mike Davies, Chair of SHP Board.
3.2 The TPAS Quality Assurance kitemark is now featured on SHP’s corporate communications and marketing materials and promotion of the standard has been successful with on line and trade media coverage.
3.3 In July a presentation was made to RANG (Resident Involvement Networking Group) announcing the accreditation, best practice highlighted and how residents can be involved in implementing the recommendations.
3.4 The Staff Project Team has recently been recognised as SHP’s Team of the Quarter for their work in achieving the standard.
3.5 Acknowledgements included in the final report as follows: A TPAS Consultancy Manager has been in continual contact with Sutton Housing Partnership throughout the assessment and there have been several progress meetings to ensure stringent quality standards were achieved. TPAS Consultancy would like to thank all of the tenants and residents at Sutton Housing Partnership who took part in the reality checking process and a large number of staff and Board members, without their support the assessment could not have been undertaken so thoroughly. Particular thanks must go to Alexa Loukas for her time and energy in supporting the process. A Challenge Telephone call took place with Alexa to go through the Interim report, it was confirmed that the organization are happy with the assessment.
4.0 The Way Forward
4.1 TPAS have made a number of recommendations for improvement. These are summarised in the TPAS Final Report, with additional suggestions and comments throughout the report providing further detail and guidance.
4.2 SHP have been invited by Councillor Jayne McCoy, to attend the Housing, Economy and Business Committee meeting on 8 October to present the agenda item on the accreditation.
4.3 A SMART action plan has been drafted to address the recommendations and a summary of this will be included in the forthcoming Annual Report to Residents due to be issued in September.
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4.4 The Head of Communications and Involvement will work with the TPAS Project Team and Heads of Service to agree the action plan and if necessary inclusions will be made in the relevant Statement of Intents.
4.5 The actions will be implemented by SHP over the next two years and residents will be fully involved in monitoring the delivery of the action plan and where appropriate, will have involvement in developing methods and ways of working to address specific actions.
4.6 As an organisation we are committed to effectively involving residents in the planning, delivery and scrutiny of housing services. The Action Plan will be monitored by SHP’s Head of Communications and Involvement via Covalent and through regular meetings with appropriate managers, staff and residents.
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Resident Involvement Action Plan 2013-2015
Action Why Tasks Expected outcomes Responsible By When 1. Work with tenants To increase resident • Clear information on • Tenants have good Head of March 2015 to explore opportunities influence over services options via tenants quality information Communicati for Tenant Management handbook, resident about options for Tenant ons/Communi options involvement strategy Management ty and SHP website Development • Undertake visits to • Tenants able to make Manager promote methods informed decisions Page 15 • Offer TMO training • Update strategy to • Staff and partners include tenant support residents management info considering these options 2. Work in partnership To ensure rel evant • Identify residents to • Residents involved in Head of March 2015 with residents to residents are involved work with and develop deciding who to carry Comms develop our market in market research a programme to target out market research Involvement/ research programme groups with, how it is Head of undertaken and who will Customer carry out the research Care 3. Develop informal and To ensure a clear • Develop process to • Residents Head of March 2014 formal routes for process for how enable residents to empowered/encourages Customer
residents to give views residents can trigger trigger scrutiny to trigger scrutiny Care/Perform Agenda Item5 and receive feedback on scrutiny when there publish/promote • Residents involved in ance Manager scrutiny are concerns about • Publish feedback and planning improvements Agenda Item5
service failure results of reviews to address service failure • Residents aware of how their involvement is making a difference 4. Develop the role of To ensure residents • Information provided • Staff informed of board Comms and March 2014 Board Members and staff are aware of to staff/board members role and limitations Governance their role and at induction stage • Board members, Manager responsibilities • Clear Terms of including resident board Reference for all sub members, aware of the
committees role and commitments Page 16 • Regular training and through robust briefings on role and development plans responsibilities 5. Review Terms of To ensure all aware of • Work with residents • Customer satisfaction Head of March 2014 Reference for Disability groups role and remit to establish clear TOR improved with services Customer Forum that includes as aligned to Care? aims/objectives needs/wants/expectation • Work with residents • Improved involvement to re-establish groups and empowerment in purpose and future decision making focus • Residents expectations managed when requesting information 6. Review Terms of To ensure all aware of • Work with residents • Customer satisfaction Head of March 2014 Reference for Sheltered groups role and remit to establish clear TOR improved with services Sheltered Housing Forum that includes as aligned to Housing
aims/objectives needs/wants/expectation • Work with residents • Improved involvement to re-establish groups and empowerment in purpose and future decision making focus • Residents expectations • Develop an managed when information protocol requesting information 7. Establish opportunity To ensure residents • Establish opportunities • Residents empowered to Performance March 2014 for residents to have have involvement in through existing scrutinise performance Manager / formal input into target measuring/monitoring residents groups of RI services Head of setting of KPI’s relating performance RANG etc, to set Comms and Page 17 to RI targets Involvement 8. Review of RI Strategy • To ensure • Establish how often • Residents have direct Performance April 2015 to formally state how residents involved plans monitored involvement in shaping Manager / monitored and by in consistent and • Establish formal direction of RI Head of whom regular monitoring arrangements for • Residents opinions Comms of RI improvement monitoring with RSG included in strategy and plans TOR action plans • To ensure residents assessing impact of RI 9. Develop a • To ensure process • Set up framework • Residents better Head of April 2015 framework for impact for assessing impact considering best informed and involved Comms and assessments formalised practice methods • Opportunities for Inv Agenda Item5 • To detail how • Evaluate outcomes of residents to feedback on residents can be involvement methods methods and evaluate Agenda Item5
involved and groups 10. Carry out annual • Residents involved • Introduce a • Residents receive Head of April 2015 review with residents in setting priorities programme of works appropriate recognition Comms/Perfo on areas and levels of for support needed with residents to and levels of support as rmance support for resident and how to access review required Manager involvement • Set recognition criteria • Residents involved feel with residents valued
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Report to: Housing, Economy and Business Committee Date: 26th November 2013
Report of: Head of Procurement
Ward Location: Borough wide Author(s) and Contact Phone Number(s): Amanda Cherrington Ext 5500 Mark Brewer Ext 5300
Area Served: Borough wide Chair of the Committee and Lead Councillor: Cllr Jayne McCoy
Report title:
A review of Council procurement spending and its impact on Small and Medium sized Enterprises (60(¶V)
Summary:
2SSRUWXQLW\6XWWRQLVWKH&RXQFLO¶VSURJUDPPHto develop and implement a new and innovative approach to economic growth in Sutton. Through the Open for Business project it has been recognised that the spending power of the Council can bring about a positive impact to the local economy. This supports the Council to meet its aims of creating an enterprising and enabling borough, the right conditions for growth and jobs for local people.
A review of procurement contracts for the supply of goods and services has been completed to analyse the location of the businesses, the size of company and the category of spend. This paper seeks to outline these findings, comparing the view of local business with factual data and makes recommendations to increase the percentage of contracts delivered within the borough.
For the purposes of this paper the EU definition of an SME has been used which is a business employing less than 250 people with a WXUQRYHUWKDWGRHVQ¶WH[FHHG¼million per year.
Recommendations: Agenda Item 8 Page 20
It is recommended that the Committee:
i. Endorse the sXSSRUWFXUUHQWO\RIIHUHGWR60(¶s in the London Borough of Sutton Procurement Strategy 2012-15 ii. Seeks to help promote London Tenders, WKH&RXQFLO¶VSURFXUHPHQWSRUWDO, to ensure Sutton businesses are signed up to access procurement opportunities. iii. Agrees to receive an update on the contract value and the number of SMEs accessing Council procurement as an indicator in the Economy Watch report.
Background Documents and Previous Decisions Federation of Small Businesses - Local Procurement: Making the most of small business, one year on
Signed:
Strategic Director Date: 14 November 2013
1. Background
1.1. The Council recognises it has significant purchasing power within the borough. There is an acknowledged link between Council spend and how it can support small local businesses. In the last year, small local firms generated £746 million more for local economies than large businesses in the same area despite having £500 million less spent with them.
1.2. There has been anecdotal evidence provided which indicates small, local businesses do not feel they are able to access Sutton Council contracts and as the majority of businesses (99.5%) within Sutton fall under the definition of SME it is important for the Council to analyse procurement data to ensure it is doing all it can to support these businesses. A steering group was formed to look into this subject in more detail.
1.3. The Council has a Procurement Strategy (2012-15) which includes a policy for promoting contract opportunities for 60(¶V, the voluntary and community sector and social enterprises UHFRJQLVLQJWKHVH³DUHYDOXHGDQGUHVSRQVLYHVXSSOLHUVWRWKH Council and have a major part to play in sustaining the local economy, creating employment aQGGHOLYHULQJFRVWHIIHFWLYHVHUYLFHV´ Page 21 Agenda Item 8
1.4. The Procurement team have brought all contracts into a central contract register to ensure all commissioning and procurement activity is carried out through the ProContract tool (a spend analysis tool). This tool enables the Procurement unit to monitor procurement activity much more closely, ensuring best quality and value. 1.5. This paper seeks to outline where the Council spends geographically, on what type of goods or services and with which classification of business in order to assess whether engagement with 60(¶V and local businesses has been successful
2. Issues
2.1 To fully understand how the Council procures its goods and services, and to determine whether engaging with 60(¶V has been successful, quantitative data has been collated through ProSpend (a spend analysis tool)
2.2 The first data to be assessed looked at the number of 60(¶V and large companies who are London Borough of Sutton suppliers. 82%, or 2650 suppliers, fall into the SME category.
2.3 This demonstrates a large number of 60(¶V are able to successfully engage with the Council's procurement process. 60(¶V are responsible for delivering 51% of the &RXQFLO¶VWRWDOSURFXUHPHQWYDOXH(Appendix 2). Put into context, central government has a target for 25% of its procurement spend to be with 60(¶V by 2015.
2.4 However, this does leave 44%, or £75,555,763, procured through large companies, a cross section of which can be seen from Appendix 3, and more can still be done to increase the percentage of Council spend delivered by 60(¶V whilst recognising the pressures of driving better value through contracts.
2.5 Sutton Council has, where possible, divided larger contracts into lots, which smaller organisations are more able to bid for. 60(¶V can then bid for a single lot, or several lots. Some large contracts are also accessible for consortiums, and this also allows smaller organisations to bid. In addition the Procurement unit, with the support of Opportunity Sutton, have run a number of sector-specific events to engage local 60(¶V with the larger contractors.
2.6 The work completed is also interested in the location of the suppliers providing goods and services to the Council. To date 36% of all SME spend is located within the Borough and 18% of the value of contracts (as a percentage of total Council procurement spend) is delivered by 60(¶V based in Sutton.
2.7 There is a clear opportunity to assess the nature of the goods and services provided to the Council in order to compare with the businesses trading within the borough to ascertain whether there is the local capacity to deliver. If there is, work can be completed to engage with these businesses to make them aware of the contract opportunities.
Agenda Item 8 Page 22
2.8 In order to capture business feedback and perceptions, a questionnaire for businesses attending a procurement event has been carried out. The questions asked are included in Appendix 4.
2.9 More than 80% of respondents felt there were barriers currently preventing them from winning Council contracts with nearly half giving the reason that they don't hear about opportunities (Appendix 5). The majority of Council contracts are advertised through the London Tenders website and can be seen by any business registered with the site. Tellingly, when asked whether the business was registered with London Tenders, only one company was able to respond positively (Appendix 6).
2.10 When these two questions are viewed in tandem there is a clear link to be made between the local businesses not being aware of tender opportunities and not being registered with London Tenders.
2.11 It must be noted that there are already a number of measures and initiatives in place to support businesses .The Procurement team takes enquiries from potential new suppliers and help them to register. Sutton Chamber of Commerce has been approached with these details as well as the voluntary sector, to ensure the information reaches as many businesses as possible. It is also on the Council website with information and a direct link to make it as easy as possible.
2.12 In addition, the Council has put a lot of effort into encouraging 60(¶V, particularly local ones, to apply for any contract opportunities that arise. Steps taken include ensuring specifications are written in such a way as to be attractive to 60(¶V, breaking down contracts into lots where possible so that the size of contract does not exclude 60(¶V and using alternative processes to full tender exercises for lower value contracts such DVµTXLFNTXRWHV¶(QQ) or µRequests for Quotation¶ 5)4¶V . These simplified processes do not require the use of Pre-Qualification Questionnaires which experience suggests can put off potential SME bidders.
2.13 Since November 2008, the Council has adopted a policy of paying local small businesses within 10 days of receipt of a submitted invoice. All internal users of small businesses were informed of these new arrangements and the need to process these invoices promptly.
2.14 Following implementation of this policy the Council has continued to monitor and report on performance on a monthly basis. The Council is currently paying nearly 95% of SME invoices within 10 days and just over 98% of all invoices within 30 days.
3. Conclusions
3.1 The information assessed demonstrates that there is a disconnect between the perception of the &RXQFLO¶VSURFXUHPHQW and what is actually happening. Sutton Council contracts are being awarded to 60(¶V.
Page 23 Agenda Item 8
3.2 Drawing on feedback from business it is clear more can be done to promote and advertise London Tenders, the Councils procurement portal, and thus more actively support the local economic growth agenda. Good practice from other councils can be usefully employed. For example, Wandsworth Council have successfully increased the number oIORFDO60(¶VDFFHVVLQJFRQWUDFWVWKURXJKLQQRYDWLYHPDUNHWLQJDQd promotional campaigns using demonstration videos.
3.3 There is a clear opportunity to assess the nature of the goods and services provided to the Council and compare this with the businesses trading within the borough. This will allow the Council to ascertain whether there is the local capacity to deliver and if there is, these businesses can be engaged with to make them aware of the contract opportunities. This has the potential to increase the percentage of Council spend with 60(¶V located within the borough from 18%, giving a significant boost to the local economy.
3.4 Opportunity Sutton currently has a project called Enterprising Sutton which supports the growth of new and existing local businesses through a targeted business advice programme. This will increase the local capacity of businesses and further support the desired outcomes of this report.
4. Recommendations:
It is recommended that the Committee:
i. Endorse the suppRUWFXUUHQWO\RIIHUHGWR60(¶s in the London Borough of Sutton Procurement Strategy 2012-15 ii. Seeks to help promote London Tenders, WKH&RXQFLO¶VSURFXUHPHQWSRUWDO, to ensure Sutton businesses are signed up to access procurement opportunities. iii. Agrees to receive an update on the contract value and the number of SMEs accessing Council procurement as an indicator in the Economy Watch report.
5. Impacts and Implications:
Financial
5.1 There is a resource implication for the work outlined within the recommendation section of this paper and it is envisaged that this will be delivered jointly through Opportunity Sutton and the Procurement team.
Legal
5.2 The procurement principle of aggregation needs to be considered which states that contracts cannot be artificially broken up into smaller components. Instead, the entire requirement needs to be considered and taken into account. Where possible, Agenda Item 8 Page 24
contracts are divided into lots, which smaller organisations are generally then able to bid for.
5.3 Lots are a legitimate way of enabling access to large contracts for 60(¶V ± the contract is advertised as a whole (potentially made up of lots covering the separate aspects) ± 60(¶V can then bid for a single lot, or several lots. Some large contracts are also accessible for consortiums, and this also allows smaller organisations to bid.
5.4 At all times, procurement law must be considered to ensure the Council does not open itself up to legal challenge through its procurement activity. This is especially true when looking to promote local business.
Community
5.5 Any increase in local economic activity will have a positive impact on the community across all the wards within Sutton through potential increase in the supply of jobs
One Planet Living
5.6 Supporting local business contributes to the Councils One Planet Living Principles of: Minimising Carbon Emissions from Buildings and transport by reducing road miles in the delivery of goods or services within the borough Waste, Materials and Procurement by ensuring Council procurement activity is as local to the end use as possible and; Equity and Local Economy by supporting local businesses, local growth and therefore residents through a strong economy and availability of jobs
Equality Impact Assessment
5.7 There is no negative impact on any equalities group. By supporting the aspirations of ORFDOEXVLQHVVHVDQGSHRSOHWKURXJKWKH&RXQFLO¶VSURFXUHPHQWDFWLYLW\LWKDVEHHQ demonstrated that there is a significant positive impact across all groups.
6. Consultation
6.1 As the support for local business and 60(¶V has been included as a stated ambition LQWKH&RXQFLO¶V3URFXUHPHQW6WUDWHJ\-15 and in the formulation of its One Planet Living principles it is not envisaged there will be a requirement for further public consultation.
7. Risk
Page 25 Agenda Item 8
7.1 There is a risk associated with the amount of resource required to deliver the recommendations included within this report. There is also a risk that the project has the potential to expand into a much broader piece of work which will also place additional pressures on officers within Opportunity Sutton and the Procurement team.
Agenda Item 8
Appendix 1 Page 26
Appendix 2 Page 27 Agenda Item 8
Agenda Item 8
Appendix 3
Procurement % of Actual spend Notes Comments Category procurement with large category suppliers spend with large companies Building 72% £3,012,956 64% of total category spend is with These have been combined into the construction Mitie (repairs and maintenance) Corporate Facilities Management material contract currently being tendered. Catering 62% £668,234 46% of total category spend is with
3663 Page 28 Cleaning and 69% £1,202,373 31% of total category spend is with These have been combined into the janitorial Mitie and 35% of total category Corporate Facilities Management spend is with NVIRO (cleaning contract currently being tendered. contracts) Environmental 97% £8,478,139 93% of total category spend is waste Funds waste services delivered by a services management commercial entity Financial 88% £3,129,748 21% of total category spend is with services Newton Investment Management (fund manager) and 24% with Zurich Municipal (insurance) Health and safety 88% £8,251 88% of total category spend is with Greenham Trading Company Healthcare 94% £2,102,585 47% of total category spend is with Not appropriate for SME involvement Sutton and Merton PCT and 35% with The Royal Marsden NHS Trust ICT 61% £3,176,111 22% of total category spend is with Steria Services (Managed Service provider) and 8% with Virgin Media (phone lines), Stationery 95% £183,748 89% of total category spend is with The Council purchase all Stationery Office Depot requirements through a contract with Office Depot. These goods and services are not specialised and therefore there is an option to use a smaller, local supplier if cost and guarantee of supply is competitive. Utilities 100% £3,461,840 52% of total category spend is with The Council procures all of its energy Sutton and East Surrey Water and through the Laser Procurement 41% with Kent County Council Framework in order to achieve best (Laser Energy Buying Group) value. This contract is in place until 2016 and this is the contract type which makes the most commercial
sense. Page 29 Works 73% £26,502,588 30% of total category spend is with Value will decrease by £7,155,698 as Lakehouse Contracts (SHP Westcroft procured and constructed. contractor) and 27% is with R Durtnell and Sons (Westcroft contractor)
Agenda Item 8 Agenda Item 8
Appendix 4
Questions to Sutton 60(¶V
i. Are you based in Sutton? ii. Have you supplied goods and services to Sutton Council in the past? iii. Do you currently supply goods or services to Sutton Council? iv. Are you registered on London Tenders? v. Have you attended any procurement events with Sutton Council? vi. How well do you think Sutton Council currently supports local businesses through its buying power? vii. Do you feel there are any barriers currently preventing you from winning council contracts? viii. We are exploring an SME Broker to form multi-trade consortia of local businesses, to compete for more council contracts. Page 30 Would you be interested in joining such a consortium?
Appendix 5
Page 31 Agenda Item 8
Agenda Item 8
Appendix 6 Page 32
Page 33 Agenda Item 9
Report to: Housing, Economy and Business Community
Date: 26 November 2013
Report of: Executive Head for Economic Development, Planning and Sustainability
Ward Location: Borough Wide Author(s) and Contact Phone Number(s): Fiona Lander (x4253)
Area Served: Borough Wide Chair of the Committee: Councillor Jayne McCoy
Report Title:
London Borough of Sutton Planning Enforcement Protocol
Summary One measure of the credibility of a planning system is the ability of the Local Planning Authority to take effective enforcement action. The recent replacement of national guidance on planning enforcement increases the emphasis on Local Planning Authorities to develop their own policies or protocols, as the absence of a planning policy or protocol can be used to challenge the decisions of the Local Planning Authority. This report seeks approval of a planning enforcement protocol for the London Borough of Sutton to use in its capacity as the Local Planning Authority.
Recommendations: The Housing, Economy and Business (HEB) Committee is recommended: (i) To agree the priorities for enforcement action in the Planning Enforcement Protocol (appendix A) (ii) To approve the Planning Enforcement Protocol for use by London Borough of Sutton (iii) Delegate the completion of the protocol including minor amendments to the Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods in consultation with the Chair of the Housing Economy and Business Committee
Background Documents: National Planning Policy Framework Circular 10/97: Enforcing Planning Control
Signed:
Strategic Director
Date: 14 November 2013
Agenda Item 9 Page 34
1. Background
1.1 7KH/RQGRQ%RURXJKRI6XWWRQ¶V'HYHORSPHQW6HUYLFHRSHUDWHVDVSDUWRIWKH&RXQFLO¶V statutory role as the Local Planning Authority in the management of the use and development of land and buildings within the Borough. Part of the credibility of the Service depends on the ability to take effective enforcement action when statutory requirements are breached.
1.2 Planning enforcement action is discretionary and the Council, as the Local Planning Authority, is required to act proportionately in responding to suspected breaches. The Council will robustly use discretionary enforcement powers where it appears there has been a breach of planning control, or where the visual appearance of an area is adversely affected by the appearance of land or buildings in that area as a result of actions or omissions which fall under the remit of planning legislation.
1.3 The proposed planning enforcement protocol attached as appendix A sets out how the Council will use its planning enforcement powers when an allegation of a breach is received. The protocol will be reviewed as necessary in response to changing circumstances, such as new legislation or guidance.
1.4 In 2012 the Council received 284 allegations of breaches of planning control. In comparison with neighbouring boroughs, Merton received 494, Richmond 678 and Kingston 327.This is lower than historic trends and the median number of allegations received in Sutton over the past 5 years is 333. As of September 2013, 295 allegations have been received in the current calendar year.
1.5 Sutton has a rigorous approach to enforcement. All allegations in Sutton are investigated. Approximately 50% are typically determined to be breaches. Typically 50% of breaches are then resolved reasonably quickly through informal action and a substantial proportion of the remainder result in no action because the breach was not reported within the time allowed for informal or formal action. Formal enforcement action using legal means is an expensive and time consuming approach to resolving breaches. It is used only when the breach of planning control has not been resolved by officer intervention, or the breach is considered so significant that formal action is the appropriate course of action. In 2012, 3 enforcement notices were served. In 2011, the total was 11. Even fewer notices result in prosecution for non compliance with the requirements of an enforcement notice. In any event prosecution cannot force compliance. The sanction is a financial penalty. In this context, an approach which results in cooperation and a modest caseload of formal action represents value for money and can be seen as a measure of success of the enforcement team.
2. Issues
7KH/RQGRQ%RURXJKRI6XWWRQ¶VSODQQLQJHQIRUFHPHQWSROLF\ZDVSUHYLRXVO\FRQWDLQHG in the Unitary Development Plan. This policy was not carried forward when the Local Development Framework was produced and adopted in 2012. Nationally, guidance FRQWDLQHGZLWKLQ3ODQQLQJ3ROLF\*XLGDQFH1RWHRQ³(QIRUFLQJ3ODQQLQJ&RQWURO´KDV been replaced by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The emphasis in the NPPF is on Local Planning Authorities publishing their own enforcement plan.
2.2 The absence of a planning enforcement plan or protocol setting out how the Council will use its planning enforcement powers, as the Local Planning Authority, can be used against the Council in appeals against the decision to take formal enforcement action. It Page 35 Agenda Item 9
can also be used against the Council where a decision has been made not to progress to formal enforcement action. The appended protocol has therefore been developed.
2.3 As the Local Planning Authority the council has a quasi-judicial role and its decisions on planning enforcement must be made independently in accordance with the relevant planning legislation. Local members play an important role in this in both drawing alleged breaches to the attention of the Local Planning Authority and in providing evidence that can be used to assess the extent of any harm.
3. Conclusions
3.1 This report recommends that HEB approve the appended Planning Enforcement Protocol for use by the London Borough of Sutton as the Local Planning Authority.
3.2 The remit for enforcement action is set down in law. However, given that enforcement is discretionary, Local Authorities can identify priorities for action given the limitations on resources. The protocol includes the proposed prioritisation approach and the target timeframes within which the site of each allegation will be visited. Allegations of breaches of planning control from members of the public and Elected Members will be dealt with in accordance with the protocol, with the prioritisation of individual cases kept under continual review.
3.3 The protocol also sets down advice for residents and Members about how to report a suspected breach of planning control and advises individuals and organisations who receive notification of a suspected breach what to do. Local knowledge will be helpful to build an evidence base for the Local Planning Authority to assess the extent of impact on amenity and planning harm.
3.4 The prioritisation of alleged breaches as described below was agreed by the Strategic Planning Strategy Committee Advisory Group of 21 March 2005. It is recommended that this is carried forward with a slight amendment whereby the target is to visit urgent priority cases within one working day of receipt of complaint; previously the target for these cases was two working days.
1. Urgent Priority ± Target: to be visited within one working day Significant and permanent damage to the environment where works are potentially irreversible, such as unauthorised demolition or significant alteration to a listed building or loss of significant protected trees.
2. High Priority ± Target: to be visited within two working days Breaches of statutory planning notices such as Enforcement Notices. Building works commencing without compliance with pre-commencement conditions or legal agreements which are fundamental to or go to the heart of the planning permission and without which, the development would not be acceptable. Unauthorised development/activity that results in widespread harm to local amenity or serious harm to the ability of the Local Planning Authority to uphold the policies of the Development Plan such as the protection of the Green Belt. Non±compliance with a planning permission where there is significant harm to amenity in planning terms. Unauthorised development where it is known the time-limit for taking action is imminent. Demolition or works unlikely to be approved without substantial modification.
Agenda Item 9 Page 36
3. Medium priority ± Target: to be visited within five working days Development likely to cause general harm to public amenity, in particular residential amenity, the setting of a listed building or character and appearance of a conservation area. Breaches of condition attached to a planning permission where there is likely to be general harm to public amenity, in particular residential amenity. Changes of use causing general harm to the amenity of an area, such as commercial uses in residential properties Advertisements causing harm to amenity or public safety Sale of Green Belt land as leisure or investment plots.
4. Low Priority: ± Target: to be visited within ten working days Unauthorised development which would be likely to receive planning permission/approval were an application to be submitted Development that is unlikely to require planning permission. Advertisements which do not case harm to amenity or public safety. Complaints with only very limited details Pro-active condition monitoring/plan checking.
3.5 The protocol articulates an approach to enforcement which seeks first to regularise breaches prior to commencing formal enforcement action. This is in line with guidance which requires that enforcement actions are proportionate and guidance that public sector actions should represent value for money. It is in line with the Government approach to Better Regulation which again advocates proportionality. At the heart of this approach is a recognition that in complex systems, many infractions will be genuine errors and people should be afforded the opportunity to correct their action. Formal action should be used to contribute to the credibility of the system where breaches are serious and where remedial action is not or cannot be taken. Members are invited to endorse this approach.
3.6 As an approved protocol the document will have weight as a council document in any enquiry. It is intended to build on this protocol by developing a Local Enforcement Plan in line with the national guidance given in the National Planning Policy Framework.
3.7 If approved, the protocol will be available on line and will be accompanied by explanatory web pages.
3.8 Recommendations:
3.9 The Housing, Economy and Business (HEB) Committee is recommended: (i) To agree the priorities for enforcement action in the Planning Enforcement Protocol (appendix A) (ii) To approve the Planning Enforcement Protocol for use by London Borough of Sutton (iii) Delegate the completion of the protocol including minor amendments to the Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods in consultation with the Chair of the Housing Economy and Business Committee
4. Impacts and Implications:
Financial Impacts 4.1 The proposed London Borough of Sutton Enforcement Protocol sets out the procedures whereby formal enforcement action will be taken. If the Council does not have a planning enforcement protocol in place it will be less able to defend itself against legal Page 37 Agenda Item 9
challenges where action has been taken and is disputed, and where the Council has decided not to take formal action. This will have a financial impact on the Council.
Legal Comments 4.2 The proposed London Borough of Sutton Enforcement Protocol has been assessed by WKH&RXQFLO¶V/HJDO6HUYLFHVDQG conforms fully to current town planning legislation and to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Community 4.3 It is necessary to have a London Borough of Sutton Enforcement Protocol in place to deliver an effective planning enforcement service.
One Planet Living 4.4 An effective planning enforcement service can help deliver the objectives of One Planet Living.
5. Consultation 5.1 As a protocol, there is no requirement to carry out a public consultation exercise.
6. Timetable for Implementation 6.1 It is recommended the London Borough of Sutton Planning Enforcement Protocol takes effect from the date of approval by the Housing, Economy and Business Committee.
Agenda Item 9 Page 38
PLANNING ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
[date] Page 39 Agenda Item 9
Table of Contents
1 THE PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
3 WHY WE NEED THIS DOCUMENT
8 WHAT IS ENFORCEMENT?
11 WHAT CAN WE INVESTIGATE?
25 WHAT DON’T WE INVESTIGATE?
27 HOW INVESTIGATIONS INTO ALLEGED BREACHES OF PLANNING CONTROL ARE PRIORITISED
28 WHAT ENFORCEMENT ACTION MAY WE TAKE?
36 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION
47 HOW TO REPORT A POTENTIAL BREACH?
52 WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF A COMPLAINT IS MADE ABOUT YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
61 CONTACTS AND FURTHER INFORMATION
65 SERVICE STANDARDS
Appendix 1 GLOSSARY
Appendix 2 ENFORCEMENT PROCESS CHART Agenda Item 9 Page 40
1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
2. The purpose of this document is to explain how the London Borough of Sutton’s Development Services team manage planning enforcement in the Borough. This document is intended for developers, their agents and members of the public. Appendix 1 explains technical planning terms used in this document. Terms which appear in this glossary are identified in underlined italics
3. WHY WE NEED THIS DOCUMENT?
4. The London Borough of Sutton’s Development Services operates as part of the Council’s statutory role as the Local Planning Authority in the management of the use and development of land and buildings within the Borough. The credibility of the Development Service depends in part on the readiness of the Local Planning Authority to take effective enforcement action.
5. Paragraph 207 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) advises Local Planning Authorities to consider publishing a local enforcement plan. This should set out how they will monitor the implementation of planning permissions, investigate alleged cases of unauthorised development and take action where it is appropriate to do so. The absence of a local enforcement plan or protocol could be used against the council in future appeals, including at court.
6 The London Borough of Sutton’s planning enforcement policy was previously contained in the Unitary Development Plan. This protocol supplements the Development Plan which was adopted in 2012 and accords with the advice of the NPPF. It has been approved [TBC] by the Council’s Housing, Economic and Business Committee for use by the Council acting as Local Planning Authority on [TBC].
7 Planning enforcement is a complex area of planning law. The legislative framework which has informed this protocol is principally contained in:
x Town and Country Planning Act 1990; x Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990; x Planning and Compensation Act 1991; x The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.
Other relevant legislation and Central Government Advice relating to compliance and enforcement is contained in:
x Circular 10/97: Enforcing Planning Control: Legislative Provisions and Procedural Requirements; x National Planning Policy Framework March 2012
8. WHAT IS ENFORCEMENT?
9. The Council is committed to providing an efficient and effective planning service in the interests of the local community. The enforcement of planning control is important in order to: Page 41 Agenda Item 9
x protect people and land from the effects of unacceptable development; x remedy the unacceptable harmful effects of unauthorised development; and x bring unauthorised activity under control to ensure the credibility of the planning system is not undermined.
10. Planning enforcement action is discretionary and the Council is required to act proportionately in responding to suspected breaches of control. The Council will robustly use the discretionary enforcement powers provided by the planning legislation where it appears there has been a breach of planning control, or where local amenity has been harmed. The use of these powers will have regard to:
(i) Whether it is practical and a good use of public resources to take formal enforcement action, guided by the prioritisation set out in paragraph 27; (ii) Planning policy; including the Council’s Development Plan and Supplementary Planning Guidance and the National Planning Policy Framework. Any changes in Central Government guidance or legislation will be taken into account; (iii) The Convention on Human Rights and the Equality Act 2010. (iv) The need to take enforcement action within an acceptable timescale in cases where immediate remedial action is needed to prevent serious harm to public amenity, where negotiations fail to achieve compliance, or where offences have occurred that would mean negotiation would be inappropriate.
11. WHAT CAN WE INVESTIGATE?
12. Development
13. Not all building works, changes of use, demolitions, advertisements or tree works require permission from the Local Planning Authority. Local Planning Authorities are only concerned with "development" which is defined by section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. There are two types of “development”:
x Operational Development e.g. building or engineering works x Material Change of Use, changing from one use class to another e.g. residential to business
14. “Development” is not: x Works which affect only the interior of the building, x Works which do not materially affect the external appearance of the building.
15. If there is no "development" there is no breach of planning control and no further action is available to the Council under its planning powers.
16 A breach of planning control may result from:
x Carrying out work either without planning permission or in a way that is different to that which has been granted planning permission. x Carrying out work without compliance with planning conditions attached to a planning permission x Changing the use of land or property without planning permission
17. It is not illegal to carry out works without planning permission or related consents. These Agenda Item 9 Page 42
works are termed as being “unauthorised” and only become illegal if they are retained in contravention of an Enforcement Notice that has come into effect and is not the subject of a current planning enforcement appeal.
18 Works to a listed building, the felling or lopping of protected trees, or the display of an advertisement requiring consent from the Council as the Local Planning Authority are dealt with differently as “planning enforcement”.
x Listed Buildings: It is a criminal offence to carry out works to the inside or outside of a listed building which require authorization, without first obtaining that consent.
x Advertisements: It is a criminal offence to display an advertisement without the appropriate consents.
x Works to trees subject to Tree Preservation Orders or within a Conservation Area: These types of trees are protected. It is a criminal offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, willfully destroy or damage a protected tree in a manner likely to destroy it, without the Council’s consent.
19. Unsightly land or buildings
We can investigate the physical condition of buildings or land where there is allegation that the current state is causing significant harm to the visual amenity of an area, this includes dilapidated buildings and vacant and overgrown sites. Under certain circumstances we can use S215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to take action.
20. Night time business uses
A balanced and socially inclusive night time economy can bring benefits to an area but businesses such as leisure uses, restaurants and public houses also need to be considerate neighbours. Where planning permission is required for a change of use to a leisure use, or uses such as restaurants and public houses it is likely that opening times will be restricted to protect the amenities of the occupiers of adjoining and nearby properties. These time restrictions may be different to those on the license. Where it is found a business is operating outside of the permitted hours of opening and, as a consequence, harm is being caused to the occupiers of adjoining and nearby properties, planning enforcement action may ensue. The grant of different or extended hours of opening on a license does not prevent the Council taking enforcement action as the Local Planning Authority, if a business is opening outside the hours allowed on the planning permission.
21. Beddington Area including the Beddington Strategic Industrial Location
The Council is undertaking a program of work to secure social, economic and environmental improvements in the Beddington Area including in the Beddington Strategic Industrial Location. It is the Council’s intention to prepare a more detailed Enforcement Strategy for this Area. In advance of the preparation of this, where it is found unauthorised development has had, or is having, an adverse effect on the area, further action may be taken.
22. A breach of planning control becomes immune from planning enforcement action if no action has been taken within the time limits set out in the Town and Country Planning Act, unless the works comprise a criminal offence. Typically, this would mean that we cannot take action relating to building work, or change of use to a self contained residential dwelling more than 4 years old, or a change of use over 10 years old. Page 43 Agenda Item 9
23 WHAT DON’T WE INVESTIGATE?
24. The Local Planning Authority cannot investigate the following issues, unless there is a breach of planning conditions on a planning permission:
x Boundary wall disputes or other land ownership disputes, including breach of covenant. x Highway obstructions including parking and traffic. x Clearing of unprotected trees or landscaping and gardening works x Out of hour’s construction and related disturbances x Graffiti, unless it is classed as an advertisement x Dangerous structures or damage to property (unless a listed building) x Site security x Sewers, soakaways or other drainage matters (other than those relating to the formation of hard surfaces, such as driveways) x Business competition
25 HOW INVESTIGATIONS INTO ALLEGED BREACHES OF PLANNING CONTROL ARE PRIORITISED
26. Allegations are typically received from members of the public and elected members. Each allegation of a breach of planning control is treated on its merits and will be assigned a priority according to the harm being caused. All cases will be kept under review which could result in the priority assigned to the investigation changing.
1. Urgent Priority x Significant and permanent damage to the environment where works are potentially irreversible, such as unauthorised demolition or significant alteration to a listed building or loss of significant protected trees.
2. High Priority x Breaches of statutory planning notices such as Enforcement Notices. x Building works commencing without compliance with pre-commencement conditions or legal agreements which are fundamental to or goes to the heart of the planning permission and without which the development would not be acceptable. x Unauthorised development/activity that results in widespread harm to amenity (i.e. affects more than the immediate neighbouring properties) or serious harm to the policies of the Development Plan, such as the protection of the Green Belt x Non–compliance with a live planning permission where there is significant harm to amenity in planning terms. x Unauthorised development where it is known the time-limit for taking action is imminent. x Demolition or works unlikely to be approved without substantial modification.
3. Medium priority x Development likely to cause general harm to public amenity, in particular residential amenity, the setting of a listed building or character and appearance of a conservation area. x Breaches of condition attached to a planning permission where there is likely to be general harm to public amenity, in particular residential amenity. x Changes of use causing general harm to the amenity of an area, such as commercial uses in residential properties x Advertisements causing harm to amenity or public safety Agenda Item 9 Page 44
x Sale of Green Belt land as leisure or investment plots.
4. Low Priority x Unauthorised development which would be likely to receive planning permission/approval were an application to be submitted x Development that is unlikely to require planning permission. x Advertisements which do not cause harm to amenity or public safety. x Complaints with only very limited details x Pro-active condition monitoring/plan checking.
Examples of such cases are likely to be.
x Technical breaches where there is no harm or nuisance identified, x Untidy sites, and x Developments of a temporary nature
27. The target is to visit:
1. Urgent Priority Cases within one working day of receiving the request.
2. High Priority Cases within two working days of receiving the request.
3. Medium High Priority Cases within five working days of receiving the request.
4. Low Priority Cases we will endeavour to visit the site within ten working days of receiving the request
28. WHAT ENFORCEMENT ACTION MAY WE TAKE?
29. If there is a breach of planning control, the council as the Local Planning Authority will consider what action to take. As planning enforcement powers are discretionary and the Local Planning Authority has to be able to demonstrate that any enforcement action is practical, a good use of public resources and proportionate to the impact of breach.
30. Where possible we will seek a resolution which conforms with the law. This may mean
x the regularization of unauthorised development through requesting the submission of a retrospective planning application. This does not mean that the Local Planning Authority will automatically approve the application. All usual planning procedures including consultation with neighbours will be undertaken. conditions can be imposed to make the development acceptable. x the developer/owner removes the unauthorised development is removed, or the use ceases, or planning conditions are complied with.
31. If it is not possible to regularise the unauthorised development, the Council as the Local Planning Authority will assess the harm arising from the breach of planning control and take formal enforcement action. This could include issuing an Enforcement Notice or Breach of Condition Notice to address the harm. In urgent cases the Local Planning Authority will consider the use of Temporary Stop Notices and/or Stop Notices.
32. We follow a 3 step process: Page 45 Agenda Item 9
Step 1 – Informal action x Give advice e.g. informal letter, x Discuss with originator of breach allowing an opportunity to stop the works/use or the reinstatement of land, x Invite a planning application if permission may be forthcoming, or an application for non-material minor amendment or to submit details required by the conditions on an existing planning consent. Step 2 – Preparation of Formal Enforcement Action x Formal letters, written warnings, x Issue a Planning Contravention Notice and/ or Requisition for Information Notice to obtain more information, if required. Step 3 – Formal Enforcement Action x Where a breach of planning control has been identified and no action has been taken to address the breach it will be necessary to consider formal action. Where formal action is taken we will explain to the recipients what is required of them, the consequences of non-compliance and the available rights of appeal x Where the requirements of formal enforcement action have not been met, prosecution proceedings or direct action will be considered.
33. In Urgent or High Priority cases, Steps 1 and 2 may be omitted.
34 A diagram illustrating these steps is included as appendix 2.
35 If you report an alleged breach, we will keep you informed. Our target is to provide an initial response to all cases, other than low priority, with an explanation of our findings within 28 days low priority may take up 42 days. Further written explanation will be given as the investigation progresses. This will include information relating to formal enforcement action taken, the appeal process and reasons why investigation files have been closed.
36. DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORMAL ENFORCEMENT ACTION
37. Where it has been decided to take formal enforcement action, the main options for action are:
38 Breach of Condition Notice – to require compliance with a planning condition on a live planning permission, prosecution can be brought in the Magistrates' Court for the offence of contravening a breach of condition notice.
39. Enforcement Notice - can be served where an alleged development is being carried out without planning permission or where a condition is not being complied with. The Notice will require works or action to take place, or a use to cease, sufficient to remedy the harm caused by the breach. The recipient of the Notice has right of appeal to Planning Inspectorate. It is an offence not to comply with an Enforcement Notice. Enforcement Notices are registered as charges on the land.
40. Listed Building Enforcement Notice. Subject to the extent and nature of unauthorised works on a listed building, consideration will be given to whether to start criminal proceedings. As an alternative or in addition. a Listed Building Enforcement Notice may be served to make sure that appropriate remedial works are undertaken. This notice is similar to an Enforcement Notice Agenda Item 9 Page 46
41. Stop Notice – this can be served before, with or after an Enforcement Notice if continuing unauthorised development is causing irreparable and immediate significant harm. It is an offence not to comply with the requirements of a Stop Notice. This type of Notice carries compensation liabilities for the Local Planning Authority which means that we are liable to pay compensation if a judge or planning inspector decides we have incorrectly uses the planning enforcement powers. An alternative means of taking action against this type of breach is for the Local Planning Authority to seek an injunction.
42. Temporary Stop Notice - can be served where there is a breach of control and activity or development needs to stop immediately to safeguard the amenity of the area. These Notices are only valid for a period of 28 days. The recipient of a Temporary Stop notice can seek a judicial review of the Council’s decision to issue the notice if they do not accept that it is valid or believe that the decision making process is flawed.
43. Prosecution - can be taken where a formal Notice has been breached. In addition, in some instances we can commence legal proceedings for unauthorised works without the need to serve any formal Notices, such as unauthorised works to a listed building or a protected tree or an unauthorised advertisement. The Local Planning Authority will apply two tests in cases when considering prosecution: x The evidential test - Is there admissible and reliable evidence that the offence has been committed, and that there is a reasonable prospect of conviction? x The public interest test – Is it in the public interest to prosecute?
44. Direct Action - Where the steps required by a Notice are not taken within the period for compliance the Local Planning Authority can enter land or property and carry out the required work. Costs incurred are recoverable from the owner or registered as a charge on the property with the Land Registry so that the council can recover its costs at a future date when the property is sold.
45. Section 215 Notices – can be issued where when the condition of land or buildings negatively affects the amenity of an area. The Notice requires the owners and occupiers of the land to take specific steps to secure an improvement in its appearance. If those measures are not taken within a specified time an offence has been committed. The recipient of the Notice has right of appeal to the Magistrates Court.
46. Works to trees subject to Tree Preservation Orders or within a Conservation Area - The Local Planning Authority has power to prosecute in the event of unauthorised works. If a tree is removed completely it will also be the duty of the landowner to plant replacement trees of appropriate size and species in the same location
47. HOW TO REPORT A POTENTIAL BREACH
48. If you believe a breach of planning control has occurred you can initiate a planning enforcement investigation. Unless the breach involves works to a protected tree, a listed building or demolition, complaints should be made in writing.
x The quickest and preferred way to report a potential breach of planning control is by Entering the details on the x ‘Report an issue’ section of the Council’s website at https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17077, or via the x ‘Report it’ function in planning section of the council’s website https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=648.
49. If you do not have access to the internet, you can write to us, including any photographs Page 47 Agenda Item 9
and documents at.
Development Services London Borough of Sutton Development Services 24 Denmark Road Carshalton SM5 2JG
50. The following information must be included:
x Full address or location of the site where the development / breach is taking place. x Nature of the alleged breach and the planning harm caused. x Date when activities first began and if they are on-going. x If the complaint relates to a change of use, the previous use of the site. x The full name, postal address and contact details of the complainant, including telephone number and where possible an email address. Where an email address is provided we will generally use this to keep you informed of progress. The Council DOES NOT investigate anonymous complaints.
51. The council will seek to maintain the confidentiality of complainants at all times, however the substance of the complaints themselves is not confidential. In some cases it may be necessary to rely on evidence from complainants in order to take action, which may include acting as witness at an appeal or in court.
52. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF A COMPLAINT IS MADE ABOUT YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
53 The council understands that in many cases a breach of planning control is not intentional and can be the result of a misunderstanding or a person being unaware of the planning requirements. Therefore, if you receive a letter from us or a visit from a planning enforcement officer, we encourage you to respond positively and provide the information which we need to resolve the matter. It is beneficial to all parties if any breach is addressed at an early stage.
54 The Council as the Local Planning Authority has a duty to investigate all alleged breaches of planning control even if they subsequently prove to be unfounded. We do not disclose the identity of the complainant to you. It may be that the matter can be resolved quickly if there is no breach. In other cases a resolution may be found without resort to formal enforcement action. However, this does not mean that you can delay any response or action. We expect you to respond within the stated timescales (typically between 14 and 21 days) and we will pursue legal action where the requirements of formal Notices are not met.
55. The Council as the Local Planning Authority will not allow lengthy negotiations to delay the Council from taking action. In many cases, particularly where the works are likely to be acceptable, we may invite you to submit a retrospective planning application without prejudice to any decision the Local Planning Authority may take. In cases where planning permission has previously been obtained and the deviation from the approved plans in very minor, you may be entitled to apply for a non-material minor amendment. In cases where the requirements of pre- commencement conditions have not been met, you may still be able to submit the information specified in the condition(s) or alternatively you may need to submit a new planning application. Agenda Item 9 Page 48
56. Development which requires, but does not have planning permission, is unauthorised and will be revealed by a Local Land Search if reported. This may affect you should you wish to sell a property, or remortgage. We will also make any party known to have an interest in your property, including mortgage providers, aware of any formal enforcement action and we will send them a copy of any formal notice.
57. Planning enforcement officers have legal rights of entry to land and property in order to investigate an alleged breach of planning control or compliance with an enforcement notice. The enforcement officers will make themselves known to the landowner/developer when they enter a site.
58. An enforcement officer's visit may be unaccompanied; you do not have to be present. If it is necessary to enter your house, (as opposed to just the garden) you are entitled to 24 hours notice. If you actively prevent an enforcement officer from entering onto your land the council as the Local Planning Authority may obtain a warrant to enter the site. Once a warrant has been secured, any obstruction to access the site will be a criminal offence.
59. Information obtained from the site visit will be used to assess the harm being caused and what further action is necessary. Allowing the enforcement officer to make a site visit and take photographs will help to reduce time delays and any potential inconvenience.
60. Planning enforcement officers can explain the different notices to you, and help you understand the implications. However, Planning Enforcement Officers will not act as your advisor and they cannot make decisions on your behalf. You should consider whether you wish to get your own independent advice from a qualified planning consultant or another appropriate property professional.
61. CONTACTS AND FURTHER INFORMATION
62. Planning Enforcement Development Services London Borough of Sutton 24 Denmark Road Carshalton SM5 2JG
Tel : 020 8770 5070 (contact centre)
Email : [email protected]
63 Planning Portal - This is the Government’s online planning resource where you can learn about the planning system and latest government policy: www.planningportal.gov.uk.
64 Planning Aid - www.rtpi.org.uk/planningaid. Planning Aid Advice line: This service will provide fifteen minutes of free professional advice to all callers. Eligible callers may then receive further professional advice through a network of professional volunteers, who give their services free of charge to individuals and groups who are unable to afford professional fees. Tel: 0330 123 9244 Page 49 Agenda Item 9
65 SERVICE STANDARDS
66 The Council’s Customer Service Charter is available via the Council’s website https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5654. Agenda Item 9 Page 50
Appendix 1
GLOSSARY
Local Amenity – includes the visual appearance of a building and its impact on the surrounding area. It also includes the impact on the occupiers of neighbouring properties arising from the change of use of a building or land (eg noise and disturbance)
Harm - The council, as the Local Planning Authority, cannot take enforcement action simply because people do not like a development. The development has to be harmful to matters of planning importance such as: loss of privacy, loss of sunlight/ daylight, access or traffic problems, excessive noise and disturbance, and inappropriate design and layout. The harm identified must be able to withstand potential challenge via appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
Use Class – in planning the type of use of a building or land is grouped into “Use Classes”. Planning permission may be required to change from one use to another.
The “Public Interest test” – each case shall only proceed to court if the council is satisfied it meets the two key legal tests of: (i) the evidential stage – is there sufficient evidence to proceed to court; and (ii) the public interest test – which includes a consideration of how serious the offence is and the level of culpability of the defendant.
Non-material minor amendment - A local planning authority in England may make a change to any planning permission relating to land in their area if they are satisfied that the change is not material. In deciding whether a change is material, a local planning authority must have regard to the effect of the change, together with any previous changes allowed as non material minor amendments, on the planning permission as originally granted. There is no statutory definition of ‘non-material’ because it’s dependant on the context of the overall scheme (i.e. what is non-material in one case may be material in another). Non-material amendments can only be made to planning permissions and not to listed building/conservation area consents. Page 51 Agenda Item 10
Report to: Housing, Economy and Business Committee
Date: 26 November 2013
Report of: Executive Head of Business Services (Interim)
Ward Location: All Author(s) and Contact Phone Number(s): Julie Turner, 4496 Andrew Clark, 5245 Area Served: Borough Wide Chair of the Committee: Councillor Jayne McCoy
Report title: Update on Social Reform - Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme
Summary A paper was presented to HEB Committee on 27 November 2012 outlining the draft HOLJLELOLW\FULWHULDIRU6XWWRQ¶VFULVLVJUDQWDQGORDQVFKHPHSURSRVDOVIRUDQZHHN consultation as well as an overview of how the scheme will operate including how people will make applications. A further paper was presented on 19 March 2013, which provided an update on the result of the consultation, including resultant changes to the scheme and an update on the provision of out of hours support.
This report details the fLQGLQJVRIDPRQWKUHYLHZRI6XWWRQ¶VFULVLVJUDQWDQGORDQ scheme which includes customer feedback from residents that have applied, case studies, feedback from stakeholders e.g. voluntary sector organisations, spend to date as well as recommendations IURPWKH&KLOGUHQ¶V6RFLHW\for local crisis loans and grants scheme. 5HFRPPHQGDWLRQVIRULPSURYHPHQWVWR6XWWRQ¶VVFKHPHDVDUHVXOWRIWKLVUHYLHZDUH proposed.
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Recommendations to: 1) Note report, in particular spend to date and feedback from users and stakeholders 2) Amend criteria to enable people to apply for food and utilities twice during a 12 month period 3) Undertake targeted promotion of crisis loans and grant to under-represented groups e.g. older people and people from BME communities 4) Agree the Council supports the Croydon, Merton and Sutton Credit Union (CMS) in publicising their loan products, especially the benefits of the Family loan. 5) Agree the Council undertakes a stakeholder meeting for all CMS partners, to produce a joined up marketing strategy, raising the profile of the CMS across all three boroughs.
Background Documents and Previous Decisions HEB Committee Report 27 November 2012 http://sutton.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=450&MId=3253&Ver=4 HEB Committee Report 19 March 2013 http://sutton.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s26476/wefare%20reform.pdf
Signed:
Strategic Director ± Resources
Dated: 14 November 2013 1 Background 1.1 From 1st April 2013 responsibility for the Community Care Grant (CCGs) and Crisis Loans (CLs) transferred to local authorities from the Department of Work and Pensions.
1.2 A report was presented to HEB committee on 19th March 2013, which detailed the eligibility criteria (attached at Appendix G) IRU6XWWRQ¶VFULVLVORDQDQG grant scheme and agreed that a progress report would be provided in November 2013.
1.3 7KLVUHSRUWGHWDLOVWKHILQGLQJVRIDPRQWKUHYLHZRI6XWWRQ¶VFULVLVJUDQWDQG loan scheme and has been structured under 4 headings: current performance; stakeholder feedback; comparison nationally and links to fuel and food poverty projects.
1.4 7KLVUHSRUWDOVRLQFOXGHVUHFRPPHQGDWLRQVIRULPSURYHPHQWVWR6XWWRQ¶V scheme as a result of this review.
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2 Review findings Current Performance 2.1 Sutton Council received 437 applications to its crisis loan or grant scheme between April and August 2013. The scheme has spent £62,737, of which 91% (£56,871) was awarded as a grant (see Appendix A).
2.2 To date 30 applications have incorporated a loan element, of which: 4 have been repaid in full; 9 are being paid back regularly; 15 have not had a repayment to date and 2 are overdue for payment. The loans that are overdue are following the Corporate Debt Recovery process: reminder letters and phone calls, if that is not successful then a home visit will take place and eventually the matter would be referred to an external debt recovery agent.
2.3 The scheme has provided support for the following items: Furniture and white goods (£46,295); Food vouchers (£12,235); Utility bill top ups (£3,633); Travel and clothing (£574).
2.4 Over half of the approved applications have children in the household and 26% of claims have someone in the house with a disability. The Council have ensured that where applicable the specialist needs of people with disabilities have been met through the crisis loan and grant scheme. Examples of this are detailed in Appendix B - case studies A and B.
2.5 The scheme has an under representation of applications from people over the age of 65 (3% of applications). Similar proportions were recorded within this age group under the previous Department of Work and Pensions scheme.
2.6 Twenty five percent of applications were from people from Black Minority Ethnic communities which is representative of the wider Sutton community, discussions with the Sutton Centre for Equalities identified that we need to do more to raise the awareness of the scheme with people who first language is not English.
2.7 During the first 6 months 77% (346) applications were approved; 14% of applications (59) were refused and the remaining 8% (32) were ineligible. Cases where applications have been refused fall into 3 categories: Claims are for items that the Council does not cover in the crisis loan and grant scheme e.g. televisions, school uniforms, rent in advance, car unclamping, fines and flower pots; The situation has not been deemed a crisis or emergency, and; Applicants have the means to help themselves e.g. savings.
2.8 The target timescales to process applications (Appendix C) have all been met 100% of the time and of the 437 applications only 2 have applicants have asked for a reconsideration of their application following refusal and only 1 person has taken this to a second stage complaint.
2.9 Seventy percent of applications received to date have been by phone; 25% online applications and the remaining 5% by paper.
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2.10 The Out of Hours service has referred to the crisis loan and grant scheme twice during the first 6 months. In these cases support was arranged to meet the needs of the applicant until the next working day at which time the revenues and benefits team made contact with the applicants and completed a full application form.
2.11 To date the only amendment made to the scheme is the inclusion of the cost of installation when items such as washing machines and cookers have been applied for.
Stakeholder feedback 2.12 As part of the review of the crisis loan and grant scheme the Council surveyed applicants to get feedback on areas including how the application process was and whether the award helped their situation.
2.13 The results of the survey were mainly positive: 89% of respondents were satisfied with the level of help and support they received from Council staff; 89% of respondents were also satisfied with the speed that their application was processed, and; 90% of respondents stated that receiving support through vouchers was helpful or very helpful. The majority of respondents (92%) felt the support solved or went someway to solving their crisis Two thirds of respondents found the application process easy or very easy 85% of respondents are satisfied with the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme
2.14 In addition to the survey several in depth case studies were conducted which reinforced the positive feedback received through the survey but also identified wider positives including the scheme being administered by the revenue and benefits service so that applicants wider needs can be identified and they can be linked into other support available such as a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). An example of this is detailed in Appendix B - case study B.
2.15 The feedback identified areas where the scheme could be improved, these included: Increasing the awareness of the scheme. Particularly through other organisations as 87% of applicants hear about the scheme through the Council. Expansion of criteria to allow more than 2 applications during a 12 month period as some respondents stated that one claim in six months is not always enough to help manage a crisis/emergency. Directions to the Vine Project, as some respondents reported having difficulties in finding the location of the warehouse/office.
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2.16 Since April, we have adapted our service in terms of letters produced, clearer maps to the Vine Project and by instructing any complaints the public mention to the vine project that they direct these complaints back to us to address. 2.17 In addition the Benefits Team hold quarterly meetings with The Vine Project and address any issues we both have or issues our residents have raised direct with us. As a result of these discussions the Council made a £15,000 up front payment to the Vine Project in late September 2013 to overcome cash flow issues resulting from the high demand for white goods. Since this payment has been made their stock levels are fine and all goods that were waiting have been delivered and installed where required. 2.18 As part of the stakeholder feedback the Council held a workshop with local organisations including Sutton Foodbank; Sutton Jobcentre; Sutton Citizen Advice Bureau and Age UK to get feedback on how 6XWWRQ¶VFULVLVORDQDQG grant scheme has affected their organisation and the people they support.
2.19 Once again much of the feedback received at the workshop echoed those received for the applicants surveyed, with stakeholders reporting that:
The voucher based system was good and minimised the chances of misuse The representative from the job centre working with local prisons reported that they were spending less time on applications than they did on the DWP community care grants scheme.
2.20 Areas for improvement and issues that need to be addressed identified through the stakeholder workshop included:
Increasing the number of claims during the year particularly for foods and utilities; Increasing eligibility to include boiler repairs and moving costs; The Vine Project¶VFDSDFLW\WRmeet demand for white goods; Long waiting times when calling the main Council switchboard and there not being able select a transfer option for crisis loans and grants. This was identified as part of a mystery shopping exercise undertaken by Age UK.
2.21 A more general point was raised at the workshop that demand at 6XWWRQ¶V Foodbank had increased over 100% between April and August 2013 compared to last year and some staple foods were unavailable. The Council provided 6XWWRQ¶V)RRGEDQNZLWK WRFRYHUWKHLUFRVWRIVWRUDJHIRUD year and £1,000 in food vouchers from the crisis loan and grant scheme following discussions with them. The food vouchers have enabled them to increase their stock of staple foods.
2.21 It is accepted that the )RRGEDQN¶VLQFUHDVHGGHPDQGLVGXHWRPDQ\IDFWRUV including welfare changes and the economic climate. However, increasing the awareness of the crisis loan and grant scheme would aim to support people
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Agenda Item 10 Page 56
so that they did not require further support from the Foodbank.
2.22 7KH&RXQFLO¶VWHOHSKRQHURXWLQJV\VWHPZDVDPHQGHGLPPHGLDWHO\IROORZLQJ feedback from Age UK. Crisis Loans and Grants is now included clearly in the options and those calls are routed directly to a revenues and benefits officer to help the resident.
Comparison Nationally 2.23 6XWWRQ&RXQFLO¶VFULVLVORDQDQGJUDQWVFKHPHKDVVSHQW6 percent of the £422k social fund budget between April and August 2013. This is in line with spending elsewhere in London with the Outer London average being 11 percent.
2.24 It is expected that demand for the crisis loan and grant scheme will be subject to seasonal variation with higher demand in the winter months. As such a lower spend during the first 6 months is to be expected. However, the Council is working with voluntary organisations to explore how to raise awareness of the scheme and further reach those with most need.
2.25 In June 2013WKH&KLOGUHQ¶V6RFLHW\SXEOLVKHGDUHSRUWµ1RZKHUHWRWXUQWR" Changes to emergency support¶ZKLFKRXWOLQHVWKHPDLQHOHPHQWVLQLocal Authorities welfare assistance schemes and provides recommendations for creating a fair and effective local scheme. The recommendations and how Sutton¶VFULVLVORDQDQGJUDQWVcheme meets these are detailed at Appendix D showing WKDW6XWWRQ&RXQFLO¶VFULVLVORDQDQGJUDQWVFKHPHPHHWVDOOWKHVH recommendations with the exception of: µ/RFDOZHOIDUHDVVLVWDQFHVFKHPHVVKRXOGQRWUHVWULFWHOLJLELOLW\RQWKHEDVLVRI DFFHVVWRKHOSDYDLODEOHIURPIULHQGVDQGIDPLO\¶ µ/RFDOZHOIDUHDVVLVWDQFHVFKHPHVVKRXOGLQFOXGHVXSSRUWZLWKUHQWLQDGYDQFH¶
2.26 7KH&RXQFLO¶VSosition remains that individuals would not be eligible for a crisis loan and grant if family and friends are able and willing to help them. This is in line with the eligibility of other Local Authority schemes.
2.27 Assistance for rent in advance is covered by the housing advice service which is why it is specifically excluded from the crisis loan and grant scheme.
Food and fuel poverty Strategies 2.28 In October 2013 The Health and Wellbeing Board agreed as part of the NHS funding transfer to Adult Social Services to fund a project to research the issue of food poverty in Sutton.
2.29 The project will identify the food poverty issues facing Sutton Citizens particularly taking account of any health and wellbeing impacts, and determine whether there have been significant changes as a consequence of Welfare Reform (i.e. increased demand). The project will provide a comprehensive map of existing resources thereby enabling the Council and
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its partners to further determine ways in which citizens can be supported or signposted to sources of assistance.
2.30 In addition the Housing Economy and Business Committee agreed in October to set up a joint Task and Finish Group of Members from the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee and the Housing Economy and Business Committee to oversee the development of the fuel poverty strategy.
2.31 This 6 month review of the crisis loan and grant scheme will feed into the food poverty and fuel poverty work.
Other Council µ*rants¶ available 2.32 As has been noted earlier in this report the revenues and benefits team administering the crisis loan and grant scheme enables a wider consideration of support that is available than just the crisis loan and grant being applied for e.g. discretionary housing payments.
2.33 The Council also administers other discretionary µgrants¶ through different directorates for example monies provided to children under section 17 of the &KLOGUHQ¶V$FW , Leaving Care Grant to support care leavers to set up home and the Carers Flexible Fund (Carers Personal Budget). As part of this review consideration was given as to whether there was benefit in DGPLQLVWHULQJDOOWKHVHµJUDQWV¶ZLWKLQDVLQJOHWHDP
2.34 The monies provided under section 17 RIWKH&KLOGUHQ¶V$FW DUHPDGHWR families where the child has been assessed as being a µchild in need¶ in order to prevent them becoming looked after or failing to meet their potential. Practically Section 17 payments are made after an assessment by a Social Worker and they will need to identify the needs of the child that will be met by paying out Section 17 money.
2.35 The Leaving Care grant is money provided to care leavers to help them set up home towards their first steps in independent living. Care Leavers are supported by their Social Worker to ensure that the money is spent on essential items and to help them obtain value for money.
2.36 The Carers Flexible Fund (Carers Personal Budget) is administered by Adult Social Services and provides a grant to unpaid carers providing a substantial amount of care. Whilst this payment is currently discretionary the Care Bill 2013 introduces additional statutory duties for Adult Social Services to meet carers eligible needs through a carers personal budget. This will remove the discretionary element of this grant.
2.37 As all these discretionary grants are provided following a social work assessment, and in the case of the carers personal budget will not be discretionary with the implementation of the Care Bill it is recommended that WKHVHµJUDQWV¶FRQWLQXHWREHDGPLQLVWHUHGZLWKLQWKHLUFXUUHQWGLUHFWRUDWHV
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Croydon, Merton and Sutton Credit Union (CMS)
2.38 The CMS is promoted by the Council; however, there has been very low take up from customers experiencing hardship. This is because they cannot commit to making even the smallest of payments and customers that have shown an interest have declined when they are made aware how they can access their savings. Current access to individual savings accounts involves members needing to contact the CMS and request a withdrawal. There is no immediate access to savings and this means people with limited access to income are reluctant to join and save. The clients seen by the Welfare Reform officer at Parents Groups, Children Centres, Primary Schools and other Open Day events appear to agree in principle that the CMS is beneficial to the community but have been reluctant to join because of their expectations in needing to access their money immediately
2.39 The CMS is currently piloting a Credit Union Prepaid card for members. The card works like a pay-as-you-go Visa card. The Credit Union loads money onto the card and the member can then use it immediately wherever Visa is DFFHSWHGHJ$70¶VSXUFKDVHVin shops, or online. This may help encourage members to join if access to the savings is made easier.
2.40 The CMS is very scarcely resourced and this continues to prevent a stronger working arrangement allowing the Council to use the CMS as an alternative provider of loans. The CMS works best as a loans provider for members who already save with the Credit Union. They briefly introduced a Flexi-loan product (maximum loan of £500) for new members who had not yet started saving but had to withdraw the product quite soon due to an extremely high default rate. As the CMS is a non profit organisation they need to consider member¶s money is being lent out responsibly so there needs to be sufficient governance and assurances in place to ensure loans can and will be repaid.
2.41 The CMS is currently looking for volunteers within their membership to become Credit Union Loan Panel Officers who will consider individual loans to members and help expedite loan applications. They are also recruiting for Volunteer Outreach Workers to assist with increasing enquiries and to help engage with the public at outreach events in the three boroughs. The recruitment programme has been ongoing since at least August but historically it can take a long time to recruit volunteers to these types of roles.
2.42 The CMS continue to review their products for their members to help encourage membership and also to increase loan applications. They have recently introduced a Family loan product which allows members to repay a Credit Union loan via their child benefit. Loans are issued on receipt of the ILUVW&KLOG%HQHILWSD\PHQWZKLFKWKH':3FDQSD\GLUHFWO\LQWRWKHPHPEHU¶V saving account. A new premier loan has also been introduced where long term members with a good savings history can apply for loans of up to £7,500 at a reduced rate of interest. Limited publicity has occurred so far for these new products.
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Page 59 Agenda Item 10
Recommendations 3.1 Members are asked to agree the following recommendations: 1) Note report, in particular spend to date and feedback from users and stakeholders 2) Amend criteria to enable people to apply for food and utilities twice during a 12 month period 3) Undertake targeted promotion of crisis loans and grant to under-represented groups e.g. older people and people from BME communities 4) Agree the Council supports the CMS in publicising their loan products, especially the benefits of the Family loan. 5) Agree the Council undertakes a stakeholder meeting for all CMS partners, to produce a joined up marketing strategy, raising the profile of the CMS across all three boroughs.
Impacts and Implications: Financial 4.1 The Council has received £89k from the Department of Work and Pensions for administration costs in year one. This is being used to cover staffing and system costs. The Council has received £422k to administer in loans and grants. It is anticipated that the funding from the DWP will continue at the same level in 2014/15 and will be reviewed in 2015/16.
4.2 The scheme has allocated a total of £63k in crisis loans and grants from April to August. This leaves a balance of £359k still to be allocated and suggests that there may be a large under spend on the scheme. However, the demand for the scheme is subject to seasonal variation with higher demand during the winter months. The Council is also working with voluntary sector organisations to try and raise awareness of the scheme which may increase the number of grants and loans allocated during the second half of the year.
Legal 4.3 There are no additions to previous reports. All risks and mitigations have been addressed.
Equalities
4.4 An integrated impact assessment is attached at Appendix E.
Consultation 5.1 An extensive consultation process was undertaken prior to implementing the crisis loan and grant scheme in April 2013 (details of this consultation are included in the report to HEB committee 19th March 2013).
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Agenda Item 10 Page 60
5.2 As part of the review process the views of stakeholders was obtained to explore how well the crisis loan and grant scheme was working and whether any changes needed to be made. This report provides an overview of the findings and the consultation report is included at Appendix F.
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Appendices
Appendix A LB Sutton Total applications and awards Applications that have loans Total Total value of loaned Applications Awards awards (£) Applications Awards (£) April 62 37 £5,817 1 1 May 65 50 £7,902 8 8 June 66 53 £7,389 2 2 July 87 78 £17,850 7 7 August 86 65 £12,610 6 6 September 71 63 £11,169 6 6 Total 437 346 £62,737 30 30 £5,866 NOTES: Amount collected as of 30 September £1,184 4 loans have been repaid in full, 9 loans are being paid back regularly, 15 loans have had no repayments made and are overdue and 2 loans are not yet due payment.
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Appendix B Case Study A The Council bought a table top washer for an applicant in a wheelchair living in a property that did not have a pipe outlet for a washing machine. This enabled the applicant to complete daily washing at home and ensured that their live in carer could spend more time caring for them instead of daily visits to the laundrette.
Case Study B Miss C applied to the crisis loan and grant scheme for help as her cooker had broken. Her application was successful and the revenue and benefits officers were able to source Miss C a cooker from The Vine Project. However, due to her disability she required a cooker with a set height and the ability for the top drawer to pull down so she could rest food on top. As a result the cooker was sourced IURP&XUU\¶Vwith delivery and installation arranged at the same time.
During Miss C¶VDSSOLFDWLRQKHUEHQHILWFODLPZDVDOVRORRNHGLQWRDVLVWKHSUDFWLFH for all cases, and the Council noticed she was affected by the social rent room restriction (bedroom tax) due to her son moving out. As she had just lost her job, she was unable to meet the shortfall in rent; using the same application, a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) was awarded for 5 months to enable Miss C to find employment and remain in her property.
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Page 63 Agenda Item 10
Appendix C
Service standards for processing claims are as follows:
Claims will be dealt with same day if received before 2pm; Claims received after 2pm will be dealt with by noon the next day; Resettlement applications will be dealt with within 5 days; Reconsideration of application following refusal will be completed within 24 hours Appeals will be completed within 20 days
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Agenda Item 10 Page 64
Appendix D &KLOGUHQ¶V6RFLHW\UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV 6XWWRQ¶VCrisis Loan and Grant scheme Local authorities should seek ways to 6XWWRQ&RXQFLO¶V&ULVLVORDQDQGJUDQW offer interest free loans scheme offer an interest free loan for applications over £350, with the first £350 awarded provided as a grant. Some access to cash assistance should In exceptional circumstance cash has been be maintained awarded as part of the award. All local authorities should use the Sutton Council has used the money money they receive to establish a provided by Central Government from the scheme of financial assistance for people Social fund to establish the crisis loan and who need support in times of crisis, or to grant scheme. live independently in the community Local welfare assistance schemes 6XWWRQ&RXQFLO¶VVFKHPHGRHVQRWVXSSRUW should include support with rent in people with rent in advance. This is provided advance by the Housing Advice Service. Local welfare assistance schemes The crisis loan and grant scheme does not should not restrict eligibility to restrict eligibility to households in receipt of households in receipt of out of work out of work benefits. The scheme is also benefits eligible to people that are on a low working income receiving housing benefit or a council tax reduction Local welfare assistance schemes The scheme does not restrict eligibility on should not restrict eligibility on the basis the basis of access to consumer credit. of access to consumer credit Local welfare assistance schemes 6XWWRQ&RXQFLO¶VVFKHPHGRHVH[SHFW should not restrict eligibility on the basis individuals to access help from friends and of access to help available from friends family and eligibility is restricted on this and family basis. Local welfare assistance schemes The scheme is open to claimants under the should be open to claimants aged 16 and age of 18 that are responsible over for the household they live in i.e. registered for rent or can demonstrate a new liability for rent or Council Tax Local authorities should not set lengthy Applicants must be resident in the borough periods of residency before households for 6 weeks before they are eligible. can get access to local welfare However, for cases of domestic violence and assistance homelessness applications will be accepted through partner agencies Exemptions from residency criteria Exceptions for residency criteria are should be established and specified for included within the scheme and are all local welfare assistance schemes accepted through identified referral organisation e.g. domestic violence groups, homeless groups Repeat applications should not be Repeat applications are allowed but not for automatically prohibited, particularly in the same reason. This is recommended to cases where an award has not previously be amended to enable individuals to apply been made for food on 2 occasions within 12 month period
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Access needs to be provided through Applicants are accepted via phone and both phone and online, but there should online. Partner organisations provide face- also be clear face-to-face routes to-face support for individuals to make available to make claims (this may be via claims. partner services such as Citizens Advice Bureau) Applications should not be limited to Individuals can apply directly to the Council referrals [through organisations] only and do not need to be referred through partner organisations All local authority schemes should All decisions received before 2pm are dealt recognise where the need is urgent and with the same day and any received after aim to make a decision in these cases 2pm are dealt with by noon the next day. within 24 hours of the relevant evidence being provided All local authority schemes should Resettlement applications are dealt with ensure that decisions on community care within 5 days. support schemes are made within at least 21 days (15 working days) of the relevant evidence being presented All local authority schemes should A review process is in place. Stage 1 is provide a review process for applicants Council officer reconsidering applications to ask for a reconsideration of the and then stage 2 of the Councils complaints decision made in their case where there procedure and then the Local Ombudsman is fresh evidence or factual errors were made Local welfare assistance schemes Access to credit is not included as part of should not restrict eligibility on the basis 6XWWRQ¶VHOLJLELOLW\FULWHULD of access to consumer credit
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Agenda Item 10 Page 66 Appendix E
Integrated Impact Assessment Form
This template sets out questions for the full IIA. The sections you must complete are sections 1, 2, 3 and 6. The other sections on local economy and sustainability must only be completed if they are relevant to your proposal. Use any qualitative or quantitative data where possible, including any financial data in the latter sections.
Section 1: Aims and demographics
a. Is this a new policy or a review of an existing policy or service?
This is a review of a the Crisis Loans and Grants scheme
b. What are the aims and purpose of this proposal?
Local scheme to support people who are unable to meet their immediate short term needs for general living expenses, hardship or crisis payments. Help people establish in the community following a stay in institution or care home in which they receive care.
c. Which of the geographic areas does this proposal affect? (insert any specific wards or state all borough)
All Borough
Section 2: Equality and diversity
a. Which stakeholder group or groups does this proposal affect? (e.g. Staff at LBS, residents, third and voluntary sector)
Residents, third and voluntary sector and LBS staff
b. Whose needs is the proposal designed to meet? (e.g. include any specific impact on protected group members e.g. older people, disabled people, BME),
Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans are designed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in society. They aim to support people to remain in the community without
Page 67 Agenda Item 10 Appendix E necessarily having to access specialist provision through Council social care teams.
The service is aimed at people on benefits or people who are working but living in poverty.
c. What evidence has been collected to inform this proposal?
,QWKHILUVWPRQWKV6XWWRQ¶VFULVLVORDQDQGJUDQWVFKHPHKDVVXSSRUWHGWKHIROORZLQJ groups of individuals
Analysis of Crisis Loans Paid April to Aug 2013
Age Percentage Number
Under 18 0% 0
18 to 24 20% 49
25 to 34 25% 61
35 to 44 22% 55
45 to 54 20% 49
55 to 64 10% 25
65 to 69 1% 2
70 to 79 2% 5
80 to 89 0% 0
90 and over 0% 0
Sex
Female 62% 153
Male 38% 93
Children in household
Yes 49% 120
No 51% 126
Disability in household
Yes 51% 125
Agenda Item 10 Page 68 Appendix E
No 49% 121
Partner in household
Yes 17% 43
No 83% 203
Proportion of successful Ethnicity applications Asian or Asian British : Any other background 2.2% Asian or Asian British : Bangladeshi 0.4% Asian or Asian British : Indian 0.4% Black-Black British : African 3.0% Black-Black British : Caribbean 3.0% Black-Black British : Other 2.6% Mixed : Any other mixed background 0.4% Mixed : White and Asian 0.4% Mixed : White and Black African 1.3% Mixed : White and Black Caribbean 0.4% White : Any other background 7.8% White : British 75.4% White : Irish 2.6%
d. What equality-related information, for example through consultation with stakeholders, has been gathered on this proposal? (indicate the type of information gathered and ensure you address ethnicity, disability, gender, age, religion and sexual orientation. You can also include people with caring responsibilities. Attach a summary or refer to where the evidence is held.) Information was obtained and an IIA completed as part of the crisis loan and grant implementation. There were no outstanding issues identified at that time. Feedback was sought from stakeholders as part of a 6 month review through a workshop. Attendees included:
Organisation
The Vine Project
Job Centre
Sutton CAB
Sutton Age UK
Page 69 Agenda Item 10 Appendix E
Foodbank
Carers Centre
Sutton Housing Partnership
Roundshaw Homes
In addition Council officers attended Sutton Centre for Equality to discuss the crisis loan and grant scheme and conducted a survey and case studies with successful applicants. A report was completed detailing these findings (attached at Appendix F).
e. In what ways might the proposal impact positively or negatively on some groups of people? (Please ensure you address ethnicity, disability, gender, age, religion and sexual orientation. You can also include people with caring responsibilities.)
Comments received as part of the 6 month review were as follows
General comments relating to vulnerable people
Need to raise awareness of crisis loan and grant scheme ± majority of applicants find out about the scheme through the Council
Ethnicity
Applications for the scheme from BME communities are representative of Sutton community. However, feedback from Sutton Centre for Equalities is that many people are unaware fo the scheme (links to awareness raising above)
Disability
Items awarded as part of the application process are discussed with the individual to ensure WKH\PHHWDQ\VSHFLILFQHHGVUHODWLQJWRDQLQGLYLGXDO¶VGLVDELOLW\
Age
Under representation of applications for residents over the age of 65 (links to awareness raising above)
Religion
No negative comments received
Sexual orientation
No negative comments received
People with caring responsibilities
No negative comments received
Gender
Agenda Item 10 Page 70 Appendix E
No negative comments received
Social class
No negative comments received
f. What will be done to promote equality of opportunity as part of this proposal?
To increase awareness of the scheme an article will be included in future newsletters that are received by all benefits claimants in the borough. The Council will also work with the voluntary sector and other partners to increase the awareness of the scheme.
Section 3: Health and well being
Please note: Data from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment can be used to fill in this section of the form, which can be accessed here: http://www.suttonjsna.org.uk/
a. In what way could this proposal positively or negatively impact on the physical and/or PHQWDOZHOOEHLQJRIUHVLGHQWV" HJ« ,IWKHUHLVDQHJDWLYH impact what action will be taken to mitigate this? What evidence has been or will be collected?
The proposal will provide a positive impact on the most vulnerable people in the community helping them through a crisis situation both in terms of short term financially as well as signposting to wider support. This could contribute to an improved quality of life for the most vulnerable adults. This will be reviewed through the monitoring of public health data and the improvement in quality of life and life expectancy in the most deprived areas of Sutton.
b. ,QZKDWZD\FRXOGWKLVSURSRVDOKDYHDSRVLWLYHRUQHJDWLYHLPSDFWRQDQLQGLYLGXDO¶V RSSRUWXQLW\WRLPSURYHWKHLURZQKHDOWKDQGZHOOEHLQJ" HJ« ,IWKHUHLVDQHJDWLYH impact what action will be taken to mitigate this? What evidence has or will be collected?
When applications are rejected the revenue and benefits team provide information about other support available.
c. In what way could this proposal positively or negatively impact disproportionally on the health and wellbeing of one or more different communities? (e.g. improve the lives and health of a vulnerable group such as people with learning disabilities). If there is a negative impact what action will be taken to mitigate this?
Page 71 Agenda Item 10 Appendix E
As above
Section 4: Local Economy
Is this section relevant to your proposal? Yes Yes No
a. Will this proposal affect the local job market, local business or local inward investment to the borough? The scheme provides vouchers they can be redeemed at local businesses; the 2nd hand furniture and white goods scheme is run by a vol. orgs.
b. Does this proposal impact upon employment opportunities for residents in Sutton?
The 2nd hand furniture and white goods organisation used in the scheme supports on the job training scheme for ex-prisoners and long term unemployed.
c. Does this proposal provide opportunities for the third sector organisations and or local businesses in Sutton?
As above
Section 5: Sustainability
Is this section relevant to your proposal? Yes yes No
a. Is this proposal sustainable medium or long term for improving services in Sutton?
The proposed scheme operates in the form of a loan for applications over £350 (the first £350 will always be awarded in the form of a grant). Recovered monies can be recycled back in the scheme ensuring future sustainability.
b. Is this proposal sustainable medium or long term for improving services in Sutton?
Long term
c. Is this proposal a cost ± effective use of resources?
Agenda Item 10 Page 72 Appendix E
yes
d. If applicable; does this proposal have any impact on the environment and One Planet Living Principles in Sutton? (e.g. does it impact upon reducing waste, encourage the use of carbon neutral modes of transport conserve the environment or encourage the efficient use of water? Please see guidance for further details if this is relevant to your policy or review).
Not applicable
Section 6: Actions and Publications
a. Please rate the overall impact identified through this assessment with the level of action that needs to be taken (delete as appropriate):
Adjustments to remove barriers identified by the assessment or to better advance equality. (Are you satisfied that the proposed adjustments will remove the barriers identified?)
b. What actions are going to be taken as a result of this IIA to address negative impacts or previously met unidentified needs?
Increase awareness of scheme particularly to underrepresented groups as identified above.
c. What data monitoring or evaluation activity has been put into place to monitor the impact of this proposal?
7KLVZLOOEHLQFRUSRUDWHGZLWKLQWKH&RXQFLO¶VIXHODQGIRRGSRYHUW\ZRUN
d. Sign- off ( Your completed IIA must be signed off by a Head of Service)
Please forward this completed IIA to [email protected] so that it can be published on the website.
Page 73 Agenda Item 10
Appendix F
RHYLHZRIWKH&RXQFLO¶V&ULVLV/RDQDQG Grant Scheme September 2013
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Agenda Item 10 Page 74
Appendix F
Contents
Introduction ...... 3 Key Themes ...... 3 Summary of Stakeholder engagement findings ...... 5 If at all, how has the new Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme impacted your organisation?...... 5 Thinking about the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme, what has and has not worked well? ...... 5 How do you think the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme could be improved? ...... 6 Summary of Questionnaire findings ...... 7 Summary of Case Study findings ...... 7 Appendix ...... 9 Appendix item 1 - If at all how has the new Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme impacted your organisation? ...... 9 Appendix item 2 - 7KLQNLQJDERXWWKH&RXQFLO¶V&ULVLs Loan and Grant Scheme, what has and has not worked well? ...... 10 Appendix item 3 - How do you think the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme could be improved? ... 11 Appendix Item 4- Questionnaire Results ...... 13 Appendix Item 5- Case studies ...... 17
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Appendix F Introduction
On 1st April 2013 the Department of Work and Pensions transferred responsibility for crisis loans and grants to local authorities. Since 1st April Sutton Council have received 366 applications, of which 283 have been approved. Over a half of the approved applications have children in the household. In total £51,568 has been paid out, of which only £5,293 is a loan. In Sutton the scheme has now been in place for 6 months, as a result a review of the current arrangements has taken place to establish the effectiveness of the current scheme and consider recommendations for improvements. The review is made up of three parts:
Stakeholder feedback ± Key partners were invited to hear an update on the crisis loan and grant scheme and take part in a small workshop to share some of their thoughts on the scheme. Customer feedback through a survey± A short questionnaire was sent to all 174 residents who have received a crisis loan or grant since April 2013 (as at late June 2013). The questionnaire asked for satisfaction on various aspects of the scheme, such as the time to process the application. Case studies ± Three interviews were conducted with crisis loan and grant recipients to learn more about the application process and how the scheme helped them through the emergency.
Key Themes Below are the key themes that have been identified through the three review methods. These themes help to show the key areas for success and development. Areas of success
Good customer service ± The questionnaire revealed that 89% of respondents are satisfied with the level of help and support they received from Council staff. The questionnaire and case studies also included numerous comments regarding the positive and helpful work of Council staff. Application processing time ± 89% of questionnaire respondents were satisfied with the speed that their application was processed. Stakeholders also commented on how the quick turnaround meant residents would get the help they need quickly. Provides much needed help ± Stakeholders thought that issuing vouchers instead of cash ensured that it was used solely to reduce the impact of the emergency/crisis. This was also shown in the questionnaire as 90% of respondents stated receiving support in the way they did was helpful or very helpful. The case studies also highlighted that without the scheme many individuals would not be able buy the goods themselves.
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Appendix F
Possible areas for development
Lack of awareness for the scheme within the Council, key partners and residents ± All of the different feedback methods revealed that there was a lack of awareness regarding the scheme. For example the questionnaire showed that only 13% of respondents had heard about the scheme through an organisation other than the Council, which could suggest organisations are not aware of / or signposting people to the scheme. Lack of engagement after vouchers issued ± Both the questionnaire and case studies highlighted that the Council has no system in place to check the success of the voucher/referral. The case studies show that there are sometimes mechanical or delivery issues which the Council would not be aware of, unless notified by the customer. The questionnaire could also suggest that the support from the Council is not enough, as 28% of respondents sought help from elsewhere during the crisis. Updating the eligibility criteria ± The stakeholder engagement raised the possibility of updating the criteria to include boiler repairs, moving costs and two claims in six months for food and utilities. Similar points were also raised in the questionnaire, where some respondents stated that one claim in six months is not always enough to help manage the crisis/emergency. Specific Vine Project related issues ± The case studies revealed that individuals have issues with finding the location for the Vine Project, at the stakeholder engagement the Vine project also expressed concerns about being able to meet demand for certain types of product e.g. fridges going forward.
More specific areas of success and areas for development can be found under each of the different feedback method findings. To help address some of these areas of development a meeting will be held with the team leading on the review of the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme. The report can then be updated after the meeting to show any changes to the scheme.
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Appendix F
Summary of Stakeholder engagement findings A stakeholder event was held in September 2013 to update key partners on the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme journey so far and to gather their feedback on areas of success and development. The following provides a summary of the findings from the engagement activities. The stakeholder event was attended by 10 representatives from local organisations, including the foodbank, the Job Centre and the Vine Project.
If at all, how has the new Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme impacted your organisation?
For many of the organisations there had been little or no impact since April 2013. It was only The Vine Project and the foodbank that stated that they had felt there had been an increase in the demand for their services.
The foodbank have had an increase of over 100% compared to January ± August 2012, however this could also be linked to many other factors such as welfare changes and the economic climate. The Vine Project also stated that the demand has increased rapidly, especially with white goods. As a provider for Merton, Surrey and Sutton the issue of having enough white goods in stock for residents is increasingly becoming an issue.
A representative from the Job Centre Prisoner Outreach Service stated that as they are no longer required to complete application forms they have more time to focus on other areas of work.
A full list of the comments made can be found in appendix 1.
Thinking about the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme, what has and has not worked well? Overall there was positive feedback for the scheme. Some of the key areas where attendees felt the scheme worked well are shown below: The short time taken by the Council to process applications ± The quick turnaround in applications meant that people were able to access the support they needed quickly. The use of vouchers instead of cash ± By providing vouchers the Council are able to ensure the support is used to manage the emergency or crisis, filter out any lifestyle choices and minimise the chances of misuse. Cross checking against the benefit database ± By cross checking applications against the benefit database key information, such as benefit payment dates and previous fraud offences can be identified. This ensures that the right amount and type of support is given. Checking the database also means that other issues can identified, such as those impacted by welfare reform, and action taken to help reduce the chance of future emergencies, for H[DPSOHRIIHULQJ'+3¶V
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Agenda Item 10 Page 78
Appendix F
7KHDUHDVZKLFKDWWHQGHHVIHOWKDGQ¶WZRUNHGZHOODUHVXPPDULVHGEHORZ Calling the Crisis loan and grant scheme number ± Mystery shopping by AgeUK highlighted that there are long call waiting times and that when calling the main Council number there is no option for crisis loans and grants. Risk of lying through telephone applications ± It was felt by some attendees that telephone applications made it easier for residents to lie or exaggerate their current circumstances and that face-to-face interviews may be the best way to ascertain the true extent of the crisis or emergency. Council reception referring residents directly to the foodbank ± A foodbank UHSUHVHQWDWLYHH[SODLQHGWKDWRQDIHZRFFDVLRQVWKH\¶YHKDGUHVLGHQWVDUULYHDWWKH foodbank expecting help after they have been referred directly by the Civic Office Reception. These residents arrive with no referral slip and therefore have not been through the crisis loan and grant application procedure. Residents wishing to change their referral ± On a few occasions The Vine Project had experienced residents which to change the type of good or furniture on their referral.
Appendix 2 shows a full list of the comments made by the attendees.
How do you think the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme could be improved?
Below provides a summary of the suggested ideas for improvement. The possible action taken by the Council will be considered as part of the wider review of the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme. Address call waiting times and include crisis loan on call directory Ensure Council is prepared for the possibility of increased demand on the service with increasing welfare cuts and when the weather gets colder Extend eligibility criteria to include the following areas: boiler repairs, moving costs and 2 claims within 6 months for food and utilities Work with the Vine Project to help manage the demand for white goods ,PSURYHSDUWQHUV¶DZDUHQHVVRI&ULVLVORDQVDQGRWKHUEHQHILWVDYDLODEOHWRUHVLGHQWV Improve the dialogue between the Council, foodbank and the Job Centre Identify if there is need to include the residents who have been benefit sanctioned into the eligibility criteria. Increase the debt information available to residents
A full list of the suggested areas for improvement can be found in Appendix 3.
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Page 79 Agenda Item 10
Appendix F
Summary of Questionnaire findings
Areas of success Two thirds of respondents found the application process easy or very easy 89% of respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with the level of help and support they received from Council employees 89% of respondents were satisfied with the time it took the Council to process their application The majority of respondents (92%) felt the support solved or went someway to solving their crisis 85% of respondents are satisfied with the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme
Possible areas for development Only 13% of respondents heard about the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme through an organisation other than the Council Almost a third of respondents sought help from elsewhere during their crisis/emergency which, as 12a suggests, was most commonly from friends of family.
Summary of Case Study findings
Areas of success The Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme is very much needed ±As shown in the case studies, individuals on a low income or on benefits would find it difficult to purchase these items themselves. Case Study 2 also highlighted that after trying to work, bring up a family and manage a disability, the no-strings-attached support from the Council felt like she being given a break for the first time. Good customer service ± All of the case studies commented on how they found the Council Officers really helpful and supportive through the application process. Speedy processing of applications ± The speed in which the applications were processed was highly praised by the case studies. Possible areas for development
Lack of follow up ± Case Study 1 and 2 highlight that there is the chance of goods failing to work and the Council being unaware until they are notified by the individual themselves. Lack of awareness of scheme ± The case studies highlight that not all residents are aware that local authorities are now managing crisis loans and grants and that there is this support available.
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Appendix F Location of the Vine Project ± Case studies 1 and 2 show that finding the Vine Project is not always easy.
8
Appendix F Appendix
Appendix item 1 - If at all how has the new Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme impacted your organisation? Group Comment
1 SHP not aware of any impacts ± WKH\GLGQ¶WVXSSRUWWRRPDQ\DSSOLFDWLRQVDQ\ZD\
1 For AgeUK they were not aware of any referrals/claims as the\DUHDQµHQDEOHPHQWVHUYLFH¶Vo they signpost. 1 AgeUK did some mystery shopping and found the shortest wait was 5 callers (5000 number) and crisis loan and grant scheme was not an option
2 The carers Centre have not felt any impact
2 Family information service have not felt any impact but have had the odd question about how people can access the foodbank which suggests that there may be a lack of awareness of support services available.
2 For the Vine Project they have had a 100% increase on services. Not only does that mean on sourcing stock but also on the levels of admin, Page 81 especially as customers come in asking for different items (which then Sutton has to be notified). The Vine Project has had issues where they might not always have white goods in stock.
2 %DVHGRQSUHYLRXVH[SHULHQFHVDQGWKHHFRQRPLFFOLPDWHJURXSWZRWKRXJKWWKHILJXUHVZHUHQ¶WDVKLJKDVWKH\KDGH[SHFWHG7hey thought the low figures may reflect the choice to use vouchers instead of cash.
3 Foodbank has had an increase from the Job Centre and a decrease in referrals from CAB. This could suggest that the Job Centre is signposting directly to the foodbank. For the foodbank 3% have been referred through crisis loans
3 The prison service job centre are not needing to spend time filling in forms so can on other areas
3 Feedback from reception from people applying Agenda Item 10
Agenda Item 10
Appendix F
Appendix item 2 - 7KLQNLQJDERXWWKH&RXQFLO¶V&ULVLV/RDQDQG*UDQW6FKHPHZKDWKDVDQGKDVQRWZRUNHGZHOO"
Group Areas that have worked well
1 Vouchers are very good at filtering out lifestyle choices and meeting basic needs.
1 The customer having some choice at the Vine Project
1 2XWRIKRXUVSURYLVLRQDVLWPHHWVSHRSOH¶VQHHGV 2 Vouchers mean that genuine claimants get the help that they need and takes away the possible temptation that cash might give
2 Quick processing of the applications means people get the support they need quickly. It was felt it was never this quick when managed by the DWP Page 82 2 The staff are enjoying the work and helping people
2 The Council can check the applications against the benefit system to learn and understand more. It can also provide the opportunity to help people in different ways and help to prevent any further emergencies.
2 Using vouchers and checking against the benefit system help to minimise the numbers who may be abusing the system.
3 Turn around in the application times is good
3 Some people might not be interested in receiving a voucher so it means it is only supporting those in crisis and removes any temptation
3 Liked the idea of giving food vouchers over a month and collected weekly ± this could be considered with Universal Credit Group Areas that are not working so well
1 The mystery shopping feedback about call waiting times and no call option for crisis loan and grants
2 Worries that over the telephone applications gives residents the opportunity to exaggerate or lie in order to get more support.
3 The foodbank are currently having referrals from the reception but with no referral slip ±so is reception telling people to go straight to the foodbank?
Appendix F 3 Prisoners using suited and booted and other charities.
Appendix item 3 - How do you think the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme could be improved?
Group Comment
1 The long call waiting times and the lack of crisis loan and grant scheme option missing from the main 5000 number need looking up and resolving
1 For AgeUK there were fewer claims for food than expected, however they suspect this will go up during winter and will have more demand for utilities too. Also expect demand to go up as the welfare changes bite. So the Council needs to be prepared to provide more support for people in the next 6 months.
1 AgeUK suggested an emergency heating supply, so helping with boiler breakdowns, offering a cheap repair service.
2 The Vine Project is currently experiencing a huge demand for white goods and due to current budgets they cannot afford to order in more than a few Page 83 items of white goods once a week/month. This means that they often do not have the goods available to the residents who come to select their items. For the Vine Project they would like to receive an advance from the Council which allows them to buy in more stock available for residents in need.
2 Including moving costs, especially as people may be more likely to move because of welfare changes.
2 Partners were not entirely clear on how the crisis loan and grant scheme worked and who would be eligible. They thought that a regular newsletter or e-bulletin could be a good way to remind partners about the scheme and how it works. The newsletter could also be used to update on other changes in housing and benefits.
2 The council could produce a factsheet/crib sheet which details the support and benefits available; along with the eligibility criteria and contact information.
3 Potential expansion of criteria so can access food and utilities on 2 separate occasions within 6 months. This could have additional conditions put on (however this might require more officer time)
3 Need to have more dialogue between LBS, foodbank and the Job Centre (to help in referrals). Agenda Item 10
3 Increase the debt advice information as people need more help. Job clubs could also be set up to help people prepare job intHUYLHZVDQG&9¶V
Agenda Item 10
Appendix F Group Comment
3 Need to look at the numbers of residents who have their benefits sanctioned to understand if this is an issue in Sutton and if this should be built into the eligibility criteria Page 84
Page 85 Agenda Item 10
Appendix F Appendix Item 4- Questionnaire Results
In total 52 residents returned a completed questionnaire, giving a response rate of 30%.
1. How did you hear about the Crisis Loan and Grant scheme? (Base: 52)
29% through the council/a council employee 29% through a family member or friend 13% through an organisation other the Council 29% through another source Other sources included: The DWP The Job Centre The internet
2. How many applications have you made to the Crisis Loan and Grant scheme since 1st April 2013 (Base: 50) 96% have applied once 4% are applied twice No respondents had applied three or more times
3. How easy to understand was the eligibility criteria for the Crisis Loan and Grant Scheme? (Base: 52) 29% found it very easy 48% found it easy 12% found it difficult 2% found it very difficult 10% have no opinion or did not read the eligibility criteria
4. When you completed your application what did you need it for? (Base: 51) 35% needed food 38% needed household items 20% needed payment for a utility provider And 7% needed for another reason
Other reasons included: Clothing
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Appendix F
5. How did you apply for your Crisis Loan and Grant? (Base: 48) 13% completed a paper application 56% complete the form over the telephone 2% completed an online application form And 8% completed an application form in another way
6. How easy did you find completing the application form? (Base: 46) 28% found the application very easy to complete 37% found it easy 26% found it neither easy or difficult 9% found it difficult and 0% found it very difficult
7. When you were completing the application form how satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the level of help and support you received from Council employees? (Base: 48) 58% were very satisfied 31% were satisfied 6% were neither satisfied or dissatisfied 4% were dissatisfied 0% were very dissatisfied
8. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the time it took the Council to process your application? (Base: 49) 69% of respondents were very satisfied with the time it took the Council to process their application 20% were satisfied 2% were neither satisfied or dissatisfied 6% dissatisfied and 2%very dissatisfied
9. In what form did you receive the loan or grant? (Base: 50)
35% of respondents received vouchers for food from a local supermarket 35% received a referral to local second hand furniture provider 12% received a charging of utility account keys or payment on an account 17% received different types of support, not listed above.
Examples of the different support provided are: The vine project Cash
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Appendix F Cheque
10. How helpful did you find receiving the support in that way? (Base: 50) 64% of respondents found the help in that way very helpful and 26% found in helpful 4% found it neither helpful or unhelpful 4% found in unhelpful and 2% found it very unhelpful
11. Looking at the statements below, which would you say is the closest to how you felt after you received the Crisis Loan or Grant from the Council? (Base: 50) 46% of respondents felt it solved their crisis and further 46% felt in went some way to helping their crisis/emergency 6% felt it provided little help and 2% felt it provided no help
12. Did you seek help from anywhere else during your crisis/emergency? (Base: 47) 28% sought help from elsewhere during their emergency/crisis
If yes, where did you seek help?
Examples of where respondents sought help are listed below: Friends and family Job Centre DWP Local MP Age UK
13. Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the Crisis Grants and Loans scheme? (Base: 47)
55% of respondents were very satisfied and a further 30% were satisfied 6% of respondents were neither satisfied or dissatisfied 6% of respondents were dissatisfied and 2% were very dissatisfied
14. Please use this space to share any comments or feedback you have regarding your application and the Crisis Loan and Grant scheme
In total 30 comments were made. Below provides an example of the different comments made:
³)RXQGWKH whole experience very good and very quick and the lady who dealt with it was very KHOSIXO´ ³&RXQFLOLQ6XWWRQLVYHU\KHOSIXOHVSHFLDOO\IRUPHZKHQ,ZDVYHU\GLIILFXOWVLWXDWLRQ,GLGQ WKDYH money for food because of change in income. Council was YHU\KHOSIXO7KDQN\RXYHU\PXFK´
15
Agenda Item 10 Page 88
Appendix F ³,DPYHU\JUDWHIXO,ZDVDEOHWRUHFHLYHWKHKHOSZLWKP\IRRGIRUWKHZHHNIURP6XWWRQ&RXQFLO7KH service was friendly. Fast and very efficient. Thank you dearly again, your help has been much appreciate during a diffiFXOWWLPH´
Demographics of respondents
1. What is your gender? 63% of respondents were female
2. Is your gender identity different to the sex you were assumed to be at birth? All of the respondents had the same gender identity as assumed to be at birth
3. Ethnicity: Are you... 80% of respondents were White or White British
4. Religion or belief: Are you or do you have... 71% of respondents were Christian and 17% were other
5. Sexual orientation: Are you... 76% of respondents were heterosexual
6. Disability: Are your day-to-day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months? 70% of respondents stated they had a disability
7. Caring responsibilities: A carer is someone who spends a significant proportion of their time providing unpaid support to a family member, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. Do you regularly provide unpaid support caring from someone? 18% of respondents had a caring responsibility
8. Marriage or civil partnership: Are you... 81% of respondents were neither married or in a civil partnership
9. Pregnancy or maternity: Have you been pregnant and/or maternity leave during the last 2 years? 98% of respondents had not been pregnant and/or maternity leave in the last 2 years.
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Appendix F
Appendix Item 5- Case studies Each of the case studies is anonymous to help protect identities.
Case Study 1 ± Bob Since an accident as a teenager and a more recent fall Bob has been unable to move much without assistance and high levels of pain. In recent months Bob has also moved from permanent to temporary accommodation with his full-time carer. Since April 2013 Bob has made one application for a washing machine, freezer and beside tables. The washing machine and freezer were needed as the current temporary accommodation does not have these XWLOLWLHVDQGWKHEHGVLGHWDEOHVDUHIRU%RE¶VQHZVSHFLDOLVWEHG Having received a crisis loan before from the DWP, Bob began his application by ringing the DWP. Prior to contacting the DWP Bob was not aware that there had been a change in the Crisis Loan procedure and that Sutton were now managing their own scheme. Once in contact with Sutton Council, Bob was able to complete his application over the phone. Bob found the Officer who dealt with his application very helpful and really appreciated how quickly it was agreed and processed. It was only after completing the application, where Bob was left to manage the sourcing of the goods himself that issues started to arise. The Bedside tables 6XWWRQ&RXQFLODGYLVHG%REWKDWKHFRXOGVHOHFWKLVEHGVLGHWDEOHVIURPµ7KH9LQH3URMHFW¶7KLVVXLWHG %RE¶VQHHGVDVKHKDGVSHFLILFUHTuirements but issues started to arise when he and his carer could QRWILQGµ7KH9LQH3URMHFW¶RIILFH. They eventually found the correct address, after a few hours of driving around, to then find they had to go to another site to select the furniture they needed ± which was closed by the time Bob and his carer got there. Due to the physical pain Bob was experiencing the carer had to go alone the next day to select the bedside WDEOHV7KH\OXFNLO\KDGWKHULJKWKHLJKWEHGVLGHWDEOHVZKLFK%RE¶VFDUHUZDVDEOH to bring home without any assistance. 7KHEHGVLGHWDEOHVDUHQRZLQ%RE¶VIODWDQGILWQLFHO\DURXQGKLVQHZEHG The Washing Machine Sutton Council agreed with Bob that due to the limited space and lack of utility connections in the temporary accommodation a small and simple washing machine would be needed. As this is a unique utility the Council agreed that Bob could research and identify one himself. Through internet research Bob was able to identify that the most suitable washing machine would be one that is normally found in a caravan, as they tend to be small and don¶t require a permanent connection to water and electricity.
Once the washing machine was delivered it was easy to set up and start running. This means that %RE¶V carer no longer has to leave him unattended while visiting a laundrette and can keep up to date with the daily changes of bedding. The freezer
17
Agenda Item 10 Page 90
Appendix F Sutton Council agreed to issue Bob a freezer WKURXJKµ7KH9LQH3URMHFW¶7KHfreezer would be useful as it would help to minimise the time Bob would be left alone while his carer was out food shopping. The application was processed quickly and once the freezer was delivered Bob and his carer were able to fully stock it all, with their first stock being almost £90. For the first few days the freezer worked well however on day 3 it broke and many of the contents were lost. $IWHUWKHIUHH]HUILUVWEURNH%REFRQWDFWHGµ7KH9LQH3URMHFW¶ KRZHYHUKHGLGQ¶WILQGWKDWWKH\ZHUHPXFK help and he ended up having to contact mechanics himself. Bob also notified the Crisis Loan and Grant Team who he found were helpful and able to give a little guidance on handling the issue. Due to mechanics failing to show or cancelling visits, Bob and his carer are still waiting for a working freezer. To summarise Overall, Bob and his carer found the process of applying for the application simple, easy and very helpful. However, the lack of follow up after the referral meant that Bob and his carer have had to take actions into their own hands by contacting the Council and sourcing a mechanic. Case Study 2 - Jane Jane is currently a living by herself, since her children moved away from home, in a socially rented property. Due to a previous accident Jane experiences high levels of pain when moving and as a result has limited mobility. :KHQ-DQH¶VRYHQEURNHVKHZDVOHIWXQVXUHDERXWZKDWVKHQHHGHGWRGRDQGZKRVKHFRXOGFRQWDFWIRU support. It was only when she spoke to her local MP that she made aware that Sutton Council would be able to provide her some financial support. When Jane contacted the Council to find out more about the Crisis Loan and Grants Scheme she was put straight through to the right team who were able to help her complete the application over the phone. Completing the application over the phone was of great use to Jane as sitting at a desk or writing for long periods of time can become very painful. The oven -DQHZDVRULJLQDOO\GLUHFWHGWRµ7KH9LQH3URMHFW¶ZKLFKDVZHOODVEHLQJGLIILFXOWWRILQGGLG not have an oven which would not require too much bending or lifting. For Jane this highlighted the need for her to check and test ovens before purchasing, which therefore ruled out Argos, another popular choice of supplier by the Council. Any worries about not receiving support from the Council were ceased once Jane was put through to the Crisis Loan and Grant Manager. The Manager was able to see the importance of testing the oven before and agreed to use a different supplier. Jane was quickly able to find a suitable oven from another supplier which the Security and Support Manager then ordered. As we saw in Case Study 1, issues with the oven started to happen after delivery ± including the door blowing open while in use. Initially Jane thought that this would be a simple issue but it actually resulted in hours of calling the delivery company, further faulty ovens and missed deliveries which resulted in missed hours at work. For Jane more support from the Council would have helped, especially as she felt the delivery company was treating her as a second rate customer (as she was receiving the oven through a crisis loan). To summarise
18
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Appendix F Once Jane had identified who she needed to speak to for help, she found the application process easy and helpful. Jane was incredibly appreciative of the help she had received however she felt more could have be done to help when there were issues arising with faulty goods and the delivery of the oven.
Case Study 3 ± Lucy When the application was made for the Crisis Loan and Grant, Lucy had just moved into a privately rented property. Having just moved into this property with a baby, Lucy was very much in need for some furniture and kitchen utilities, in particularly a bed, mattress, clothes storage and a washing machine. Having a washing machine was of real need due to having a young baby and the high cost.
/XF\ILUVWKHDUGDERXWWKH&ULVLV/RDQDQG*UDQWV6XSSRUWDYDLODEOHZKHQVKHYLVLWHGWKH&RXQFLO¶V Benefits open Day. Her visit to the open day had mainly been about trying to ascertain if she would be LPSDFWHGE\WKHZHOIDUHUHIRUPZKLFKVKHZDVQ¶WDQGVHFRQGO\WRILQGRXWZKHUHVKHFRXOGJHWDQ\ support. For Lucy the open day was really useful as she was able to find out more about benefit changes and how to apply for the crisis loan and grant scheme. Instead of applying online, Lucy called as she wanted ask some more questions and learn a little more about the scheme. Lucy found the Officer she spoke to really helpful and clear in explaining the support available, however she did feel that at points the officer was questioning her about how she was currently staying in a property if she had no bed or furniture. After applying and having the application approved for all items as a grant, Lucy was able to visit The Vine Project and select her wardrobe and chest of drawers. Lucy was very happy when she had all the items she needed delivered and fitted at no extra cost. During the application process Lucy had asked about getting kitchen utensils, such as cutlery and a kettle, but was informed that they are not included in the scheme. This was not much of an issue as she was able to borrow money from a family member and now makes small weekly repayments. She also borrowed money from another family member to pay for moving costs for other furniture already owned, however she did not include this in her application. To summarise Overall Lucy is very happy with the scheme and the support she received. The bed and the washing machine have made a huge difference to Lucy¶VZD\RIOLIH and without the scheme it would not have been possible to get such good products. Since receiving the goods Lucy had recommended the scheme to a friend who has also just moved into a new property and does not have the funds needed to purchase some much needed utilities.
19
Agenda Item 10 Page 92 Appendix F - Part 2
Open-ended comments from Crisis Loan and Grants Scheme Questionnaire
The only disappointment I had was with the Vine Project Lynn was very polite and helpful during the whole process. She went far above and beyond the call of duty. Emails and misses telephone calls were returned almost immediately I was very grateful for the loan. It all happen so quick and got me items that were most need and paying back just a small a little every month helps as it still leave me enough to live. Thank you so much. Thank you for the Crisis Loan it did help +DGDJUDQWIRU EXWFDQ¶W have a crisis loan for 6 months. I needed some food, had WRJRWRIRRGEDQNGXHWRODFNRIPRQH\6WLOOFDQ¶WJHWRQHZKLFKLVFUD]\ I found it most helpful. To date I have not received a payment card and have only giro credit form for this month of August I inquired for cash for clothing for my wife at Civic Office. We were given £100.
Mr Cross dealt with my application and he was very prompt and courteous and had it sorted very quickly. If Mr Cross is representative of all that work there you have an excellent team! First application very helpful eased crisis. Manager and first contact that helped was very helpful and clear about process. Took lots of stress and worry away from me. Found the whole experience very good and very quick and the lady who dealt with it was very helpful I felt that the Council staff were very informative, helpful and sympathetic. Even thought the Crisis loan was only a short term fix it helped me out enormously. Thank you Am seeking advice from CAB for more help, and to see what other help we can apply for. The help and advice to me during the process was first rate, easy to understand and co- operative from all involved in processing my crisis loan application. Thank you crisis loan team at Sutton Council. Very well mannered, excellent service provided when I was in emergency. Many thanks Was very confused in the beginning as I went to Sutton Partnership in Sutton and was told the Council do not do Crisis Loans and the job centre still do them. So went to the Job Centre to be told the Council do them. This made me very confused Council in Sutton is very helpful, especially for me when I was very difficult situation. I didn't have money for food because of change in income. Council was very helpful. Thank you very much. Maybe clothing or footwear vouchers could help people Freezer broken within 3 days, waiting to be fixed, the Council service has been amazing I found Mr Cross to be very helpful and was satisfied with the way he handled my claim Page 93 Agenda Item 10 Appendix F - Part 2
An employee at the Council completed the application for them
I found out on the day I needed it and went to the Council who were very helpful and took a lot of stress and pressure off They gave me a voucher, when I went to get my items there was only enough to buy a bed mattress - new fridge but a freezer I am still waiting for a freezer because I had enough for a second level one. That was 3 months ago still have no freezer. I found the scheme very helpful although without my friend helping me with travel my young child and I would not of been able to collect vouchers and go shopping A very good service. Top marks Crisis is narrowly defined. It should include situations in which applicants have cumulatively come to a destitute state due to convergence of a number of problems on them. Very helpful Thank you for the help and not making me feel bad I am very grateful I was able to receive the help with my food for the week from Sutton Council The service was friendly. Fast and very efficient. Thank you dearly again, your help has been much appreciated during a difficult time Agenda Item 10 Page 94 Appendix G
London Borough of Sutton - Crisis Loan and Grant provision
Eligibility Criteria
The person
An applicant must have recourse to public funds and must receive either:
Income support ,QFRPHEDVHG-REVHHNHU¶V$OORZDQFH Employment and support Allowance (income-related) Pension Credit Universal Credit Housing Benefit Council Tax Reduction (formerly Council Tax Benefit)
If an applicant is due to leave an institution or care home within 6 weeks and are likely to get one of the above benefits they would be eligible providing they meet the remaining conditions.
Any prisoner that meets the residence criteria set out in Annex 18 to the Homeless Code of Guidance for Local Authorities immediately before entering custody; that is; that (s)he was resident in the local authority in question for 6 month of the 12 months, or 3 of the 5 years, before going into prison, will be eligible to apply to the crisis loan and grant scheme provided by that local authority.
In addition the person must satisfy all of the following conditions:
You must be aged 16 or over (Individuals under the age of 18 must be responsible for the household they live in i.e. registered for rent or can demonstrate a new liability for rent or Council Tax) You must be ordinarily resident in Sutton (and have lived here for six weeks prior to applying) or have been placed in housing outside the borough by the London Borough of Sutton within the past 6 months Your must use your savings to help you out of the situation or crisis before your application will be considered for a grant or loan. Your social network will also be considered if they are able to support you out of the situation or crisis e.g. family and friends You must not be a person subject to immigration control You must not have received a DWP Social Fund or Grant award in the borough within the past 6 months You must not have received a DWP Social Fund or Grant award for the same reason in the past 12 months You must be without sufficient resources which would cause serious of hardship to your RZQRU\RXUIDPLO\ZKLFKFRXOGDIIHFW\RXUKRXVHKROG¶VKHDOWKRUVDIHW\
Applications from victims of Domestic Violence that are not Sutton residents and Rough Sleepers will be accepted if they are made through a recognised domestic violence or rough sleepers scheme e.g. Street Pastors, Thames Reach, Victim Support.
Page 95 Agenda Item 10 Appendix G
The Situation
There are seven categories of situation for which a community care grant/crisis loan will be paid, these are: 1. Help people establish in the community following a stay in institution or care home in which they receive care. E.g.
a. hospital or other medical establishment b. care home c. hostel d. staff intensive sheltered housing e. local authority care f. prison or detention centre.
Not only must you be leaving one of these places, you must be establishing yourself in the community. One of the factors taken into account when deciding this is the length of time you were in the accommodation in which you received care. But the most important factor is the level of individual care and supervision you had while you were living there.
2. Help people remain in the community rather than enter an institution or care home in which they will receive care One of the factors we will consider is how immediate is the likelihood of going into such accommodation, and whether the type of item or service you need would prevent this happening. E.g.: help with expenses for improving your home to maintain living conditions help to move to a more suitable place to live or to be nearer someone who will give you care and support.
3. Help people set up home in the community, as part of a planned resettlement programme, following an unsettled way of life. For example, you may have stayed in a night shelter before you were on a resettlement programme. You are more likely to be eligible if you have had an unsettled way of life for a long time.
4. Help people to care for a prisoner or young offender on release on temporary licence Support would be towards living expenses until Department for Work and Pensions income benefits were awarded
5. Help people with expenses to make certain journeys such as attending an interview for paid employment.
6. Ease exceptional pressure on you, yourself or your family e.g. sudden bereavement or serious accident
7. Emergency or Disaster Expenses, to avoid serious risk to the health or safety of you or your family. Some examples of expenses, in terms of specific items and services, are:
Agenda Item 10 Page 96 Appendix G
living expenses - food/ heating/ clothing/ toiletries Furnishings ± mattresses/ curtains/ towels travel expenses when stranded away from home repaying emergency credit on a pre-payment fuel meter Lost giro ± with the condition that the individual will open a bank account to prevent further loss.
Restrictions
The Council has limited funding therefore, to support families and individuals in most need, it is necessary to place restrictions on the amount of loan or award granted.
Depending on the nature of the application restrictions will be placed on the duration of the VXSSRUWDQGFRQGLWLRQVZLOOQHHGWREHPHWWRYDOLGDWHWKHLQGLYLGXDO¶VFRPPLWPHQWWRFKDQJH their circumstances longer term.
The maximum grant is set at £1,000 (previously £2,000), this is based on the understanding that this would furnish a 3 bed house with recycled or 2nd hand goods. Applications above £350 will be treated as a loan, with the first £350 being a grant. Time of Disaster/ Emergency ± Support will be calculated and provided on the basic needs required to cover short term crisis situation only. Lost Giro ± If eligible support will be calculated to cover basic needs until the next Giro will be received with a condition to open a basic bank account or Credit Union account and have further Giros paid directly to that account. Household Expenses ± Condition to put a certain amount aside each week to save, opening a Credit Union account to save. Repeat applications ± the number of awards are limited to 2 a year but not allowed two for the same reason
What needs are not covered by the fund?
an educational or training need including clothing, meals and travel expenses in connection with court (legal proceedings) such as legal fees, court fees, fines, costs, damages, subsistence or travelling expenses removal or storage charges if you are being rehoused following a compulsory purchase order, a redevelopment or closing order, a compulsory exchange of tenancies, or under homelessness legislation domestic assistance and respite care any repair to council property and any repair to property of housing associations (you VKRXOGFRQWDFW\RXUWKH&RXQFLO¶V+RXVLQJ$GYLFH7HDPIRUDGYLFH a medical, surgical, optical, aural or dental item or service (needs under all of these headings can be provided free of charge by the National Health Service) debts to government departments investments costs of purchasing, renting or installing a telephone and of any call charges, holidays Non essential electrical goods e.g. television any expense which the local authority has a statutory duty to meet costs of fuel consumption and any associated standing charges (except in an emergency/ disaster). housing costs, other than minor repairs and improvements
Page 97 Agenda Item 10 Appendix G
council tax, council water charges, arrears of community charge, collective community charge contributions or community water charges daily living expenses, such as food and groceries, except in emergency/ disaster situations.
What kind of support will we provide?
We will decide on the type of support needed and how this support is delivered based on the information you provide us with.
Some of the ways in which we will choose to offer support will include:
Vouchers for a local supermarket Referral to a local second hand furniture provider for paid-for furnishings or white goods Providing a travel warrant or travel tickets Charging of utility account keys or payment on account made to utility providers Payment cards or vouchers for certain shops Cash , in exceptional circumstances
How to apply for a Grant / Loan
$SSOLFDWLRQVFDQEHYLDWKH&RXQFLO¶VZHEVLWHRUE\DVVLVWHGWHOHSKRQHDSSOLFDWLRQ
The application will consider whether an individual has any other possible sources of help to cover the costs of the crisis for instance:
any savings any earnings/other income cash in hand or other readily available funds in bank or building society accounts any sources of credit such as cash cards, store cards, credit cards, cheque cards, cheque accounts, overdraft facilities, loan arrangements, Credit Union accounts
This criteria is for guidance, please note all decisions will be made on the individual merits of each case.
Reconsideration Process
If applicants do not agree with the outcome of their applications they can make a request for reconsideration. On receipt, the application will be reviewed by a different officer within the revenue and benefits team. If the applicant wishes to escalate this further they will be advised to follow the council complaints process with their complaint moving straight to stage 2. If they remain dissatisfied after internal complaint they can raise the matter with the Local Government Ombudsman.
Page 98
This page is intentionally left blank Page 99 Agenda Item 11
Economy Watch
2012/13, Quarter 2: July - September 2013
London Borough of Sutton
Prepared by Research and Intelligence
Signed: ______Strategic Director
Date: 14 November 2013 Agenda Item 11 Page 100
Contents 1. Introduction & Executive Summary ...... 3 Introduction ...... 3 Executive Summary ...... 3 2. Indicator Summary Tables ...... 5 3. Full Indicator Tables ...... 7 1. Businesses ...... 7 2. Benefits & Employment ...... 8 3. Council Income ...... 8 4. Housing ...... 8 5. Planning ...... 8 6. Schools...... 8 ϳ͘^ƵƚƚŽŶŝƚŝnjĞŶ͛ƐĚǀŝĐĞƵƌĞĂƵdž;Ϳ ...... 8
Page 101 Agenda Item 11
1. Introduction & Executive Summary Introduction
This paper focuses on a number of data sources to consider the effect of the recession on the residents of the London Borough of Sutton and the council itself. Due to time lags traditional national data sources of information on residents, businesses and employment are not relevant for capturing all the effects of the recession. Therefore the data sources presented here are drawn from within the council or local partners and are part of a wider data monitoring of the effects of the recession.
This set of indicators aims to provide a means of measuring some of the effects of the economic downturn across the council, in terms of the impact on residents, local business and the council itself. The data will be reported on a quarterly basis and feed into the Opportunity Sutton growth programme to assess the impact on jobs and growth throughout the Borough.
Executive Summary
1. Businesses
Percentage of empty properties (borough wide) saw an increase in Q2 to 10.2% (425 properties) from 9.8% (410 properties) in the same quarter of the previous year. Fewer businesses went into administration in Q2 (a total of 2 businesses) compared to the 3 businesses that went into administration in Q2 2012/13. 143 businesses defaulted on NNDR payment in Q2, an increase of approximately 47.4% than in the same quarter in the previous year. In relation to Q1 2013/2014 there was a decrease of 63%. In Q2 there were 332 new business start ups, 12.4% fewer than in the same quarter in 2012 but an increase on the previous Q1 data. Growth and the number of start-ups in England have fallen in the first 9 months of the year.
2. Benefits & Employment
81% of the working age population in Sutton were economically active during the year up to and including June 2013, higher than London and GB averages of 76.4% and 77.3% respectively. This represents a decrease of 0.8% percentage points compared to the year up to and including March 2013. On average, 2821 residents claimed JSA in Q2, a decrease of 16% since Q2 2012. The average numbers collecting JSA for 12 months or more were marginally lower in Q2 2013 (880) than in Q1 (883). The Q2 figure was 4.5% higher than the equivalent figure from the previous year (842), suggesting that long-term unemployment is rising. In Q2 2013, the number of 16-24 year olds collecting JSA was significantly lower than the same quarter the previous year. In Q2 2013 the average was 560 compared to the 805 in the same quarter the previous year. This is a drop of over 30% over the year. In Q2 2013 this represented 2.9% of the 16-24 year old age group, which compares with 4.1% in Q2 2012. Agenda Item 11 Page 102
3. Council Income
1642 people defaulted on Council tax payments in Q2 compared to 818 in Q2 2012.
4. Housing
House prices for all types of property have continued to increase in Sutton in comparison to the previous year.
5. Planning
There has been a 28.6% increase in the number of planning applications that have been received by the council when comparing Q2 2012/13 with Q2 2013/14. The number of minor planning applications in Q2 2013/14 is not as high as Q1 2013/14, it is 20% higher than Q2 in the previous year.
6. Schools
The proportion of full-time primary school children who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) has continued to decrease. Compared to May 2012 there has been a 14.8% reduction on the number of children receiving FSM. However, in secondary schools there has been an 11.4% increase in those claiming FSM.
Children attending special schools are most likely to be eligible for FSM with 52.1% of children in a special school receiving FSM in May 2013.
7. Citizens Advice Bureau
All types of enquiry have increased, with 10.1% more enquiries made in Q2 2013/14 compared to Q2 the previous year Page 103 Agenda Item 11
2. Indicator Summary Tables
Note: Ĺ6LWXDWLRQLPSURYLQJĻ6LWXDWLRQZRUVHQLQJ ļ6LWXDWLRQXQFKDQJHG
Difference Performance from Period Data against last 1. Businesses previous period year 1a. Empty properties Q2 2013/14 425 3.7% Ļ 1b. Businesses defaulting on NNDR payments Q2 2013/14 143 47% Ļ 1c. Businesses going into administration Q2 2013/14 2 -33.3% Ĺ 1d. Town centre footfall August 2013 -4% - - 1e. Business Start ups Q2 2013/14 322 -12.4% Ļ
Difference Performance 2. Benefits and from Period Data against last previous period Employment year July 2012 2a. Economic activity rate: aged 16-64 ± 81.0% 2.8% June 2013 Ĺ 2b. Job Seekers Allowance Q2 2013/14 2,821 -16.4% Ĺ 2c. JSA claimants: 12+ months Q2 2013/14 880 4.5% Ļ 2d. JSA claimants: aged 16-24 Q2 2013/14 560 -30.4% Ĺ 2e. JSA claimants: aged 25-49 Q2 2013/14 1695 -13.0% Ĺ 2f. JSA claimants: aged 50-64 Q2 2013/14 568 -8.8% Ĺ 2g. Employment & support allowance & Feb 2013 5,340 -2.0% incapacity benefit Ĺ 2h. Lone parents benefit Feb 2013 1,500 -19% Ĺ 2i. Unfilled vacancies - - - - 2j. Active claimants of Housing benefit Q2 2013/14 13,267 0.1% Ļ New claims Q2 2013/14 874 -54.9% Ĺ 2k.Active claimants of Council Tax reduction Q2 2013/14 13,719 -0.05% Ĺ New claims Q2 2013/14 905 -3.4% Ĺ
Difference Performance from Period Data against last 3. Council Income previous period year 3a. Number defaulting on council tax payments Q2 2013/14 1,642 100.7% Ļ 3b. Council Income Q2 2013/14 - - -
Difference Performance from Period Data against last 4. Housing previous period year 4a. Average price of house sales (Detached) Q2 2013/14 550,147 5% Ĺ 4a. Average price of house sales (Semi) Q2 2013/14 319,565 5% Ĺ 4a. Average price of house sales (Terraced) Q2 2013/14 248,337 5% Ĺ 4a. Average price of house sales (Flat) Q2 2013/14 186,061 5% Ĺ 4b. LHA rates (see main body of report) - - - -
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Difference Performance from Period Data against last 5. Planning previous period year 6a. Major planning applications Q2 2013/14 9 28.6% Ĺ 6b. Minor planning applications Q2 2013/14 84 20.0% Ĺ
Difference Performance from Period Data against last 6. Schools previous period year 7a. Free school meals: primary pupils May 2013 14.4% -14.8% Ĺ 7b. Free school meals: secondary pupils May 2013 8.8% 11.4% Ļ 7c. Free school meals: special school pupils May 2013 52.1% 5.7% Ļ
Difference Performance 7 from &LWL]HQ¶V$GYLFH Period Data against last previous period Bureau year 8a. Total number of enquiries Q1 2013/14 3,391 10.1% Ļ 8b. Debt advice enquiries Q1 2013/14 16.1% N/A N/A 8c. Employment enquiries Q1 2013/14 11.0% N/A N/A 8d. Family/relationship enquiries Q1 2013/14 9.3% N/A N/A N/A 8e. Housing enquiries Q1 2013/14 16.8% N/A N/A
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3. Full Indicator Tables
1. Businesses
1a. Number of Empty Properties
The number of empty properties can indicate both the resilience of businesses to survive in economic decline as well as confidence by businesses to fill properties. Empty properties can also have a negative effect on the high street and customer/shopper experience.
In Q2 2013/14, the number of empty properties has increased by 3.7% compared to the equivalent quarter in 2012/13. In Q2 an average of 10.2% of all Sutton properties were either empty or exempt from rates.
2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 Q1 Q2 Jul Aug Sep previous previous average average average quarter year No. empty/ exempt 410 405 413 423 440 425 4.9% 3.7% properties % of empty/ exempt 9.8% 9.8% 9.9% 10.1% 10.6% 10.2% N/A N/A properties Source: LB Sutton: Revenues and benefits Note: Empty properties are exempt for the first three months and then pay empty property rate. If the property has a low rateable value then it may be exempt after the first three months.
1b. Number of businesses defaulting on National Non- Domestic Rates (NNDR) payments
This is an early indicator of businesses which may go into administration.
NNDR defaults are based on the number of businesses that have received a summons for late payment. The delivery of a summons is dependent on the scheduling/timetabling of court dates as there must be a certain number of weeks between delivery and the date of the summons. The number of summons issued in a month can therefore be influenced by the number of bank holidays or weeks within a month. May/June have the first summons run of the year, which is normally the highest run of the year. The number of summonV¶LVVXHGLQ December will normally be lower over the Christmas period, often creating a spike in January.
The total number of businesses defaulting on NNDR payments in Q2 2013/14 is 47.4% higher than in the same quarter of the previous year. As shown on the chart, the number of businesses defaulting on NNDR has nearly doubled from an average of 44.5 businesses during the period Oct 2011 - Sep 2012, to an average of 77.3 over the period Oct 2012 ± Sep 2013.
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2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 total Q1 total Jul Aug Sep Q2 total previous previous quarter year No. defaulting 97 389 58 52 33 143 -63.2% 47.4% on NNDR Source: LB Sutton: Revenues and benefits Note: March normally has a count of zero for NNDR payments
Number of NNDR Defaults 90 80 70 60 Number of 50 NNDR Defaults 40 30 20 10 0
Source: LB Sutton: Revenues and benefits
1c. Number of businesses going into administration
This indicator monitors how many businesses are susceptible to economic decline. Unlike empty properties, it includes businesses which may not be run from an office/shop.
A total of 2 businesses entered administration in Q2 2013/14, a 33% reduction on the same quarter in the previous year when 3 businesses went into administration.
2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 total Q1 total Jul Aug Sep Q2 total previous previous quarter year Businesses going into 3 3 1 1 0 2 -33.3% -33.3% administration Source: LB Sutton: Revenues and benefits
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1d. Town Centre footfall
The measure shows how many people are visiting the town centre, and can be used to review the success of certain town centre initiatives.
The data available on town centre footfall is based on the percentage change in footfall when compared to the same month in the previous year. Since September 2012 Sutton has experienced a much greater reduction in town centre footfall when compared to both Greater London and UK Towns and Cities, however since June, Sutton has closer aligned itself to these geographies.
2012/3 2013/14 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sutton -20.7% -8.0% -9.2% -23.0% -13.1% -8.6% -7.1% 1.0% -4.2% Greater 2.1% -3.7% 2.9% -12.0% 1.8% -5.7% -6.4% 2.9% -3.8% London UK Towns -0.5% -3.3% 2.7% -7.0% 3.4% -1.0% 1.4% 2.3% -0.6% & Cities
Annual % changes in footfall
10%
5%
0% Sutton -5% Greater London
-10% UK Towns & Cities -15%
-20%
-25%
Source: Springboard Most recent data is August 2013
1e. Business Start Ups
This gives a good indication of the levels of entrepreneurialism within the borough and SMEs; however, it is not a perfect indicator for business start ups within Sutton, since not all businesses will have a business account, and a business registered in Sutton will not necessarily practice in Sutton.
Q2 2013/14 saw a total of 332 new business start-ups across the whole of Sutton. Cheam saw the greatest number, followed by Stonecot and Sutton Central. Compared to Q2 2012/13
9
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Cheam, Sutton South, Carshalton Central, Stonecot Hill, Sutton North and St Helier saw a growth in the number of start-ups. By comparison, Sutton Central experienced the greatest decrease, with only 24 new start-ups compared with 40 in the previous year.
Overall, Sutton experienced a 12.4% decrease in the number of business start-ups in Q2 compared to Q2 2012/13. However it should be noted quarter on quarter Sutton has increased the number of start ups which bucks the trend in comparison to London and England who both saw approximately 7% less businesses starting up.
2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 total Q1 total Jul Aug Sep Q2 total previous previous quarter year Sutton 379 316 116 132 84 332 5.1% -12.4% London N/A 27,376 9547 7,913 8,058 25,518 -6.8% N/A England N/A 112,381 37956 32,635 33,195 103,786 -7.6% N/A Source: Bank Search
Number of start-ups by ward 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 Q2 2012/13 10 Q2 2013/14 5 0
Source: Bank Search
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2. Benefits & Employment
2a. Economic Activity Rate
This provides a picture of how the working age population of Sutton are fairing with reduced employment opportunities.
Economic activity rate measures the proportion of people of working age who are in employment; this includes both people who were not working but were looking for work and were available to start work within 2 weeks and full-time students who are economically active.
Sutton continues to have a higher economic activity rate than both London and GB, with a rate of 81.0% of the working age population being economically active. Since the same period last year this rate has increased by 2.8%, a higher growth rate than both London and Great Britain. However there has been a decline since the April 2012 ± March 2013 period, which mirrors the decline in GB.
July 2011 Oct 2011 Jan 2012 April 2012 July 2012 Period on to to to to to Period June 2012 Sept 2012 Dec 2012 Mar 2013 June 2013 Difference Sutton 78.8% 80.1% 80.7% 81.8% 81.0% 2.8% London 75.0% 75.5% 75.8% 76.4% 77.3% 3.1% Great Britain 76.6% 76.7% 76.9% 77.1% 76.4% -0.3% Source: DWP: Nomisweb Note: Percentages are of the working age population
Economic Activity Rate (%) 84
82
80
78
Sutton 76 London 74 GB
72
70
Source: NOMIS
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Agenda Item 11 Page 110
2b. Numbers claiming Job Seekers Allowance
Of the working age population who are not economically active there are those who choose not to work, for example stay at home parents, and those who are looking for employment. Measuring JSA claimants provides an assessment of WKRVH ZKR µZDQW¶ WR EH HFRQRPLFDOO\ active, and presents a picture of how the people of Sutton are fairing with reduced employment opportunities. This is important in terms of direct cost to the council as well as actual numbers of residents who are seeking employment.
4VDZDQDYHUDJHRILQGLYLGXDOVFODLPLQJ-6$DFFRXQWLQJIRURI6XWWRQ¶V working age population. This is a 16.4% decrease on the average number of claimants in Q2 2012/13. The proportion of JSA claimants has decreased at a greater rate in Sutton than in either London or GB.
2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 Q1 Q2 Jul Aug Sep previous previous average average average quarter year JSA Sutton 3,376 3,178 2,870 2,810 2,785 2,821 -11.2% -16.4% claimants % Sutton 2.7% 2.5% 2.3% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% N/A N/A claiming London 3.9% 3.7% 3.5% 3.5% 3.4% 3.5% N/A N/A JSA GB 3.8% 3.6% 3.4% 3.3% 3.2% 3.3% N/A N/A Source: DWP: Nomisweb Note: Percentages are of the working age population
% of population claiming JSA 4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5 Sutton 2.0 GB 1.5 London 1.0
0.5
0.0
Source: NOMIS
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Page 111 Agenda Item 11
2c. Job Seeker Allowance (JSA) claimants: 12+ months
Since long term unemployment is considered to be most damaging socially, this is an important indicator, highlighting the proportion of the population who need more support to re- enter employment.
There has been a steady increase in the number of claimants who have been on JSA for 12 months or more. In Q2 2013/14 there were an average of 880 JSA claimants who had been claiming for more than a year, a 4.5% increase on the same quarter in the previous year. This suggests that more residents claiming JSA are finding it difficult to re-enter paid employment.
2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 Q1 Q2 Jul Aug Sep previous previous average average average quarter year JSA Claimants 842 883 890 890 860 880 -0.3% 4.5% % working age 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% N/A N/A population Source: DWP: Nomisweb
Claimants for 12+ months
1000 900 800 700 600 Claimants 500 for 12+ 400 months 300 200 100 0
Source: NOMIS
2d. Numbers claiming JSA aged 16-24
Young people have been most impacted by the economic down turn because they often have less professional experience. It is important however for this group to be able to access employment as they are the next generation of professionals. Consequently, there has been a great deal of media attention focused on the effects of the recession on young adults.
The number of 16-24 year olds claiming JSA is on a downward trend in Sutton, having reduced by 30.4% on the same quarter last year. This was one of the highest decreases seen in London. 13
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2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 Q1 Q2 Jul Aug Sep previous previous average average average quarter year Claimants 805 608 545 560 575 560 -7.9% -30.4% aged 16-24 % of all 16- 4.1% 3.1% 2.8% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% N/A -30.1% 24 year olds Source: DWP: Nomisweb
Number of JSA claimants aged 16-24 and claimants for 12+ months
1000 140
900 120 800
700 100
600 Total 80 claimants 500 60 Claimants 400 for 12+ Total claimantsTotal months 300 40 Claimants for 12+ Claimants12+ months for 200 20 100
0 0
Source: NOMIS
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2e. Numbers claiming JSA aged 25-49
The number of 25-49 year old Sutton residents claiming JSA has dropped over the year by 13%.
2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 Q1 Q2 Jul Aug Sep previous previous average average average quarter year Claimants 1948 1938 1740 1680 1665 1695 -12.5% -13.0% aged 25-49 % of all 25- 2.6% 2.6% 2.4% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% -0.3% -0.3% 49 year olds Source: DWP: Nomisweb
2f. Numbers claiming JSA aged 50-64
Trends have revealed that this group is increasingly becoming unemployed. Socially and economically it is important for this group to be able to access paid employment. Loss of employment can lead to major financial stresses, loss of savings, increased risk of mortgage arrears, and reduction in pension payments, all of which represent a financial burden to the authority.
In Q2 2013/14 the number of 50-64 year olds claiming JSA was reduced by 10% when compared to Q1 2013/14.
The number of 50-64 year old Sutton residents claiming JSA has remained high since July 2011 ± June 2012 with only a slight reduction over the years. In Q2 2013/14 the number of 50- 64 year olds claiming JSA was reduced by 8.8% when compared to Q2 last year.
The number of 50-64 year olds claiming JSA for 12 months or more has increased significantly from an average of 143 in the period of July 2011 ± June 2012 to 245 in the period of October 2012 ± September 2013.
2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 Q1 Q2 Jul Aug Sep previous previous average average average quarter year Claimants 623 632 585 570 550 568 -10% -8.8% aged 50-64 % of all 50- 1.9% 1.9% 1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% -0.2% -0.2% 64 year olds Source: DWP: Nomisweb
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Agenda Item 11 Page 114
Number of JSA claimants aged 50-64 and claimants for 12+ months
700 300
600 250
500 200 Total claimants 400 150 300 Claimants for 12+ 100 months
Number ofNumber claimants 200 Claimants for 12+ Claimantsmonths12+ for 50 100
0 0
Source: DWP: Nomisweb
2g. Numbers claiming Employment & Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit
This provides an insight into one of the more vulnerable resident groups of Sutton.
Incapacity Benefit (IB) has been replaced with Employment Support Allowance (ESA). ESA is only for new claims; those receiving IB will continue to receive it. Combined figures for those claiming ESA and IB are relatively stable over the quarter, although there has been a decrease of 2.0% on the number of residents claiming in February 2013 compared to February 2012.This decrease is higher than the average for London as a whole of 1.8%, but lower than Great Britain which saw a decrease of 3.1%.
It is difficult to assess from the figures what the potential impact of the changes to IB will be.
Feb May Aug Nov Feb Change from
2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 previous year Claimants Sutton 5,450 5,380 5,390 5,350 5,340 -2% % of Sutton 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.2% -0.1% working London 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.5% -0.1% age population Great Britain 6.4% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.2% -0.2% Source: DWP: Nomisweb February is the latest data available
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Page 115 Agenda Item 11
2h. Numbers claiming lone parents benefit
Parental unemployment has SURYHQOLQNVWRDFKLOG¶VVXEVHTXHQWXQHPSOR\PHQW:LWKOLQNVWR life chances it is of economic importance to ensure this group is able to access the support required to enter paid employment.
In February 2013, 360 fewer parents were claiming lone parent benefits in Sutton when compared to February 2012, a 19.4% reduction. In percentage terms this is a greater reduction than that for both London and Great Britain.
Feb May Aug Nov Feb Change from
2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 previous year Claimants Sutton 1,860 1,790 1,670 1,520 1,500 -19% % of Sutton 1.5% 1.4% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% -0.3% working London 1.8% 1.8% 1.7% 1.5% 1.5% -0.3% age population Great Britain 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% -0.2% Source: DWP: Nomisweb February is the latest data available
2i. Number of unfilled vacancies - Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus (JCP) is currently looking into how to obtain unfilled vacancy data due to the introduction of the new job search system Universal Jobmatch. This indicator will be re- introduced when data is made available.
2j. Number of active claimants and new claims of Housing Benefit (HB) 2k. Council Tax Reduction and new claims
Housing benefit is of importance to the Sutton economy because reveals the number of residents who are economically stable/resilient to changes.
Council Tax Reduction reveals the numbers of residents who require assistance paying their council tax. It may be of significance to monitor both those who are within protected groups WKRVHZLWKFKLOGUHQDQGSHQVLRQHUVIRUH[DPSOH DQGWKRVHZKLFKDUHQRWµSURWHFWHG¶LHWKRse of working age.
Council Tax Benefit (CTB) was replaced by Council Tax Reduction (CTR) in April 2013. There is no longer a centralised Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit, but locally set rate reductions. Certain groups are protected, for example pensioners, but others will be expected to pay a greater proportion of their council tax.
Due to the manner in which the data is extracted it is not possible to report on combined HB and CTR due to double counting, therefore HB and CTR will be monitored as new, separate indicators.
The number of active CTR claimants reduced significantly in May, one month after its introduction. This reduction has since stabilised but is still showing a downward trend. The number of residents receiving HB has however, remained relative stable.
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Agenda Item 11 Page 116
Both CTR and HB have seen a reduction in the number of new claims since July. There has also been a reduction in active claimants and new claims for both HB and CTR in comparison to Q1.
2013/14 Change Q1 Q2 from HB average/ Jul Aug Sep average/ previous total total quarter Active 13,254 13,301 13,278 13,221 13,267 0.1% Claimants New 1,938 325 271 278 874 -54.9% Claims Source: LB Sutton: Revenues and Benefits Unable to extract HB from the old indicator, therefore historical comparison is not possible
2013/14 Change Q1 Q2 from CTR average/ Jul Aug Sep average/ previous total total quarter Active 13,726 13,789 13,716 13,654 13,719 -0.05% Claimants New 937 353 280 273 905 -3.4% Claims Source: LB Sutton: Revenues and Benefits Introduced in April 2013
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reflief claimants
15000 400
350 14500 300 HB Active 14000 250 CTR Active 13500 200 HB New
150 13000 CTR New Number of new ofNumber new claimants
Number of active ofNumber active claimants 100 12500 50
12000 0
Source: LB Sutton. Revenues and Benefits
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3. Council Income
3a. Number defaulting on Council Tax payments
The numbers of people unable to pay their council tax will have a direct impact on the income of the authority. More generally though, this measure reflects the economic resilience of Sutton residents. If residents are defaulting on council tax this may well reflect an increasing level of debt.
Council tax defaults are based on the number of households that have received a summons for late payment. The delivery of a summons is dependent on the scheduling/timetabling of court dates as there must be a certain number of weeks between delivery and the date of the summons. The number of summons issued in a month will therefore be influenced by the number of working days within a month, and the number of bank holidays. May/June have the first summons run of the year, usually with the largest number of summons. The number issued in December will normally be lower over the Christmas period, often creating a spike in January.
The number defaulting in Q1 2013/14 was particularly high due to the introduction of Council Tax Reduction, which resulted in a greater number of households of working age being asked to pay their council tax. Although the Q2 figures were much lower the Q1, it was still over double the equivalent figure for the same quarter in the previous year.
Due to changes in the underlying drivers, and the seasonal profile of the data, it is difficult to draw any clear conclusions from the Q2 data.
Change from 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 previous year Q1 2,369 1,979 3,301 66.8%
Q2 1,349 818 1,642 100.7%
Q3 785 1,905 - -
Q4 1,682 119 - - Source: LB Sutton: Revenues and benefits Note: Defaulting is defined as issuing a liability order or summons to a household
3b. Income derived from LB Sutton
Rather than an annual review of income an analysis of actual income per quarter is set out below.
19
Agenda Item 11 Page 118
Q1 Q2 To Date 2012/13 2013/14 2013/14 2013/14 Parking £4,834,522 £1,336,408 £1,191,717 £2,528,126 Planning £760,636 £400,385 £183,317 £583,703 Applications Land Charges £170,278 £53,043 £51,741 £104,784
Theatres £244,626 £66,754 £48,324 £115,079
Sports Centres TBC TBC TBC TBC Other sports TBC TBC TBC TBC income Libraries £239,773 £40,627 £38,580 £79,207 Registration £375,019 £99,478 £105,163 £204,642 Service Parks and Open £545,610 £11,277 £124,886 £136,164 Spaces Allotments £65,699 £1,561 £1,265 £2,826 Commercial £181,058 £40,766 £1,028 £39,738 Properties Industrial £1,257,498 £397,328 £328,067 £725,395 Estates Sutton Town £774,941 £274,113 £214,923 £489,037 Centre Source: LB Sutton: Environment & Leisure
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Page 119 Agenda Item 11
4. Housing
4a. Average price of house sales
This provides a much more accurate figure of house prices within Sutton ± normalised through type.
House prices for all types of property have continued to increase in Sutton in comparison to the previous year.
2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q2 Q1 Q2 Jul Aug Sep previous previous average average average quarter year Detached 524,905 567,413 545,348 550,521 556,147 550,672 -3% 5%
Semi 304,612 316,665 316,476 319,477 322,742 319,565 0.9% 5%
Terraced 236,717 246,083 245,936 248,269 250,806 248,337 0.9% 5%
Flat 177,355 184,372 184,262 186,010 187,911 186,061 0.9% 5%
Source: Land registry Most recent data: August 2013
Average sale price by type £600,000
£500,000 Detached average £400,000 Semi average £300,000 Terraced £200,000 average
Flat average £100,000
£0
Source: Land registry
21
Agenda Item 11 Page 120
4b. Local Housing Allowance (LHA) Rates
When presented alongside a regional comparison of market value rental, this measure can reflect how those receiving housing allowance may be disadvantaged by where they are able to live.
The majority of Sutton is located within the Outer South London region for LHA rates; only a portion of Worcester Park is situated within the Outer South West London region.
Sutton has seen a standard increase of 2.2% in most LHA rates; the exceptions are shared accommodation, which has not changed, and 3 bed properties, which has only increased by 1.7%.
LHA rates in Worcester Park have seen a decrease in shared, 4 and 5 bed properties. There has been a 2.2% increase for 1 and 2 bed properties only.
Outer South London Outer South West London Change Change April April from April April from 2012 2013 previous 2012 2013 previous year year Shared £78.50 £78.50 0% £80.77 £78.50 -2.8% 1 bed £155.77 £159.20 2.2% £201.92 £206.36 2.2% 2 bed £196.15 £200.47 2.2% £253.85 £259.43 2.2% 3 bed £253.85 £258.08 1.7% £311.54 £311.54 0% 4 bed £311.54 £318.39 2.2% £400.00 £392.16 -2.0% 5 bed £311.54 £318.39 2.2% £400.00 £392.16 -2.0% Source: www.directgov.co.uk Note: Prices are fixed annually from April
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Page 121 Agenda Item 11
5. Planning
5a. Number of major planning applications received 5b. Number of minor planning applications received
The number of planning applications is not representative of the number of additional units or the amount of additional floor space that is receiving planning permission, but it provides a QDUUDWLYHLQWHUPVRIKRZPXFKµSRWHQWLDO¶RULQWHUHVWWKHUHLVLQGHYHORSLQJLQ6XWWRQ
There has been a 28.6% increase in the number of planning applications that have been received by the council when comparing Q2 2012/13 with Q2 2013/14.
Whilst the number of minor planning applications in Q2 2013/14 is not as high as Q1 2013/14, it is 20% higher than Q2 in the previous year.
2012/13 2013/14 Change Change from from previous previous Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 quarter year
Major 7 6 6 11 9 -18.2% 28.6% Applications Minor 54 73 72 108 84 -22.2% 20.0% Applications Source: LB Sutton Development Control
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Agenda Item 11 Page 122
6. Schools
6a, 6b, 6c. Percentage of children receiving free school meals (FSM)
An important indicator in terms of the life chances for the children of Sutton. It not only adds to the narrative of those on benefit but how the economic downturn is directly affecting children and their access to (an equal/fair) education.
The proportion of full-time primary school children who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) has continued to decrease. Compared to May 2012 there has been a 14.8% reduction on the number of children receiving FSM. However, in secondary schools there has been an 11.4% increase in those claiming FSM.
Children attending special schools are most likely to be eligible for FSM with 52.1% of children in a special school receiving FSM in May 2013.
Change May October January May from
2012 2012 2013 2013 previous year Full-time primary 16.9% 15.9% 14.7% 14.4% -14.8% pupils Full-time secondary 7.9% 8.4% 8.7% 8.8% 11.4% pupils Full-time special 49.3% 41.8% 45.2% 52.1% 5.7% school pupils Source: LB Sutton: Research & Intelligence
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Page 123 Agenda Item 11
6XWWRQ&LWL]HQ¶V$GYLFH%XUHDX[ &$%
7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e & 7f. Enquiries
All types of enquiry have increased, with 10.1% more enquiries made in Q2 2013/14 compared to Q2 the previous year. Whilst there has been a general downward trend for most types of enquiries between Q2 and Q4 2012/13, numbers have now started to rise again.
2013/13 2013/14 Change Change from from Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 previous previous quarter year Total 2,790 3,081 2,754 2,891 3,064 3,391 10.7% 10.1%
Debt advice 19.7% 17.4% 18.6% 19.3% 18.6% 16.1% N/A N/A
Employment 11.3% 13.0% 11.5% 10.5% 11.5% 11.0% N/A N/A Family/ 7.3% 9.0% 9.2% 7.8% 9.3% 9.3% N/A N/A relationship Housing 14.9% 16.3% 17.8% 16.4% 15.8% 16.8% N/A N/A Source: Sutton CAB
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This page is intentionally left blank Page 125 Agenda Item 12
Report to: Housing, Economy and Business Committee
th Date: 26 November 2013
Report of: Executive Head of Economic Development, Planning & Sustainability
Ward Location: Beddington North Author(s) and Contact Phone Wallington North Number(s): Dean James (x6416) Area Served: Beddington Chair of the Committee:
Councillor Jayne McCoy
Report Title: Beddington Neighbourhood Area and Forum Designation
Summary: This report sets out the process and results of consultation on the applications from the µBeddington 1HLJKERXUKRRG'HYHORSPHQW*URXS¶IRUIRUPDOGHVLJQDWLRQRI D WKH neighbourhood area, and; (b) the neighbourhood forum, for purposes of producing a neighbourhood plan. Recommendations: The Housing, Economy and Business (HEB) Committee is recommended to: 1. )RUPDOO\GHVLJQDWHµ%HGGLQJWRQ¶DVDQHLJKERXUKRRGSODQQLQJDUHD, and; 2. )RUPDOO\GHVLJQDWHWKHµ%HGGLQJWRQ1HLJKERXUKRRG'HYHORSPHQW*URXS¶DVD neighbourhood planning forum Background Documents and Previous Decisions: Housing, Economy and Business Committee 18 September 2012:- Identified requests made so far for support to undertake Neighbourhood Planning and proposed a number of criteria and a methodology to help prioritise such requests. Housing, Economy and Business Committee 29 January 2013:- identified Beddington as the next area to receive priority support from the Council in developing a neighbourhood plan following assessment based upon agreed criteria.
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Signed:
Strategic Director Date: 13 November 2013
1. Background 1.1 One of the new powers to be introduced through the Localism Act is a new FRPPXQLW\ EDVHG SURFHVV FDOOHG µQHLJKERXUKRRG SODQQLQJ¶ JLYLQJ ORFDO communities more responsibilities to plan for their area. One of the main components of neighbourhood planning is WKH µQHLJKERXUKRRG GHYHORSPHQW SODQ¶Dflexible community-based document that would ultimately be adopted as part of the planning policy for the Borough.
1.2 In line with the Planning Advisory GrouS¶V UHVROXWLRQ LQ ZRUN ZDV undertaken in order to establish the level of demand for Neighbourhood Planning in the Borough, in addition to the neighbourhood planning work already being undertaken in Hackbridge. Neighbourhood planning was presented to each of the local committees as well as meetings of specific local groups where this has been requested. Additionally, Strategic Planning ran a successful public event for the local community to look at the background to Neighbourhood Planning, the benefits and opportunities it might present for them in their local areas and also to help the Council identify the level of support that they felt might be needed.
1.3 As a result of this activity a number of areas expressed an interest in taking forward neighbourhood planning. In the context of limited resources a Task and Finish Group was set up to decide on a fair and transparent range of indicators in order to help decide how to prioritise these areas. The Task and Finish Group considered a range of possible criteria and decided that requests for support should be determined in the context of the application of agreed criteria (as set out in Appendix 1). The Task and Finish Group agreed that the criteria should be applied sequentially and priority should be given to those proposals which meet them all. This was reported back to, and agreed, at the HEB Committee on 18th September 2012.
1.4 Following assessment of those areas that had expressed an interest, using the criteria and methodology, Beddington was identified as the next area to receive priority support in producing a neighbourhood plan, due to the development potential, number of strategic issues and levels of deprivation. This was endorsed by Members at the HEB committee on 29th January 2013. In addition the Beddington Area Renewal PrograPPHLGHQWLILHVµGHYHORSLQJD QHLJKERXUKRRGSODQ¶DVRQHRIWKHSULRULW\SURMHFWVIRU
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1.5 The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 require any community wishing to take forward neighbourhood planning to apply to the local authority for formal designation of; (a) a neighbourhood area; and (b) a neighbourhood forum. As such two applications were submitted to the Council by the Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group µWKH *URXS¶ RQ th August 2013. The 6-week period of public consultation was open between 19st September and 31nd October 2013.
2. Issues Application for designation of Neighbourhood Area 2.1 The Neighbourhood Planning Regulations require a community group to include in any application for designation of a neighbourhood area:
A map identifying the area to which the application relates; A statement explaining why the area is considered appropriate; A Statement that the organisation is a relevant body
2.2 The map that has been submitted by the Group is largely the Beddington North ward boundary. However, the proposed boundary also includes the Grange and gardens adjacent to Beddington Park, located in the Wallington North ward, as residents feel this effectively forms one open space. A map is available in Appendix 1.
2.3 Under the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations you cannot designate µRYHUODSSLQJ¶QHLJKERXUKRod planning areas. Therefore, if the Beddington area is designated, any future neighbourhood planning groups will not be able to µHQFURDFK¶LQWRWKHGHVLJQDWHGERXQGDU\
2.4 No comments or objections were received during the consultation period.
Application for designation of Neighbourhood Forum 2.5 The Neighbourhood Planning Regulations require a community group to include in any application for designation of a neighbourhood forum:
The name of the proposed forum; A copy of the written constitution of the group; Name of the neighbourhood area the application relates to; Contact details on at least one person; Statement which explains how the proposed neighbourhood forum meets conditions contained in section 61F(5) of the 1990 Act.
2.6 The second application submitted by the group contains the information to satisfy the above criteria. The Group is made up of a range of people from the community, including residents, business, other local interest groups and organisations, and have actively sought to raise awareness of the process and to attract new members. The Group has shown considerable enthusiasm, drive and motivation for this process and it is considered that they are competent and capable of taking forward a neighbourhood development plan for their area.
2.7 No comments or objections were received during the consultation period.
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3. Recommendations 3.1 Having reviewed both applications, and considering that no objections have so far been received (any comments received will be included in report), the Strategic Planning team is of the view that the requirements of the neighbourhood planning regulations have been satisfied. Therefore, the committee is recommended to formally designate both the neighbourhood area and the neighbourhood forum for purposes of the Group producing a neighbourhood plan for the Beddington area. Once adopted this plan will form part of the Local Development Framework and will be used in the determination of planning applications.
3.2 The Housing, Economy and Business (HEB) Committee is recommended to:
1. )RUPDOO\GHVLJQDWHµ%HGGLQJWRQ¶DVDQHLJKERXUKRRGSODQQLQJDUHD, and; 2. )RUPDOO\GHVLJQDWHWKHµ%HGGLQJWRQ1HLJKERXUKRRG'HYHORSPHQW*URXS¶ as a neighbourhood planning forum
4. Impacts and Implications Core impacts:
Financial 4.1 The costs of providing targeted officer support to help with the Beddington Neighbourhood Plan can be contained within the existing revenue estimates. Future costs to be incurred by this process include the examination of the draft plan and the referendum. The CLG has made grant funding available for local authorities to help support neighbourhood planning programmes. This includes the following:
Designation of a neighbourhood planning area = £5,000 Designation of a neighbourhood planning forum = £5,000 Submission of a draft plan to the local authority submitted = £5,000 Completion of a successful examination - £20,000 . 4.2 The Council was successful in securing £5,000 grant money following the designation of the Hackbridge and Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Planning Area (designated in September 2012) and will continue to actively pursue grant funding for the Beddington Neighbourhood Area too. The Government has confirmed that this funding structure will continue into the 2014/15 financial year.
Legal 4.3 There are no specific legal implications arising from the report.
Community 4.4 Consultation on the applications and any future consultation on a draft neighbourhood plan ZLOO KHOS ZLWK WKH &RXQFLO¶V DLP RI $FKLHYLQJ 6RFLDO Inclusion. It will also proYLGHWKHVSDWLDOSODQQLQJGLPHQVLRQIRUWKH%RURXJK¶V Community Strategy.
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One Planet Living 4.5 Working with the local community in Beddington in producing a neighbourhood development pODQ ZLOO KHOS FRQWULEXWH WR WKH &RXQFLO¶V DLP RI $FKLHYLQJ Environmental Sustainability by ensuring that the protection of our environment is a key consideration. Any plan produced will need to be in conformity with the development plan for Sutton, which will help support the policy aims of the /RFDO 'HYHORSPHQW )UDPHZRUN SDUWLFXODUO\ &RUH 3ROLF\ %3 µ2QH 3ODQHW /LYLQJ¶ 7KH *URXS FRQVLGHU WKH µ2QH 3ODQHW /LYLQJ¶ SULQFLSOHV DV fundamental to their neighbourhood plan.
Integrated Impact Assessment 4.6 One of the key objectives of the Local Development Framework, as set out in WKH&RUH3ODQQLQJ6WUDWHJ\LQUHODWLRQWRWKHWKHPHRIµ&UHDWLQJ6WURQJ$FWLYH DQG,QFOXVLYH&RPPXQLWLHV¶, is to promote social inclusion by ensuring equality of opportunity and accessibility to essential local services and facilities throughout the Borough. Working with the Beddington community to produce a neighbourhood plan provides significant opportunities for improvements for the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of all groups within Beddington.
Risk 4.7 No significant risks have been identified.
5. Consultation 5.1 In accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 the Council has consulted on both applications for a period of 6-weeks from 9th September and 31st October 2013 by placing copies of both applications on the Council website. In addition to this requirement the consultation has included:
Advertising the consultation on both applications in the local paper, including details of where the documents could be reviewed and the deadline for submitting comments; A dedicated webpage on the Council website; Placing copies of the documents at the Civic Offices, Sutton Library (Local Studies Centre), Denmark Road Offices, Beddington Library, and Wallington Library; A notice placed on the information board in Beddington; Promotion of the consultation at the Beddington Residents Association meeting Promotion of the consultation at the joint Beddington and Hackbridge Community Forum on 26th September 2013 and at the Beddington and Wallington Local Committee 1st October 2013.
5.2 The Council is yet to receive any representations, with consultation ending on 31st October.
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6. Timetable for Implementation 6.1 If the Members of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee designate both the neighbourhood area and neighbourhood forum the Council have a VWDWXWRU\UHTXLUHPHQWWRSXEOLFLVHERWKGHVLJQDWLRQVRQWKH&RXQFLOZHEVLWH³DV soon as possiblH´DIWHUWKHGHFLVLRQLVWDNHQ7KH&RXQFLOZLOODOVRDSSO\Ior the two £5,000 grants available to local authorities, on the designation of a neighbourhood area and forum, when the next claim window is open in January 2014.
7. Appendices Appendix 1 ± Assessment Criteria and Methodology Appendix 2 ± Application for Designation of Neighbourhood Area Appendix 3 ± Application for Designation of Neighbourhood Forum
APPENDIX 1: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGY
Issues Indicators
Level of anticipated Number of opportunity sites/Site Allocations growth/change in an identified in the proposed Neighbourhood Area as area this will indicate the likely level of development. Development issues in town and district centres and Strategic Industrial Locations. Existence of significant development proposals.
Complexity of The range of issues of strategic significance (i.e. Issues/ Meeting housing, employment etc) to be addressed in the Corporate area. Objectives How far the development of a Neighbourhood Plan RU2UGHUPD\KHOSPHHWWKHFRXQFLO¶VZLGHU objectives. Contribution to meeting the success of or synergies with other high profile projects i.e. the Outer London Fund work
Demographics in Levels of Deprivation the Area Whether the area is in a Priority Community Regeneration Area
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BEDDINGTON NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT GROUP
(1) Application for Designation of Neighbourhood Area
Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 Part 2 ±Neighbourhood Area
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Application for Designation as a Neighbourhood Area ± Part 2 (5) (1)
(a) Map Identifying the area to which this application relates $PDSLOOXVWUDWLQJWKHSURSRVHGµQHLJKERXUKRRGDUHD¶WRZKLFKWKHDSSOLFDWLRQUHODWHV is available in Annex 1
(b) Statement explaining why this area is considered appropriate to be designated
The map in Annex 1 represents a consensus of the members of the Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group that the Neighbourhood Area as described and specified in this application should be designated.
Beddington Beddington is a distinct and historic settlement in the London Boroughs of Sutton with a strong local identify. The parish appears in the Domesday Book as Beddinton(e) in the Wallington Hundred in the County of Surrey. The proposed neighbourhood area is made up of a number of distinct parts as described below. Some of these parts are experiencing or about to experience great change. All of these parts of the Neighbourhood Area will benefit from being considered and planned as a coherent entity.
Beddington Village The core of the settlement is the area known as Beddington Village. The river Wandle flows in an east-west direction through Beddington Village. The village is bisected north-south by the B272 which is variously called Beddington Lane / Hilliers Lane / Plough Lane along its course. Beddington Village has two Conservation Areas.
The village is one of a series of spring line settlements which is located along the northern edge of the North Downs, closely bounded by Wallington in the west and Croydon in the east. Along the foot of the downs the historic parishes were densely packed in an east west direction (along the spring line), each parish containing a distinct centre and strong local identity. These parishes then widened out in a north south direction,incorporating open downland to the south and the marshy open areas of the Wandle Valley to the north.
Beddington Farmlands The northern boundary to the proposed neighbourhood area is clearly formed by the boundary with Mitcham Common, which also forms the boundary between the London Borough of Sutton and the London Borough of Merton.
The land immediately south of this boundary is referred to as the Beddington Farmlands. This is a part of Beddington area, accessed from Beddington Lane in the east and bounded by the Sutton-Mitcham Junction railway line to the West. The land uses (past and present) have included agriculture (as part of the Beddington Estate),
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sand and gravel extraction, subsequent backfill and land raising by waste disposal, sewage treatment and disposal.
The London Plan identifies major potential for regeneration of business areas and residential communities and improvements to open space. This is focused around the creation of a 200 hectare country park at Beddington Farmlands through the restoration of land used for gravel extraction and landfill tipping (due to be restored to Metropolitan open land by 2016). This will link Beddington Park with Mitcham Common and form a key part of the proposed Wandle Valley Regional Park and is subject to an application for an Energy Recovery Facility / Incinerator. The successful restoration of this land, its use and physical appearance and network of connections are of key importance to the proposed Beddington Neighbourhood Area.
The proposed western boundary of the Beddington Neighbourhood Area will be the line of safety and security fencing immediately to the east of the railway track and therefore excludes any of the bridge structures over the railway line, which are part of the Hackbridge Neighbourhood Area. The Beddington Neighbourhood Development group recognizes that these links to Hackbridge will a key part of any successful regeneration of this area.
Beddington Park Beddington Park was part of the former Beddington Estate of the Carew family. The Grade I listed Great Hall contains a fine hammerbeam roof (surviving from the mediaeval house) and an early 18th century Grade II* listed dovecote. %HGGLQJWRQ¶V 14th Century flint parish church of St Mary's is situated in the park next to the house The Church is Grade II listed.. The Beddington Estate stretched into the Beddington Village and some of the older residential properties in the village have their origins as HVWDWHODERXUHUV¶FRWWDJHV6XWWRQ&RXQFLODQGWKH)ULHQGVRI%HGGLQJWRQ3DUN have submitted a Stage 1 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of the park. Designes for this restoration will need to be drawn up and the relationship to the rest of the Neighbourhood Area examined, particularly the links from the Park to the Beddington Famlands.
Following consultation with the Neighbourhood Development Group, the proposed Neighbourhood Area will incorporate Beddington Park and the open space immediately to the west of Beddington Park called the Grange. This open space is contiguous with Beddington Park and is in the Wallington North Ward. As the two parks effectively form one open space and the Grange will be part of a future park restoration project it is appropriate to incorporate this area into the Beddington Neighbourhood Area.
Beddington Local Centre and the Southern Edge The western boundary extends south wards from Beddington Park. The Neighbourhood Boundary follows the Ward Boundary and continues down the rear of properties along Demense Road. The properties in this area are generally from the 1930s and date from a time when the settlements of Croydon, Beddington and
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Wallington expaanded to become a continuous settled area as part of the suburban expansion of London. The boundaries between these areas become less distinct here, with ward and borough boundaries following the centre lines of roads, the boundaries to the rear of properties and then jumping across to the next road. In discussions over the proposed boundary, residents to the south of Croydon Lane (the A232) have stated that they identify with Beddington. and it made sense not to use the Croydon Lane as the boundary as this would have bisected the local centre and made it difficult to coherently plan both sides of the road. The Southern boundary also follows the Ward Boundary. This stops short of Stafford Road and Mellows Park which are excluded from the Beddington Neighbourhood Area. Plough Lane is included as together with Hilliers Lane and Beddington Lane it forms the spine of the Beddington Area. The homes in this area use the services of the Beddington Local centre and other facilities such as the school provide a Beddington focus.
Richmond Green To the south of Richmond Green, the Neighbourhood Boundary continues along the Borough Boundary line which itself follows the property boundaries between retail, housing and industrial areas which turn their backs on each other.
The housing around Richmond Green is an integral part of Beddington Village. It is also adjacent to an area of housing around Waddon Ponds in Croydon but the housing in Croydon fronts onto the ponds, turning its back to the proposed Beddington Neighbourhood Area. They are only joined by one footpath and a significant change in level reinforces their distinctness. The Borough Boundary has therefore been used as the Neighbourhood Area Boundary.
Beddington Industrial Area %HGGLQJWRQ 1HLJKERXUKRRG $UHD¶V SURSRVHG HDVWHUQ ERXQGDU\ IROORZV WKH 6XWWRQ Croydon borough boundary. The land to the north east of the Village is part of the Beddington Industrial Area, part of the South Wandle Strategic Industrial Area that stretches into the London Borough of Croydon.
The Tram Depot, Cherry Trees Housing Estate, Valley Park Retail area and the retail and industrial developments fronting the Purley Way are distinct from each other. The areas to the east of the boundary identify themselves clearly with the Wards of Waddon and Broad Green in the London Borough of Croydon and not with Beddington. The areas included in the proposed Neighbourhood area are accessed from the Beddington Lane side and are identified by the local community as part of the Beddington Area. The lack of east-west links between these areas reinforces the distinction between these areas.
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(c) Statement that the Organization is a Relevant Body In accordance with The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 Part 2 (5) (1) (c) this document represents the statement explaining why Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group is a relevant body for the purposes of Section 61G of the 1990 Act
The Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group has been working with the London Borough of Sutton with the aim of producing a neighbourhood plan for the Beddington Neighbourhood Area since October 2012.
The Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group is fully committed to promoting or improving the social, economic and environmental well being of the neighbourhood. The group is fully committed to working with businesses, landowners, developers in Beddington to help facilitate regeneration in Beddington which meets the aspirations of the community.
The Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group has an open membership which exceeds 21 individuals, including local residents, local businesses, individuals who work in the area and elected Councillors. In addition it has and elected Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group meet on a monthly basis, with the committee meeting on a weekly basis.
The minutes of the meeting are circulated to the group via email and are circulated at the next meeting for review. We hope to publish these on the Beddington.net website when this is up and running. Emails can be sent to [email protected]
The Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group therefore considers itself a relevant body for the purposes of Section 61G of the 1990 Act. Accordingly an application for designation as a neighbourhood forum has been submitted to Sutton Council (see Application 2).
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BEDDINGTON NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT GROUP
(2) Application for Designation of Neighbourhood Forum
Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 Part 3 ±Neighbourhood Forums
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Application for Designation as a Neighbourhood Area ± Part 3 (8)
| In accordance with The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 Part 3 (8) this document represents the statement explaining why the Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group is considered a relevant body for the purposes of designation as a neighbourhood forum.
(a) Name of the Proposed Forum: Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group
(b) Copy of Written Constitution See Annex 1.
(c) Name of the Neighbourhood Area to which this Application Relates: Beddington (See Annex 2 for Map) ±The boundary of the proposed neighbourhood area has been consulted on and represents the consensus of the Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group. . Please see the other application for the designation of the neighbourhood area for further details.
(d) Contact Details of Chair and Vice Chair In accordance with the requirements of the regulations the undernoted contact details are to be made public:
Dennis Philpott (Chair) Tel: 020 8647 5165
Lesley Pattinson (Vice Chair) Tel: 020 8726 0349
Email: [email protected]
(d) Statement Which Explains how the proposed neighbourhood forum meets the conditions contained in Section 61F (5) of the 1990 Act: A group of local residents and businesses are submitting this application for designation of a neighbourhRRGIRUXPIRUZKLFKZHZLOOIRUPXODWHDQGSURGXFHDµ1HLJKERXUKRRG 3ODQ¶
The Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group recognise and support the spatial YLVLRQIRU%HGGLQJWRQDVVHWRXWLQ6XWWRQ¶VDGRSWHG&RUH3ODQQLQJ6WUDWHJ\
Beddington is currently the subject of imminent and extensive change, over a variety of sites including the Beddington Strategic Industrial Area, the restoration of Beddington Park, and the regeneration of the Beddington Farmlands Opportunity Area and the proposed improvements to Beddington Lane. This change will have a significant impact on existing residential and business community. Accordingly local residents and
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businesses wish to be fully involved by consulting, engaging and working with developers and other agencies to ensure a positive impact on Beddington.
Additionally the enhancement of the River Wandle and the preparations for the creation of the Wandle Valley Regional Park are also factors that will significantly influence the lives of residents and create opportunities for business growth within Beddington.
This will require careful planning to ensure that all people who live and work in Beddington feel included in major changes, which will result in a better quality of life for visitors, a thriving employment area and a place for people to visit and enjoy the natural environment as part of the proposed Wandle Valley Regional Park. Proposals need to be designed and built in full consultation with local residents and having full regard to the effect on the local community, businesses and the environment.
The Members of the Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group are committed to producing a plan which improves the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the Beddington Area. Using the vehicle of a Neighbourhood Plan, we aim to create a VXVWDLQDEOHQHLJKERXUKRRGPHHWLQJWKHYLVLRQRI6XWWRQ¶V&RUH3ODQQLQJ6WUDWHJ\
Through this process residents and businesses aspire to: Protect and enhance the character of Beddington. Protect, enhance and improve provision, access and use of open space for play, recreation and biodiversity Enhance connectivity within the Beddington Area and to surrounding areas. Support and grow the viability of the neighbourhood centre Support sustainable business growth Promote sustainable transport and accessibility Improve health and well-being, including enhancing the visual appearance of an area suffering environmental decline. Further enhance the river Wandle and wetlands as a green corridor for wildlife and its enjoyment by people either living locally or visiting the area. Encourage sustainable development, energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, reducing waste, encouraging recycling, managing flood risk, protecting habitats and enhancing biodiversity Identify, protect, restore and enhance historic buildings in Beddington.
Formulating a neighbourhood plan will provide clear guidance and direction to investors and developers as to the way in which local people wish to see Beddington move forward and thrive in the future. It will form part of a long term delivery plan for implementation by a variety of partners.
The Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group has been meeting since October 2012 and consists of:
Local residents from all parts of the area Local businesses
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Councillors Land owners People who work in the area Community and interest groups
The current membership exceeds the minimum number of 21 individuals, including representatives from all the above categories (further details are set out in the Written Constitution available in Annex 1). New members are actively encouraged at all times including updates at the Local Committee and other local community meetings and events.
The Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group welcomes the powers being passed to local residents and businesses under the provisions of the Localism Act 2012 and is capable of working with all relevant partners to help bring forward positive development in the neighbourhood. This includes key landowners such as Thames Water and Viridor and local amenity groups such as the Friends of Beddington Park and the Beddington Farmlands Bird Group.
The Beddington neighbourhood Development Group therefore considers that the above information demonstrates it is a relevant body for the purposes of Section 61F(5) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to apply for designation as a 'Neighbourhood Forum'.
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Annex 1 ±Written Constitution BEDDINGTON NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT GROUP TERMS OF REFERENCE
Purpose: To shape the development of Beddington for the benefit of local people. Planning and improving the social, economic and environmental well being of the neighbourhood area.
Aim: The group aims to lead the local community in shaping future developments and may receive statutory powers
Membership: There should be a minimum membership of 21 members. Membership is open to all who live or work in Beddington (the Beddington Neighbourhood Area), elected members and Sutton Council.
Meetings: Meetings will normally be held monthly. Seven Members will constitute a quorum. Formal meetings will be publicized on a noticeboard at Beddington Village Hall and on Beddington.net
Voting: Disussions will aim at consensus. If a vote is taken, voting is restricted to members as defined above.
Code of Conduct: Everyone is to be treated with respect.
Communication: The group will communicate with the local community through the web and printed materials, and through the Beddington Farmlands New Liaison Group.
Officers: Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary will be appointed at a formal meeting of the group, normally for a period of 12 months. The Group will appoint facilitators to lead particular sub-groups.
Sub Groups may be identified and will report through this group. These may include: Housing and the Built Environment Utilities Transport Local Economy Environment Health and Happiness
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Membership List
Beddington Residents Association J French J Compton T Wright P Philpott H Foreman K Watknison G Watkinson D Oakham T Hedgeland M Hedgeland L Pattison S Jefcoate J Perry E Donegan C Tipping T Tipping L King A Lansdown Cllr P Ali J Emberson S Goodwin A Singleton P Hawkes R±M Charndler S Gwynn P Gray T Sweeney Cllr J Gray D Philpott Cllr J Leach
Friends of Beddington Park Ted Burden
Beddington Farmlands Bird Group Peter Alfrey
Metropolitan Police PCSO H Maguire PCSO D Goodwin Sgt S James
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LB Sutton S Blomfield D James B Wyatt L Robinson C Moore
Bioregional B Gill S Riddlestone
Viridor V Perez-Mares
Thames Water M Matthews
Beddington Lane Strategic Industrial Area tbc
Wandle Trust Bells Davies Tim Longstaff
Wandle Valley Regional Park Peter Wilkinson
Sustrans Bryn Lockwood Rebecca Jones
Sutton Cycle Campaign tbc
Hackbridge and Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Development Group (adjoining Neighbourhood Forum we consult with) Helena Barrowclough
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Job Descriptions
Chairman: responsible for the overview and facilitation of the Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group (enabling the successful production of a neighbourhood plan)
Plan and Chair a monthly meeting of the Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group
Facilitate the work of any sub-groups, ensuring momentum is maintained. Attend meetings to provide clarification and continuity across sub groups. Provide regular updates to all the subgroups undertaking specific tasks.
Maintain dialogue with all stakeholders, including those identified below: -London Borough of Sutton (Ward Councillors, Strategic Planning and Projects, other relevant department representatives). -Department of Communities and Local Government -Local Businesses -Surgeries -Resident and Amenity Groups -Schools -Residents
Ensure that membership of the Neighbourhood Development Group continues to Grow through regular community engagement, demonstrating that members are drawn from all areas of the neighbourhood.
Vice Chair: To support and assist the functions of the chairman.
Act as a point of contact with developers, landowners and interest groups to build relationships and promote the neighbourhood development group.
Treasurer: To manage and record the accounts of the Neighbourhood Development Group.
To identify streams of funding to progress the aims of the neighbourhood development group.
Secretary: Prepare, plan and record a monthly meeting of the Beddington Neighbourhood Development Group.
Provide secretarial support to record an accurate record of meetings, actions and to task members to effect such actions and report back.
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Responsible for the overall coordination and production of Neighbourhood Plan Documents and coommunications.
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Annex 2 ±Proposed Beddington Neighbourhood Area Boundary
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This page is intentionally left blank Page 149 Agenda Item 14a
Report to: Housing, Economy and Business Committee
Date: 26 November 2013
Report of: Executive Head of Community Living and Strategic Commissioning
Ward Location: All Author(s) and Contact Phone Number(s): Lorraine Thomas (020 8770 5794) Housing Needs and Prevention of Homelessness Service Manager Ar ea Served: Borough-wide Chair of the Committee : Cllr Jayne McCoy
Report title: Review of the Impact of the Council’s New Allocations Policy – establishment of a Task and Finish Group
Summary In October 2012, the Council adopted a new allocations scheme. As part of the Council’s role in ensuring the effective and fair allocation of social housing and following a period of implementation, it was agreed that a review of the impact of the new allocations policy would be carried out. In order to take this work forward it is recommended that a Task and Finish Group of Members be set up to consider the outcome of the analysis, issues arising and the impact of welfare reform on the allocation of social housing. Recommendations I recommend that the Committee: (i) appoints a Task and Finish Group to consider the data flowing from the analysis of activity over the past 12 months; (ii) consider the impact on the allocation of social housing arising from the implementation of welfare reform; (iii) agrees the membership of the Task and Finish Group to be drawn from the Housing, Economy and Business Committee; (iv) delegates to the Strategic Director, Adult Social Services, Housing and Health, in consultation with the Chair, the Terms of Reference of the Group. Agenda Item 14a Page 150
Background Documents and Previous Decisions Nil
Signed:
Strategic Director Date: 15 th November 2013