Please ask for: Cherie Wiles Telephone: 01482 615019 Fax: 01482 614804 Email: [email protected] Text phone: 01482 300349 Date: Thursday, 15 September 2016
Dear Councillor,
People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission
The next meeting of the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission will be held at 14:00 on Thursday, 24 September 2015 in Room 77 .
The Agenda for the meeting is attached and reports are enclosed where relevant.
Please Note: It is likely that the public, (including the Press) will be excluded from the meeting during discussions of exempt items since they involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as describe in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
Yours faithfully,
Scrutiny Officer for the Town Clerk
Town Clerk Services, Hull City Council, The Guildhall, AlfredPage Gelder 1 of 160Street, Hull, HU1 2AA www.hullcc.gov.uk DX: 11934 HULL 1 Tel: 01482 300300
People and Communities OSC To: Membership: Councillors Armstrong, Abbott, Conner, Craker, Dad, Dorton, Gardiner, Pantelakis, Payne C, Thomas and Thompson
Officers: Tracy Harsley, City Safe and Early Intervention Manager Laura Carr, City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager Andy Brown, City Customer Services Manager Andy Burton, City Streetscene Manager Cherie Wiles, Scrutiny Officer (6)
Portfolio Holders: Councillor Geraghty, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure Councillor Black, Portfolio Holder for Council Infrastructure Councillor Clark A, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Communities Councillor Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City
For Information: Councillor McVie (Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee) Councillor Korczak Fields, (Deputy Chair Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee) Julie Franklin, PA to City Safe and Early Intervention Manager Christine Fairbank, PA to City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager Michelle Wray, PA to City Customer Services Manager Neil Kingston, Office of Police & Crime Commissioner (Public Set) Reference Library (Public Set)
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People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission 14:00 on Thursday, 24 September 2015
Room 77
A G E N D A PROCEDURAL ITEMS
1 Apologies
To receive apologies for those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.
2 Declarations of Interest To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any Personal and Discloseable Pecuniary interest in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct.
Members Code of Conduct - Part D1 of the Constitution)
3 Minutes of the meeting held 23 July 2015 5 - 18 Details
NON-EXEMPT ITEMS
4 Portfolio Holder Priorities - Cllr A Clark 19 - 22 Details
5 Portfolio Holder Priorities - Councillor Black 23 - 26 Details
6 City Manager Presentation - September 2015 27 - 54 Details
7 Credit and Savings Theme - September 2015 55 - 60 Details
8 Green Space Loss & Compensation 61 - 90 Details
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9 Parking on Verges 91 - 98 Details
10 Private Rented Housing 99 - 110 Details
11 Gypsy and Traveller Sites 111 - 112 Details
12 Demolition of Properties 113 - 116 Details
13 Rent Arrears, Possession, Eviction and Homelessness 117 - 130 Details
14 Affordable Warmth Strategy 2016-2021 131 - 150 Details
15 Home Office 3 year tender for the Gateway Protection 151 - 158 Programme Details
16 Outstanding Action List 2014-15 and 2015-16 Sept 2015 159 - 160 Details
EXEMPT ITEMS
17 No Exempt Items THERE ARE NO EXEMPT ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA
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People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission
2:00 p.m – 4:50 p.m Thursday, 23 July, 2015, Room 77, The Guildhall, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull, HU12AA Present:
Councillors: Abbott, Craker (Chair), Dad, Dorton, Gardiner, Hatcher ( substituting for Cllr. Thomas) , C. Payne, Pantelakis, Thompson,
In attendance:
C. Wiles (Scrutiny Officer) T. Harsley (City Safe and Early Intervention Manager) Minute 9 V. Paddison (Domestic Violence Co-Ordinator) Minute 9 B. Galloway (Community Rehabilitation Company) Minute 10 W. Sefton (National Probation Service) Minute 10 L. Carr (City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager) Minute 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 L. Jamil (Strategy and Appraisals Manager) Minute 11, 13, 14 M. Bell (Benefit Assessment Manager) Minute 11, 15 M. McEgan (Assistant City Manager – Housing Management) Minute 12 N. Turner (Assistant City Manager – Strategic Planning and Partnerships) Minute 15 D. Shepherdson (Financial Inclusion Officer) Minute 16 L. Buttery (Assistant City Manager – Customer Services) Minute 17, 21
Apologies:
Councillors: Armstrong, Conner, Thomas (Deputy Chair)
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Minute Number Action to be Taken by
7 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST R. Teal
Councillor Thompson declared an interest in respect of minute 14 as a Director of KWL.
Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
N/A N/A
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, 11 JUNE, (a) Scrutiny Officer 8 2015
The Scrutiny Officer submitted the minutes from the meeting held on Thursday 11 June for approval.
Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
a) The minutes of the meeting, of this Commission, held on a) As per the minute Thursday, 11 June, 2015, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Chair.
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NON EXEMPT ITEMS
9 CITY MANAGER PRESENTATION - CITYSAFE (a-b) V. Paddison
The City Safe and Early Intervention Manager and Domestic Violence Co-Ordinator attended the Commission to provide an update on domestic violence and youth services.
The Commission discussed: • Domestic Violence Services – has won awards is considered best practice, supports children and families involved in the relationships, work with Police and other agencies, few areas in the country that deliver the same level of service, waiting lists for strength to change programme it is successful, 400-460 active cases per 10.5 staff which currently includes 55 high risk cases, if funding is reduced the service would have to prioritise high risk, need to work harder at early intervention educating young people who are starting out on their first relationship so they understand what is ‘normal behaviour’, there has been a small increase in the numbers of young people referred to the service who are in their 1 st /2 nd relationships, the city has white ribbon status with 40 male ambassadors, there are spikes in domestic violence on weekends/bank holidays and after football matches, there is no longer a service based in the hospital • Clare’s Law – anybody can make a request for a ‘right to know’ the individual in the relationship can make a request for a ‘right to ask’, the Police and a DAP worker will meet with the individual if a disclosure is made • DV Protection Orders – police given additional powers to prevent people arrested for domestic violence offences and released without charge contacting the complainant or attending at their address for a period of 14 to 28 days following release allowing the service time to work with the victim • Impact in Hull – between 8 March 14 and 31 January 15 the following applications have been submitted to Humberside Police: 17 Right to Ask requests, 4 disclosures made, 10 no disclosures, 3 still gathering information; 14 Right to Know requests, 1 disclosure made, 10 no disclosures, 3 still gathering information. • Hull Youth Justice Service – has seen a considerable change, has had a complete restructure and now based in Kenworthy House with other targeted youth services, they are delivering in the localities on an early help and intervention basis and working more in schools, have almost reduced the use of remand beds to zero, officers using electronic tablets so not required to return to the office. • Service Standards – the Youth Justice Board is reviewing how the service is delivered nationally.
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Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
(a) That the Domestic Violence Service considers using (a) To raise awareness. Ward Newsletters to raise awareness. (b) That the Domestic Violence Service asks the Health (b) This was an integral role for the service allowing the opportunity to Service to fund a hospital based domestic violence support victims of domestic violence whilst admitted to hospital. position.
K. Munson and I. Ware 10 TRANSFORMING REHABILITATION PROGRAMME
The Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) and National Probation Service (NPS) attended the Commission to provide a 6 monthly update.
The Commission discussed: • High risk offenders and court liaison is the responsibility of the NPS, low to medium risk offenders with a high risk of re-offending is the responsibility of the CRC, February to April transition stage, May to end of December delivery stage, CRC has had a reduction in staff, new performance measures with a focus on public protection and swift justice, for licences to be successfully completed, there is a push for payment by results and reducing reoffending, not seen a great deal of change but is due to happen, delivering a quality service is crucial, have developed a risk escalation process which is considered good practice, a commitment to domestic violence with the development of a regional hub to ensure the processes meet the needs of the city, working to new legislation community orders allow the service to work with individuals more flexibly to seek out the most appropriate intervention, keen to secure an accredited programme for low level risk offenders, youth to adult portal now receive information earlier from Youth Justice so have a better understanding of what is driving their behaviours, CRC are responsible for ‘through the gate’ which is going well, seeing a steady increase in custodial sentences if sentenced to less than 12 months they also receive a period of licence and post sentence supervision which is enforceable, the service aims to reduce re-offending by 6% in 2018.
Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
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(a) That the Director of Probation and the Director of the (a) To monitor the impact that the changes to the Probation Service are Community Rehabilitation Programme attend a meeting having on the City. in 6 months time to provide a further update on the programme.
11 NEIGHBOURHOODS & HOUSING – SUPPORTED HOUSING (a) L. Carr (b) A. Brown (c) A. Barker (d) C. Wiles
The City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager, Strategy and Appraisals Manager and Benefit Assessment Manager attended the Commission to provide an update on the issues for those who live in supported housing being funded by Housing Benefit, specifically in relation to the checking and monitoring of levels of need and independence.
The Commission discussed: • That there is little the Local Authority can do, they can provide guidance but can’t take any formal action, concerns about the welfare of individuals in supported housing, huge potential areas for conflict of interest in their interest to keep individual vulnerable to continue to receive financial gains, safeguarding for vulnerable adults may not be getting the care they pay for, has the potential for fraud, housing related support contracts state that they have a responsibility to move the individual on. • Supported Exempt Accommodation (SEA) does not come under the remit of any English inspection body and does not fall under the remit of the Care Quality Commission (unlike personal care contracts), so any concerns would have to be raised directly with the landlord initially and may be escalated to the Charity Commission, Regulator of Community Interest Companies or Homes and Community Agency. Expansion of SEA is a national issue. There have been some indications that, as part of future welfare reform, that SEA and Specified Accommodation (SA) budgets may be devolved to local authorities to administer. Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
(a) That Members of this Commission receive, outside of the (a) For their information. Page 9 of 160 P a g e 5
meeting, a list of supported accommodation providers within the City. (b) That the Housing Benefit Fraud Team confirm if anything (b) To ascertain whether the Council can or does take any action. can be done in terms of care no longer required still being received. (c) That the Adult Social Care Service confirms whether this (c) To ascertain whether the Council can or does take any action. area is monitored as a safeguarding adult’s issue. (d) Lobby through the Local Government Association that (d) To ensure that vulnerable people are receiving the care, support exempt accommodation should be subject to review and supervision that their landlords are being funded to provide. through CQC or similar.
N/A 12 IMPACT OF CHANGES TO THE ALLOCATION POLICY
The City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager and Assistant City Manager – Housing Management attended the Commission to provide an update on the impact of the changes to the allocation policy to tenants who have been left in occupation following the death of the named tenancy owner.
The Commission discussed: • This is the most complex procedure the service has, every case is different and the majority of cases require legal advice. • That the housing officers are sympathetic and flexible and handle these cases very well, they are aware that family members are protected from the social sector size criteria for up to 12 months from the date of death.
Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
That the update is noted. N/A
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13 HOUSING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL STRATEGY AND (b) L. Carr PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS STRATEGY
The City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager and Strategy and Appraisals Manager attended the Commission to allow Members the opportunity to have an early input into the development of the strategies.
The Commission discussed: • Why a Housing Strategy • The Vision • Timetable • Current housing strategy and progress – to combine quality and renewal in one chapter, that the data be reviewed for individual deprived streets in wards • Issues which may affect strategy development and delivery – housing bill due in the Autumn and the spending review, concerns about future changes, young people to lose tenancies, create hundreds of thousands of pounds of debt for the authority, that a strategy needs to be in place so the Council understands the needs of the city as it is now • Demand for Housing – analysis required on current and future needs • Responding to Homelessness • Improving access to housing • Reasons for homelessness – top reasons include loss of private rented home • Rough sleeping – how accurate the figure of 10 rough sleepers is, that the count is undertaken following statutory guidance but the actual figure is much more • Provision Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
(a) That the presentation be noted. (a) N/A
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(b) That ward maps and data be circulated to the relevant (b) To allow Members the opportunity to input into any future ward members for consideration of streets or areas that neighbourhood renewal projects. should be included in any future neighbourhood renewal projects.
N/A 14 EMPTY HOMES 2015-18
The City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager attended the Commission to provide an update on the progress with the 2015-18 programme.
Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
That the update is noted. N/A
15 PERFORMANCE MONITORING OF CITY PLAN MEASURES FOR C. Wiles/Cllr Black/Cllr A. Clark Q4 OF 2014-15
The City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager, Assistant City Manager – Strategic Planning and Partnerships and Benefit Assessment Manager attended the Commission to provide an update on the City Plan Priority 3 indicators.
The Commission discussed: • Why the percentage of rent collected would help residents to make their money go further, that other measures would be more
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appropriate to be considered under that theme, where resources are committed it does help people. • Enforcement action risen, the Council should be more pro-active and assume that those people who don’t engage may be vulnerable and intervene at an early stage to stop debt rising Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
That the Commission discuss with the Portfolio Holders, at their To ascertain whether these are the most appropriate measures. next meeting, the current performance measures within the ‘help residents to make their money go further’ theme of the City Plan to ascertain whether these are the most appropriate measures.
(a&b) D. Shepherdson (c) T. Welsh 16 FOOD FUEL FINANCE – SAVING FUEL SAVING MONEY
The Financial Inclusion Officer attended the Commission to provide an update on the implementation and outcomes of the Anti-Poverty Task and Finish Panel recommendations that sit within the Saving Fuel, Saving Money theme.
The Commission discussed: • The current contract is set to expire in October, several other companies have approached the Council to run the scheme the savings are comparable. The average saving per person per year is £226. • Energy companies have an obligation to replace meters with smart meters by 2020. As tariffs change throughout the day they show you when it is cheaper to use appliances. • That energy monitors may not help those in poverty, they could frighten pensioners in a winter when they turn the heating on and can see how much it costs. • That the information regarding the OVO Communities initiative is positive.
Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
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(a) That collective energy switching offers are explored and a (a) To ensure there is a contract in place. contract is in place to start in October 2015. (b) To ensure that elderly people are not frightened into reducing their (b) That the Council do not target elderly people to advise heating bills. them to cut down on fuel. (c) That the Commission be informed, outside of the (c) The briefing paper did not provide enough information and there was meeting, whether the green deal performance is no officer present to answer the queries. considered good and whether £2.8 million is a sufficient amount of funding.
(a&b) L. Buttery 17 WELFARE FUNERAL UPDATES
The Assistant City Manager – Customer Services attended the Commission to provide an update on the overall situation regarding funerals whereby family members or next of kin fail to come forward to make arrangements for the deceased, known as welfare funerals.
The Commission discussed: • That it is the duty of the Council if the person dies at home and the responsibility of the HEY Trust for those people who die at hospital premises. The Council re-claims the cost from the Secretary of State. • That funeral directors are aware of what finances are available from the DWP and discuss with families what they can afford to pay before arranging the funeral. • The figures for the last 10 years show that the number of welfare funerals undertaken by the Council has reduced quite significantly since 2012. However the Council have dealt with 10 welfare funerals since January 2015 indicating a potential increase in the number requiring assistance this year. • That Hull City Council is not sending welfare funerals out of the city, this would only happen if the body was oversized. Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
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(a) That the number of welfare funerals undertaken by the (a) To enable Members to have all the data. HEY Trust are provided to Members of the Commission outside of the meeting. (b) For Members information. (b) That the average cost of a welfare funeral is provided to Members outside of the meeting.
18 REFERRALS FROM THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY A. Codd MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Scrutiny Officer provided a verbal update on the responses received from the service area in relation to referrals from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.
The Commission were informed that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee had been asked to investigate how the Council deals with the splitting up of compensatory greenspace and ensures it conducts itself in the correct manner. They agreed that this matter be considered further by the P&C OSC. The Commission were informed that a response had been received from the City Planning Manager in that ‘wherever greenspace is developed compensatory greenspace needs to be provided or a financial sum to improve or re-provide the greenspace’.
The Commission were informed that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee had been asked to consider alternative ‘regeneration’ uses for the site on Beverley Road. They agreed that this matter be considered further by the P&C OSC. The Commission were informed that a response had been received from the City Planning Manager in that ‘the City Planning Manager has confirmed in principle the site would be suitable for residential use subject to a detailed design and viability assessment of the site. The Property and Assets Manager should now progress drawing up a scheme for its redevelopment’.
Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
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That the City Planning Manager provides a briefing paper to the To ensure the Council is conducting itself in the correct manner. September meeting in regards to how the Council deals with the splitting up of compensatory green space, the amount of greenspace the Council has lost and how much they have recouped in compensatory greenspace or financial gain in the last 12 months.
C. Wiles 19 OUTSTANDING ACTION LIST 2014-15 AND 2015-16
The Scrutiny Officer presented the outstanding actions of the Commission and provided verbal updates for those recommendations that were received since the agenda was published.
Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
That the update regarding the Revenues and Benefits For his information. Commercial Venture is emailed to Councillor Dorton.
N/A 20 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
That, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public (including the Press) be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business, minute 21, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act information relating to consultations and negotiations of contemplated
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consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matters arising between the Council and employees of or office holders under the Council, and that the public interest test in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because commercial information relating to the bidding companies which it would not be in the public interest to disclose and consultation had not yet been undertaken with staff potentially affected.
L. Scholes 21 PROVISION OF THE HULL ADVICE SERVICE
The Assistant City Manager – Customer Services attended the Commission to provide a report which provided the options around the future delivery of the Hull Advice Service.
The Commission discussed: • The options presented in the report and the savings to be made. • That a quality service is needed in the city as people need expert advice particularly with the welfare changes that are to impact on the city. • The Kirklees Council model, officers have seen a demonstration and Kirklees will share with Hull City Council for a fee.
Recommendations: Reasons for Recommendations:
That Cabinet do not make the proposed reduction in budgets to There were concerns over the timing of this proposal due to expected the Hull Advice Service. That the Council investigate further the forthcoming changes to welfare support and the potential for other options Kirklees Council model, which supports the Customer to be considered. Enablement Programme and Digital by Default agenda, and if viable procure the self-service tool that will allow the service to make future savings.
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Briefing Paper to the People and Communities Overview Wards: All and Scrutiny Commission
24 th September 2015
Priority Work of the Public Protection Division
Briefing Paper of the Assistant City Manager, Public Protection, on behalf of the Corporate Director for Public Health and Adult Services
1. Purpose of the Paper and Summary
This paper highlights some of the key priority areas of work of the Public Protection Division for 2015/16. It gives a brief overview of what work is being undertaken, and identifies any issues for consideration. The priority areas are:-
1. Dealing with illicit tobacco. 2. Ensuring the safety of food from mobile traders at public events up to and including City of Culture 2017. 3. Review and implementation of a revised Environmental Noise and Vibration Policy. 4. Provision of an effective service to deal with rat infestations in the city. 5. Review and implementation of a revised Taxi Licensing Policy and Procedures including a programme of spot checks of vehicles and drivers.
2. Background
The Public Protection Division is part of the Public Health and Adult Services Directorate, and staff are responsible for enforcing legislation to create and maintain a clean, safe and attractive environment within the city of Hull; to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents, visitors, employees and the self employed, and to ensure a safe and fair trading environment in which industry and commerce can flourish.
The Division is made up of four service areas (sections). Each having its own work plan from which these priorities have been selected:
• Environmental Regulation • Food, Health & Safety • Licensing • Trading Standards
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3. Issues for Consideration
Dealing with Illicit Tobacco
The Trading Standards Section is implementing a strategy to tackle illicit tobacco which is a strand of the Tobacco Control Plan for Hull. They will be attempting to identify informal markets and take disruptive action through data exchange with partners including HM Revenue & Customs and the Police. Action will involve following up intelligence and complaints about illegal sellers, seizing supplies and initiating prosecutions. A programme of premises inspections will also be undertaken to ensure compliance with tobacco legislation generally.
Dealing with illicit tobacco is an essential part of the Tobacco Control Plan. The availability of cheap tobacco is a particular problem in disadvantaged communities where smoking prevalence rates are amongst the highest in the country, and it undermines work being done to help people quit. The success of the strategy is in part dependent on the availability of reliable intelligence about illegal sellers and the ability to secure the involvement and support of the other partner agencies as well as the community.
Ensuring the Safety of Food from Mobile Traders at Public Events held in the lead up to and during the City of Culture 2017
The Food, Health & Safety Section are introducing a pilot inspection scheme they have developed to ensure mobile food hawkers in the city are safe and operate to a high standard. The scheme is based on use of the existing risk ratings and the Food Hygiene Rating Score.
There is expected to be an increase in the number of public events held in the period leading up to the City of Culture year and during 2017 itself. Based on experience, these events are likely to feature large numbers of mobile food traders. It is important to have a tried and tested system in place to ensure the safety of food provided through these outlets, and to protect reputable businesses from unauthorised traders seeking to make a quick profit. The scheme being piloted needs to be capable of dealing with large numbers of traders that set up at short notice and are often from out of town, meaning there is no previous history held on the database. Events are held in the evening and at weekends, so staff need to be available at those times in order to respond appropriately.
Review and Implementation of a revised Environmental Noise and Vibration Policy
The Environmental Regulation Section are reviewing the Environmental Noise Policy primarily to take account of changes brought about following the
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introduction of the ASB, Crime & Policing Act 2014, but also the Council’s revised Standby and Call Back to Work Arrangements.
Environmental Health Officers and other technical staff from the Section provide the Council with the expertise required to deal with technical issues relating to noise or vibration, and respond to complaints about statutory nuisance caused by either, which often occur outside of normal office hours. Their input can have far reaching consequences, ranging from enforcement action for statutory nuisance being taken against individuals or businesses, the setting of noise and/or vibration emission levels through the planning process such as at Green Port Hull, or the control of noise from licensed premises or events.
It is therefore important that the Policy is periodically reviewed to check it is fit for purpose, and to ensure that the Council is providing an effective and proportionate service to deal with all the various types of noise or vibration. This is so that individuals and communities are properly protected from the adverse effects of both.
Review the Sewer Baiting Programme and ensure the provision of an effective service to deal with rat infestations in the city
The Environmental Regulation Section provides an effective pest control service to deal with rat infestations in the city and protect public health. Staff respond to complaints about rats, carry out investigations and take action to eradicate rats escaping from sewers onto land or into buildings. Rather than simply treat infestations, the team also investigate the source of the problem, which is often a drain fault, and ensure remedial action is taken.
An important part of the work is to ensure that the population of rats in the main sewers are properly controlled, because this will directly affect the level of activity on the surface. The process for doing this will be reviewed and involves sharing information about the nature and whereabouts of surface infestations with Yorkshire Water on a daily basis, so that they can target their sewer baiting programme more effectively.
Review and implementation of a revised Taxi Licensing Policy and Procedures including a programme of spot checks of Vehicles and Drivers
A scrutiny panel has been set up by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to carry out a thorough review of the Taxi Licensing Policy and procedures in light of a recent incident . The Licensing Section are participating in an officer task and finish panel which will provide evidence and make recommendations regarding any potential amendments to the Policy or procedures to the members’ Scrutiny Panel .
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The Section will then implement any approved changes to ensure the Council is discharging its statutory duty in connection with taxis in accordance with current legislation and up to date national guidance.
At the same time a series of spot checks of private hire and hackney carriage vehicles will be undertaken, with appropriate action taken to ensure any defects are remedied to protect public safety.
4. Next Steps
Activity in these work streams is included in each Section’s work plan, and progress will be monitored through the Public Protection Performance Management system, and discussed at monthly management meetings as well as Portfolio Holder Briefings.
A separate process and reporting timetable is being used by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee in connection with the review of Taxi Licensing Policy and related processes, and any amendments that are required to these will be incorporated into an updated work plan for the Licensing Section.
Contact Officer: Trevor Todd Telephone No. : 615585
Officer Interests: None
Background Documents: - None
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Briefing Paper to the People and Communities Overview Wards : All and Scrutiny Commission
24 th September 2015
Portfolio Holder Priorities - City Plan Enabler Council Infrastructure: (including Housing and Waste Management)
Briefing Paper of the of Portfolio Holder City Plan Enabler Council Infrastructure: (including Housing and Waste Management
1. Purpose of the Paper and Summary
1.1 This briefing note sets out the Portfolio Holder’s priorities and highlights areas where the Commission can provide support.
1.2 The Commission will be aware of the recent announcements by government which will have a significant impact on the finances for the Council’s own housing stock. This briefing note sets out the implications where these are known and some initial analysis. As a result of these proposed changes it will be essential to review the HRA Business Plan to ensure that the services remain financially viable and meet customer needs.
1.3 The regeneration of private housing remains a priority for the Council and this note sets out progress and future proposals.
2. Background
2.1 The summer budget on 8 th July set out a number of proposals in relation to rents for social housing and welfare benefits which have been included in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill currently before parliament. These include: • The requirement for all social landlords to reduce rent by 1% for 4 years from 2016/17. • The reduction in the Benefits Cap to £20,000 for a working age household outside of London. This is the maximum a household can receive in benefits, including housing benefit or local housing allowance. • A 4 year freeze to working age benefits, including local housing allowance and changes to Universal Credit tapers. • Restriction of 18-21 year olds to receive Housing Benefit . • Pay to stay for tenants who earn £30,000 or more - under which tenants will pay a market rent, rather than a social rent.
Author: Page 23 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 1 of 4 • A review of lifetime tenancies. • Restrictions on benefits around the number of children. Additionally there are wider policy changes that will have an indirect impact on the HRA.
2.2 The government has also made a number announcements which set out their approach to promoting home ownership – including the Right to Buy for Housing Association tenants and promotion of low cost home ownership starter homes. Government has also said that it intends to review lifetime tenancies with a view to ensuring that Council housing is only for those who need it. A Housing Bill is due to be published in October 2015, giving more details of these proposals.
2.3 Taken together these changes have far reaching impacts on the health of the housing revenue account business plan. The annual budget in February each year sets out Council housing spending plans in a 30 year Business Plan. Given the government’s proposals it will be necessarily to review all elements of this plan. These issues will also be considered as part of the on-going review of our landlord service delivery to ensure that our services are viable into the future. In addition we will need to ensure that our policy framework is fit for purpose.
2.4 In addition to the focus on the sustainability of the HRA I remain committed to our housing regeneration schemes and to improving housing conditions in the private sector in Hull. The private sector comprises 72% of the city’s housing. Although the Council has an excellent record of improving private sector housing and bringing empty properties back into use there remain enclaves of poor condition, small terraced properties at risk of housing market failure which will require intervention from the Council.
3. Issues for Consideration
3.1 The current year (15/16) was the start of a 10 year agreement between the sector and government providing certainty on rents with increases set at CPI + 1% per annum. Our spending plans set out in the budget approval in February this year were based on this formula. However, 3 months into this policy this has been abandoned and replaced with the requirement for cash reductions in rent of 1% per annum for 4 years with the rent formula reverting to CPI + 1% in 2020/21. The impact of this reduction is to take out £33m over 4 years, £120.9m over 10 years and £527.5m over the 30 year business plan.
3.2 The overall benefit cap, currently set at £500 per week (£26k per year) for a working age household with children, will be reduced to £385 (£20k per year) outside London. The single person’s one is reduced from £350 per week (£18,200 per year) to £258 per week (£13,400 per year). Housing benefit is the first payment cut if a household is affected by the benefit cap. Individual circumstances will differ, but it is likely that couples with three children affected by the £20,000 cap will be entitled to housing benefit of just £51 a week. A couple with four children will not be entitled to any housing benefit at all.
3.3 The LGA estimates that £2.6bn will be lost to Local Authority HRAs over the next 4 years, 60% of all maintenance costs or enough to build 19,000 new homes.
3.4 Accurate data on household sizes and how many the benefits cap at this level will affect is not yet known, although we believe there to be at least 1100 tenants with 3 or more children who receive housing benefit. It is thought around two thirds could be affected.
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3.5 From April 2017 18-21 year olds submitting a new claim for UC will not be automatically entitled to receive the housing costs element (the equivalent of HB).
3.6 Tenants in social housing who earn more than £30,000 per year in household income, (or £40,000 per year in London), will be expected to pay market or near market rents. Local authorities will be expected to pay the extra money raised to the Exchequer to help with deficit reduction, (housing associations will be expected to reinvest the money to build more homes). Government will be consulting on the detail of this measure.
3.7 At this stage we have very little data as to how many people this may affect and how the £30,000 is calculated, but many households with 2 earners will earn this much. We do not yet know the detail of the government’s scheme including: • Who bears the cost of administration and data collection • Who bears the cost of bad debts • Exactly how the £30,000 will be calculated
3.8 Government will review the use of ‘lifetime tenancies’ for social housing with the aim of limiting their use and ensuring that best use is made of stock. Whilst this does not directly impact upon income it will increase costs and potentially churn in the HRA – all tenancies would need to be subject to ongoing review dependent upon the conclusion of the government’s review.
3.9 Local housing allowance will be frozen for four years from April 2016, along with both child and working tax credits and a number of other working age benefits, including jobseekers’ allowance (JSA), employment and support allowance (ESA), income support and child benefit.
3.10 The chancellor reiterated the government’s support for home ownership through measures such as the extension of the right to buy to housing association tenants and the creation of help to buy ISAs, which will be available to savers from December 2015. Additionally tax relief for buy to let landlords will be limited to the basic rate income tax.
3.11 Market rents for tenants earning over £30k is likely to accelerate the numbers of RTB applications. The proceeds from these sales (after administrative costs and an allowance for paying back debt) can only be used to support new build, and only 30% of the cost. If the local authority cannot use them to build new homes they have to be returned to the government.
3.12 Officers are currently considering the overall impact of these proposals – both for the HRA finances and housing policy. The proposals are likely to impact on strategic as well as landlord services. For example there are likely to be issues around increasing homelessness, especially around the under 22s and knock on effects for hostel providers unable to move on clients, and for larger families receiving benefit.
3.13 The Council has been successful in levering in funds for private sector renewal. Since 2011 £11.3m has been spent addressing the issues of run down private sector housing in the priority renewal areas of Newington and St Andrews and Newbridge Road. (£3m from the council and £8.3m of cluster of Empty Homes grant and CESP/ECO funding) 890 homes have been improved and 342 empty properties brought back into use. Recently a Author: Page 25 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 3 of 4 further £5.1m has been committed to deliver frontage improvements targeted in Waliker Street, Granville Street, Stirling Street, Escourt Street, Tyne and Dee Street. As previously announced a further £3.7m has also been secured to bring empty properties back into use over the next 3 years.
3.14 I am also aware that similar housing conditions and issues exist in streets in other parts of the city. Funding for these areas is not yet in place, however alongside completing the programme of work set out above I will be bringing forward the case for investment in ‘informal renewal areas’ so that these streets are prioritised for future funding.
4. Next steps
4.1 In the light of the recent government proposals I will be bringing forward a revised HRA Business Plan for 2016/17 for confirmation by Council in February 2016.
4.2 I will bring forward proposals for further investment in poor condition private sector housing in ‘informal renewal areas’ in the city.
John Black City Plan Enabler Council Infrastructure: (including Housing and Waste Management)
Contact Officer : Laura Carr Telephone No. : 01482614359
Officer Interests: None Background Documents: None
Author: Page 26 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 4 of 4 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
City Manager Presentation - Customer Services
People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission 24 September 2015
Andy Brown City Customer ServicesPage 27Manager of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Contact Centre
Page 28 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Changes in Service Demand • The number of calls at the start of the year shows a decrease in the volume of calls to the Contact Centre compared with the previous year. However the recent months has shown an increase. This increase is due to changes in the Waste service provision which resulted in a 70% increase in calls against the base month of February 2015. 2014 2015 % change Jan 98,655 76,893 -22 Feb 96,546 69,983 -28 Mar 101,835 80,973 -21 Apr 70,732 72,029 +2 May 68,591 69,095 +1 Jun 67,745 80,385 +16 July 75,674 82,527 +8 Aug 65,335 72,264 +9
Page 29 of 160 •
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Breakdown of Calls Received at Contact Centre Jun 15 – Aug ‘15
EDT June July Aug totals OOH Box office Business IVR Self serve 1% Box office 4129 4113 2464 10706 5% 1% 4% 1% Business 784 714 636 2134 CTax 8302 8442 7217 23961 CTax General 17816 18801 16061 52678 10% Homesearch 1477 1484 1486 4447 Auto Payments Registrars 2250 2034 1725 6009 13% Repairs 8750 8756 8020 25526 Welfare 5191 4850 4266 14307 Environmental 3370 3362 2946 9678 Waste General Transport 1393 1408 1239 4040 15% 22% Waste 13222 10914 10732 34868 Auto Payments 8792 11746 9922 30460 IVR Selfserve 3147 4116 3523 10786 OOH 1100 1102 1308 3510 Transport 2% EDT 662 685 719 2066 Welfare 6% Repairs 80385 82527 72264 235176 Envionmental 11% Homesearch 4% 2% Registrars 3%
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Call Centre Average Handling Times (AHTS)
AHTs (in mins) are falling due to improvement programme activities though again a slight increase in the last few months due to Waste issues and irate customers.
2014 2015 % Change Jan 6.01 5.83 -2.99 Feb 6.53 5.81 -11.02 Mar 7.45 5.80 -22.14 Apr 6.45 5.68 -12.00 May 6.38 5.88 -7.80 Jun 6.28 6.20 -1.30 July 6.40 6.16 -3.75 Aug 6.53 6.43 -1.5
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Contact Centre Performance • August 2014 – 52% of calls answered within 20 seconds • August 2015 – 43.6% of calls answered in 20 seconds (before exceptions) 72% (after exceptions) • August 2014 – Abandonment rate 8% • August 2015 – Abandonment rate 11% August performance in 2015 was severely affected by issues in the Waste dept. Waste calls increased by 70% in August (against base line February 2015) due to changes in service provision, staffing issues and increased monitoring of contaminated bins. We are working with waste to lessen the impact of service changes on the contact centre. One such method is to utilise Twitter to push out information.
Page 32 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
We continue to work with Serco to improve processes and the customer experience through • improved use of IVRs and queues •use of improved scripts for advisors •up-skilling advisors to be able to deal with broader range of call types. •process mapping to look at how handling times can be reduced •forward planning – dependant on HCC service areas providing information on service changes.
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Contact Centre Automated Customer Feedback Facility
• August 2015 – 2,346 customers opted to complete the automated satisfaction survey. Customers are asked to rate service on the following statements: 1= Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Not Sure, 4 = Agree & 5 = Strongly Agree Overall Satisfaction scores
Apr 15 May 15 June 15 July 15 August 15 Overall % Q1 – I found it easy to contact Hull City Council 4.00 3.81 3.72 3.6 3.66 75% today Q2 – The adviser who helped me today took care to fully 4.29 4.17 4.29 4.13 4.1 84% understand my needs Q3 – The adviser who helped me today dealt with my query 4.10 3.95 4.00 3.84 3.82 79% confidently Q4 – Overall I would rate my 4.12 3.96 4.00 3.83 3.82 80% experience today as positive Overall score for all 4.13 3.97 4.00 3.85 3.85 79% questions Page 34 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
CSC’s
Page 35 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Customer Services Opening Hours
The Wilson Kenworthy CSC Monday 9.00am - 4.30pm Monday – 9.00am – 4.30pm Tuesday 9.00am - 4.30pm Tuesday – 9.00am – 4.30pm Wednesday 11.00am - 4.30pm Wednesday – 9.00am – 4.30pm Thursday 9.00am - 4.30pm Thursday - 9.00am – 4.30pm Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm Friday – 9.00am – 4.30pm Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm Saturday – CLOSED
Holderness Rd Ings CSC Monday: 10am - 5pm Monday – 9.30am – 1.00pm Tuesday: 10am - 5pm Tuesday – 2.00pm – 6.00pm Wednesday: 10am - 6pm Wednesday, Thursday – CLOSED Thursday: 10am - 5pm Friday: 10am - 5pm Friday – 9.30am – 1.00pm Saturday: 10am - 1pm Saturday – CLOSED
The Orchard Centre Bransholme CSC Monday 9.00am - 4.30pm Monday - 9.00am – 4.30pm Tuesday 9.00am - 4.30pm Tuesday - 9.00am - 4.30pm Wednesday 11.00am - 4.30pm Wednesday - 11.00am – 4.30pm Thursday 9.00am - 4.30pm Thursday – 9.00am – 4.30pm Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm Friday – 9.00am – 4.30pm Saturday - 10.00am – 2.00pm Page 36 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Customer Services Centre Footfall:
Jan 15 Feb 15 Mar 15 Apr 15 May 15 Jun 15 Jul 15 Wilson Centre 13,869 13,274 15,622 12,063 12,417 13,103 12,195 Holderness CSC 2,809 2,622 3,013 2,875 3,365 3,829 3,135 Ings Road CSC 581 573 657 487 568 653 494 Bransholme CSC 6,249 6,128 6,868 7,248 6,466 7,318 7,039 Orchard Park CSC 4,906 4,601 4,794 5,549 5,311 6,034 5,000 Total 28,414 27,198 30,954 28,222 28,397 30,937 27,863 2014 (29,959) (30,802) (30,151) (29,756) (29,987) (31,361) (29,819)
Average Waiting Times (minutes): Wilson Centre * 13.2 11.1 11.6 12.1 13.2 16.0 18.3 Holderness CSC 9.9 7.2 8.0 6.7 6.8 6.3 6.4 Ings Road CSC 8.6 4.57 3.47 4.95 3.09 4.2 2.28 Bransholme CSC 14.79 9.3 10.45 8.9 10.3 9.76 8.4 Orchard Park CSC 5.3 5.3 5.6 3.8 4.9 2.9 3.9
Page 37 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Top 5 Service Customer Queries for January to July 2015
Contact Centre CSC’s General Enquiries 67,738 (31.75%) Housing Benefit Enquiry 40,321 (33.42%) Housing Repairs 39,598 (18.56%) Council Tax 13,512 (11.1%) Waste Collections 29,755 (13.94%) Homesearch 9,829 (8%) Council Tax 26,844 (12.58%) Housing 6,424 (6.2%) Welfare Advice 24,362 (11.41%) Rents 5,597 (4.5%)
•The nature of some queries can be very time consuming and complex in nature.
Page 38 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
REVENUES AND BENEFITS
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Commercial Partnership
° Partnership being progressed to deliver the Council’s Revenues and Benefits Service and establish a processing centre for external business ° Civica appointed as preferred bidder and due diligence work currently underway ° £4.9m savings over 7 years ° Existing staff to be Tupe transferred ° New contract due to commence from 1 November, 2015.
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Local Taxation
Page 41 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Council Tax Update
• Overall collection rate for CTax is up 0.05% at July 2015 compared with same time in previous year. • Projections based on this data indicate an outturn for 2015/16 of 93.67% in comparison to 93.6% last year
Council Tax Collection Rate 2014-15 & 2015-16
100.00%
90.00%
80.00%
70.00%
60.00% 2014/15 50.00% 2015-16 40.00%
30.00% Collection Rate Collection
20.00%
10.00%
0.00% Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Month Page 42 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Council Tax Update
• Number of summons for non-payment of Council Tax issued 2015/16 @ 17/8/15 = 10,883 against 6,950 at the same point last year.
• From April 2014 Council Tax Court Cost charges reduced from £80 to £30 if debtor pays full outstanding amount (plus the £30 costs), before the Court hearing. The minimum balance for a summons to be issued was also raised from £20 to £60.
• 1,830 Council Tax payers had their costs reduced under this scheme in 2014/15 and as at the 17/8/15 869 have in 2015/16.
• Recent analysis of 2,274 accounts where payment was received by the due date in 14/15, but where reminders have been sent this year established that 57% of those people were not on Council Tax Support and a further 36% were only receiving low levels of award. This seems to indicate that those on lower levels of benefit, and those not on benefit are struggling to pay their Council Tax this year, and not just those that had to start paying something for the first time .
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Business Rates Collection • In year collection rate down 0.08% compared with the same point in 2014.
NNDR Collection Rate 2014-2015 & 2015-2016
120.00%
100.00%
80.00%
2014/15 60.00% 2015-16
40.00% Collection Rate Collection
20.00%
0.00% Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Month
Page 44 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Benefits
Page 45 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Housing Benefits Speed of Processing and Live Caseload
Housing Benefits Speed of Processing and Live Caseload July 2014 – July 2015
40.00 39800
39600 35.00
39400 30.00 39200
25.00 39000 New Claims 20.00 38800 CIC's Caseload
38600 Caseload 15.00 Days toprocess Days 38400 10.00 38200
5.00 38000
0.00 37800 Jul-14 Aug-14 Sep-14 Oct-14 Nov-14 Dec-14 Jan-15 Feb-15 Mar-15 Apr-15 May-15 Jun-15 Jul-15 Month
Caseload: July 2015 July 2014 38,576 Page 39,645 46 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) to 26 th January 2015
• The 2015/16 budget for DHP provided by the DWP has been reduced by £120K(15%) to £681K compared with 2014/15.
• The 2015/16 budget for DHP is £681K. To date in 15/16 there have been 1,284 claims awarded compared with 1,398 at the same point in 2014. Budget paid and committed = £538.5K
• As at 17/8/15 the budget remaining is £142.5K.
• 61% of cases paid are related to the “bedroom tax” (with broader debt issues),32% are other debt issues and 7% were awarded due to other changes in circumstances and short term issues, i.e. non-dependant deductions, rent in advance.
• The budget for the next year may not be advised until February, 2016.
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Local Assistance Scheme
In 2014/15 the budget was £1,481,500 programme funding and £286,946 administrative funding, there were 7,475 applications for Crisis Loans with 81% awards approved totalling £355,775. In 2014/15, there were 1,578 applications for Community Support Grants with 48% awards approved totalling £611,104. There is no government funding for 2015/16, which is being funded by a carry forward from 2013/14 and 2014/15. There is currently no funding for 2016/17. The table below provides the year to date information at 17/8/15
2015/16 Applications Refusals Awards % of Total Value of Average per Applications Awards Award Agreed £ £ Community 2,588 537 2051 79 121,250 59.12 Crisis Loans*
Community 604 324 280 46 159,458 569.49 Support Grants
Total 3,192 861 2,331 73 280,708 120.42
Turnaround time for Crisis Loans arePage generally 48 of 160 within 24 hours and Grants within 8 days. Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Hull Advice / Anti Poverty
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Hull Advice / Anti Poverty Update • Hull Advice achieved £9,739,952 for clients in year from August, 2014 to July, 2015. • The service is being restructured to achieve £300K budget savings from 2015/16 • Future delivery models for the service are being considered for the service including establishing as Social Enterprise, outsourcing to the third sector. This will be subject to a report to Cabinet. • Hull Peoples Premium Service – formally launched in March 2015, already over 3,000 members and 2 main anti poverty campaigns delivered covering food and fuel savings: featuring the city’s first Augmented Reality poster promotion. • Affordable Food Initiatives – An affordable food model is currently being considered making low cost quality food more affordable for those on a low income. • Community Development Finance Initiative (CDFI ) – A detailed report into options for a new affordable credit provider in the city has been delivered and options evaluated.
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Service Development
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Customer Enablement and Empowerment Programme • Significant technical preparatory work has been completed as part of the development of the Council’s new website. A new design is due in December 2015, with sufficient content updated thereafter for a release it to the public in Feb 2016.
• The Customer Account is now ‘live’, following a “soft launch” and during the first 3 months 1,400 people signed up for the account. It currently offers 47 on-line forms with auto-population of name and address details when signed-in, plus a single view of all on-line transactions for the user. Links to making payments, appointments, using maps and an interface with the CRM system are due by the end of the year.
• PwC have commenced the development of a ‘ Detailed Business Case ’ to inform the longer term plan in July 2015 and are due to report in November 2015 following in-depth investigatory work.
• Work is progressing developing the new Customer Journey utilising greater self service facilities.
• Under the ‘Enabling’ work streams, residents have been invited to take part in home broadband pilot scheme in Orchard Park - scheduled to begin in October 2015. The tender for free Wi-Fi for the City will be released by w/c 21 September 2015 and in place by Autumn 2016.
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Questions
Page 53 of 160
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Page 54 of 160
Briefing Note to th e People & Communities Overview & Scrutiny Commission
Thursday 16 September 2015
Food, Fuel and Finance – Credit and Savings Theme
Briefing Note of the City Customer Services Manager
1. Purpose of the Briefing Note and Summary
1.1 At the 18 November 2013 meeting of the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission it was agreed that the recommendations of the Anti-Poverty Task and Finish Panel report be grouped into themes and be included in the Commission’s future work programme.
1.2 The purpose of the briefing note is to provide further details and allow discussion on the implementation of the recommendations contained within the Credit and Savings Theme.
2. Background Information
2.1 Cabinet considered the final report of the Anti-Poverty Task and Finish Panel at their meeting held 28 October 2013, with a covering report that detailed potential implications of implementation and agreed that implementation of all recommendations be monitored by the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission.
2.2 A progress report was considered at the 19 May 2014 Cabinet meeting and a further update was provided at the November, 2014 Cabinet.
2.3 The People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission have received regular updates at each monthly meeting on implementation of the recommendations during City Manager Presentations and specific agenda items.
2.4 The recommendations to be considered under the Credit and Savings theme are:
° To investigate further the potential for a white good voucher pilot scheme. ° To review whether there is a means of making affordable finance available for those who are unable to access the Credit Union. ° City Plan Project – Update on Jam Jar Accounts (Appendix 3)
2.5 Included at Appendix 1-2 is an update on how each recommendation is progressing including any action taken, any known outcomes achieved and key dates. If progress is not being made reasons are also provided.
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3. Conclusions and Next Steps
3.1 The Commission should determine whether it is content with the information at Appendix 1-2 or whether it would require any additional information. If the Commission feels value can be added by considering the matter further the Commission is kindly asked to give a clear instruction regarding the information it would require, and the outcomes it expects to achieve.
Andy Brown, City Customer Services Manager
Contact Officer: Cherie Wiles Telephone No. : 01482 615019
Officer Interests: - None Background Documents: - Anti-Poverty Action Plan
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Appendix 1
To investigate further the potential for a white goods voucher pilot scheme.
In order to create better access to white goods and other household items a package is needed for the consumer that gives product options along with a source of affordable credit.
Several businesses with local branches offer to provide both the goods and also the credit facility but the cost of the associated credit is generally high. Other schemes offer a limited range of goods from one supplier along with a credit offer from a partner lender. The Smarterbuy scheme operates nationally on this basis. The Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union ran a scheme in which loans were offered for a set of white good essentials provided by the Co-op. However, there is a section of the market in Hull that cannot access credit anywhere apart from high cost options such as Brighthouse. This is generally because they have low incomes or other debt which increases their assessed risk and makes them ineligible, even for providers such as the Credit Union.
It may be possible for the authority to buy white goods in bulk at a discounted price and sell them on to qualifying members of the public but this is likely to be problematic for practical and legal reasons. An alternative would be to create an opportunity for a new product which provides the package of goods and credit by working with a new lender as part of the affordable finance initiative outlined below.
Officer: Lisa Bovill (Welfare Rights Manager)
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Appendix 2
To review whether there is a means of making affordable finance available for those who are unable to access the Credit Union.
We have commissioned a detailed report into this matter which has provided a clear set of options, backed up by research into the potential market in Hull and consultation with existing providers both locally and nationally.
These options are as follows:
1. Do nothing . The scale of over-indebtedness in Hull and cost of this to the local economy suggests that action is needed. 2. Set up a new credit facility for the Hull market . This will be difficult because of the resource involved in becoming registered with the Financial Conduct Agency and the current difficulty in accessing enough finance to cover loan capital as well as start up costs. 3. Encouraging an existing Hull based Community Development Finance Initiative (CDFI) to expand its services . There are two CDFIs in Hull at the moment but they only lend to businesses. Neither would be willing to provide credit to individuals unless they receive funding to do so. 4. Encourage the Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union to lend to higher risk individuals . The Credit Union has indicated an unwillingness to do so. 5. To work with an existing non local CDFI to enable them to expand into Hull. This would represent no cost and a number of CDFIs have indicated that they would be prepared to do this and would work together with local agencies in order to design and deliver products specifically for the Hull market. 6. To replicate the Sheffield Money model . This new delivery model has become operational within the last month and has received positive media attention. It already has a healthy customer base. The model brings together a range of financial services including loans and current accounts and offers a broker service to ensure that each customer is matched with the best products available to them. The model is based on a strong business case but would need initial investment. A template for the creation of a Hull Money model could be made available and would reduce the time and cost involved in setting the model up.
These options will be outlined in a report for consideration by CST and Cabinet in order to reach an agreement on how to proceed.
Officer: Lisa Bovill (Welfare Rights Manager)
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Appendix 3
City Plan Project – Update on Jam Jar Accounts
The Neighbourhoods and Housing Service has worked in partnership with the Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union to develop a new product aimed at supporting council tenants to manage their rent payments under Universal Credit. The new accounts offer two options for council tenants, at no charge to the customer:
“Rent Direct” Account – The Rent Direct option allows customers to arrange to ring fence their monthly rent payment from their salary or Universal Credit payment, which is then paid direct to Hull City Council. The advantage for tenants is that they don’t run the risk of incurring bank charges or penalties, a pitfall associated with traditional banks. Tenants will also have peace of mind that what is left in their account is theirs to spend, aiding budgeting over a monthly period. There is no charge to council tenants that elect this option.
“Jam jar” account – The Jam Jar option allows customers to arrange to pay a number of bills each month, assisting them to budget if they receive their income monthly. There is a small monthly administration cost that is payable by the customer. The benefit of this option is that key bills are paid automatically, assisting the customer to manage their money without the risk of falling behind or incurring bank charges associated with failed direct debits.
The first “Rent Direct” customer opened their account in July 2015. The publicity materials are currently being tested with clients of “Hull Families”, a local charity with an established track record of working with families in the city that often have issues with debts and money management.
A training programme for Council staff is being developed, and the initial focus of promotion of the product will be in the Northern area of the city. The aim is that the products will be well established and tested in advance of Universal Credit arriving in the city (February 2016) and will be options that can be actively promoted by staff.
Although initially aimed at council tenants, non council tenants will be able to access these products but will need to pay the associated costs themselves. Other landlords in the area may be interested in funding the transaction costs on behalf of their tenants in light of the issues arising from Universal Credit.
Officer: Ria Toutountzi (Practice Manager)
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Page 60 of 160
Briefing Paper to the People and Communities Overview Wards : All and Scrutiny Commission
24 September 2015
Green space loss and compensation
Briefing Paper of the City Planning Manager
1. Purpose of the Paper and Summary
1.1 This report is in response to the Commission’s request on 23 July 2015 for a briefing paper to explain “how the Council deals with the splitting up of compensatory green space, the amount of green space the Council has lost, and how much they have recouped in compensatory greenspace or financial gain in the last 12 months.”
1.2 The Background section to this paper outlines the current planning policy. The Issues for Consideration section outlines green space losses with particular focus on the period between 2012 and 2014. The Next Stages section outlines potential changes to planning policy which the Council is consulting on.
2. Background
2.1 Planning law requires that applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. For most of the city, the current development plan is the Local Plan, adopted in 2000. (The current exceptions being the Newington & St Andrews and the Holderness Road Corridor areas, which have separate adopted plans, and Kingswood, which will have a new plan submitted to the Government Inspector in October.)
2.2 The Local Plan (2000) designates 376 green space sites, covering 1502 hectares. This is one fifth the area of the city. The Plan contains a number of policies that either protect these green spaces, or require new green space as part of new development. For the purposes of this report, the most notable policies are as follows:
Policy NE1 – designated greenspace sites should not be lost if it results in:
loss of sporting or recreation facilities;
Author:Philip Reese Page 61 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 1 of 29
an adverse effect on nature;
the loss of a link between other Urban Greenspaces; or
an adverse effect on the amenity or character of an area, in particular the loss of
an important view or sense of openness.
Policy NE3 – the development of greenspace sites will be allowed if an overriding justification is demonstrated . In such cases it will be necessary to compensate , by either: replacing it within the locality with a site or equivalent community benefit; or
improving an existing greenspace within the locality to provide equivalent community benefit.
2.3 The text around Policy NE3 explains that development on a greenspace might be acceptable when the proposed development has overriding environmental, social or economic benefits. It also explains that when compensation is required, the improvement of existing open space would typically be chosen when there are no opportunities for creating new open space in the locality.
2.4 It should be noted that compensatory green space is often best located on land not owned or controlled by the developer. In those cases, the developer pays a financial sum (known as Section 106) to the Council for it to do the necessary improvements.
2.5 In addition to compensatory greenspace, Policy NE6 requires residential development to provide new green space. This is calculated at 60sqm per dwelling. For smaller developments the greenspace is best delivered off-site, and so the developer would pay a S.106 financial contribution. This is currently at £1088 per dwelling, plus £271 per child bed space. Meaning a 3 bed house would cost £1630 and a 4 bed house £1901
2.6 When relevant, the above planning policies are applied to development proposals in Hull. However, the decision maker needs to balance them against a large number of other local and national policy considerations.
3. Issues for Consideration
3.1 The Council does not have the systems in place to routinely monitor planning applications for green space loss/compensation. However, actual green space losses can be measured relatively easily by analysing aerial photographs. The Council has aerial photos taken every two to three years, usually in the summer months. The first set was taken in 2000 and the most recent was taken in 2014. All 376 green space sites from the Local Plan have been compared against the aerial photos. Appendix A lists the sites against their status in 2000 (when the plan was adopted) and in 2014. Although there have been some changes, it is clear
Author:Philip Reese Page 62 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 2 of 29 that the majority of sites have not changed significantly in the period since the plan’s adoption.
3.2 The Commission asked for a list of green space losses in the last 12 months. Using the aerial photo technique we can provide a list of losses over 2 years (2012 to 2014). These are listed in Appendix B. The table summarises how much green space has been lost due to new development, and what compensation measures have been required through planning. The majority of cases relate to schools expanding their buildings and/or car parks. In most of these cases, the planning officer has determined that the area of lost green space is too small to be a material consideration, or that the new development represents an overall enhancement to the school facilities and is therefore acceptable without any additional form of compensation.
3.3 The two big areas of change are the former Hull FC Boulevard Stadium and the former Reckitts Sports Ground on Chamberlain Road. The Stadium site is now Boulevard Academy, which contains more green space than the Stadium did, so it represents a net gain. The Reckitts Ground will lose 4.3 hectares of playing pitches to housing development. As compensation, the remainder of the site is being restored with new changing facilities and car park, and the developers are paying £50k towards its upkeep plus £130k towards the improvement of Pelican Park. The enhanced greenspace will also be made publicly accessible which wasn’t the case with the Reckitt’s ground. Although this is a net loss in green space, on balance it was considered the best way to secure the provision of high quality sports facilities on a site that was in bad repair.
3.4 As part of a wider plan for regenerating the Orchard Park estate, major changes are planned for its green space provision. An Extracare facility is currently under construction on one green space site, but it is understood that the landscaping that it provides will mean that there is no net loss. Another scheme for 178 dwellings on green space sites 159 and 161 is currently going through the planning process. It will involve the loss of 3.5 ha of green space but the applicant is confirming that this will be replaced by improving other suitable sites in the locality.
3.5 The loss of 540 sqm of greenspace at the Fire Brigade HQ, Summergroves Way, due to a new car park, required a Section 106 contribution as compensation. The required sum was calculated by using the same values used for calculating residential green space requirements (see Policy NE6, above).
3.6 As Appendix B (2012 to 2014) only provides a limited number of examples, Appendix C provides a wider summary of significant S.106 agreements negotiated in the last ten years. This includes contributions for new green space (as required by Policy NE6), as well as compensatory green space (as required by Policy NE3). This should help give Members a fuller picture of the S.106 system as it has operated in the city, as well as an indication of some of the complexities than can arise when negotiating greenspace/S.106 requirements.
4. Next steps
4.1 The Council is currently preparing a new Local Plan to supersede the one
Author:Philip Reese Page 63 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 3 of 29 adopted in 2000. The intention is to replace all the policies outlined above with new policies. The Preferred Options stage of the new Local Plan has been approved by Cabinet and is due to go out for public consultation for 6 weeks, starting 12 October 2015.
4.2 The draft policy that aims to protect open space sites is as follows:
Existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, should not be built on unless:
a) An assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, buildings or land to be surplus to requirements, including consideration of population growth over the plan period. The assessment should fully consider the potential to re-use the site to address deficits for all types of open space in the area; or b) The loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or c) The development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the needs for which clearly outweigh the loss.
4.3 The policy has been written to be compliant with the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It aims to protect green/open space sites that are needed, or to secure appropriate compensatory green space. Unlike Policy NE3, however, it does not require an overriding justification to be demonstrated before a greenspace can be developed.
As part of the consultation exercise, the Preferred Options version of the Local Plan will be presented to the Area Committees in the autumn for their comments.
Alex Codd City Planning Manager
Contact Officers: Philip Reese (Planning Policy) Telephone No. : x2362 Keith Griffiths (S.106) Telephone No. : x2389
Officer Interests: None
Background Documents: -
• Hull Local Plan (Adopted, 2000) • Hull Local Plan (Preferred Options Consultation, 2015) • National Planning Policy Framework (2012)
Author:Philip Reese Page 64 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 4 of 29 Appendix A: All greenspace sites designated in the Local Plan (2000) and their physical status in 2000 and 2014
ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 1 Mudflats south of Clive Other 19.1 Exists No change Sullivan Way 2 Land north of railway line Other 1.0 Exists although no clear No change boundary from aerial photo 3 Plantation east of Priory Way Other 1.8 Exists No change 4 Land surrounding Fire Other 1.0 Exists Loss of approx. 0.07ha due to new car park and Brigade HQ, Summergroves training rig. Way 5 Land south of Hull Road Amenity area 1.1 Exists No change 6 Land south of Benedict Road Amenity area 0.3 Exists No change 7 Land opposite Fire Brigade Amenity area 0.5 Exists No change HQ 8 Land south of Tilbury Road Amenity area 1.1 Exists No change 9 Land north of Tilbury Road Amenity area 3.6 Exists No change 10 Land south of Burnham Road Amenity area 0.4 Exists No change 11 Land north of Burnham Road Amenity area 3.7 Exists Site of Christopher Pickering Academy. Now 1.7ha, net loss 2ha 12 Land east of Gower Road Amenity area 0.7 Exists No change 13 Gower Road playing field Public playing 3.9 Exists No change field/play area 14 Strip south of Boothferry Amenity area 2.2 Exists No change Road, west of Anlaby Park Road South 15 Strip north of Boothferry Amenity area 1.7 Exists No change Road, west of Anlaby Park Road North 16 St. Thomas More Primary Educational 1.0 Exists No change School grounds 17 Rokeby Primary School Educational 0.8 Exists No change grounds 18 Costello Park Public park 25.7 Exists No change 19 Land north of Boothferry Amenity area 1.7 Exists No change Road, west of Anlaby Park Road North 20 Land south of Boothferry Amenity area 2.3 Exists No change Road, east of Anlaby Park Road South Author:Philip Reese Page 65 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 5 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 21 Land at Fiveways Amenity area 0.7 Exists No change roundabout 22 Pickering Road allotments Allotment 4.3 Exists No change 23 Kingston Lower School Education grounds 5.1 Exists Remodelled. Now Sirius Academy. Net loss approx 1.3ha 24 Kingston Upper/Bethune Education grounds 9.6 Exists No change School 25 Pickering Park Public park 24.3 Exists No change 26 Gipsyville allotments Allotment 2.2 Exists No change 27 Land surrounded by The Amenity area 0.5 Exists No change Greenway 28 Francis Askew Primary Educational 8.9 Exists No change School grounds 29 Amy Johnson School Educational 7.8 Exists Lost to housing development. Net loss approx 5.7ha grounds 30 Hull City F.C. training Private pitch 0.7 Exists Housing development - lost. ground, rear of Sledmere Grove 31 Land surrounded by Coxwold Amenity area 0.3 Exists (in poor condition) Loss of 0.23ha to housing - small area of AGS left Grove 32 Hull City F.C. ground Private pitch 0.9 Exists Housing development - lost. 33 Land west of Hamlyn Drive Allotment 1.0 Exists No change 34 Eastfield Primary School Educational 2.0 Exists No change grounds 35 Anlaby Park library grounds Amenity area 0.9 Exists No change 36 Lee's Rest House grounds Amenity area 0.9 Exists No change 37 Land at the junction of Amenity area 0.4 Exists No change Anlaby Road and Calvert Lane 38 Front of Trinity House Rest Amenity area 1.4 Exists No change Homes 39 Smith and Nephew playing Private pitch 1.4 Exists No change field 40 Rear of Trinity House Rest Private pitch 4.5 Land to rear in rough state No change Homes with new houses under construction in the centre 41 Trinity House playing field Private pitch 3.5 Exists Land in a rough disused state 42 Dismantled railway junction, Other 4.1 Exists No change east of Calvert Lane
Author:Philip Reese Page 66 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 6 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 43 Dismantled railway west of Other 3.3 Exists No change Calvert Lane 44 Dunston Road playground Public playing 1.1 Exists No change field/play area 45 Ainthorpe Primary School Eduacational 1.6 Exists 0.1 ha in eastern corner lost to car parking grounds 46 Springhead playing fields, Other 3.4 Exists No change pumping station and adjoining land 47 Land between Springhead Public playing 3.8 Exists No change golf course and Willerby field/play area Road 48 Springhead golf Golf course 10.0 Exists No change course/bowling greens 49 Wold Primary School Educational 3.5 Exists No change grounds 50 Education Centre Coronation Educational 1.3 Exists Green space increased as building demolished Road North grounds 51 Land to rear of Coventry Amenity area 0.3 Exists No change Road 52 Land to east of Bristol Road Amenity area 0.5 Exists No change 53 Land surrounded by Bristol Amenity area 1.0 Exists No change Road 54 Land to the north of Bristol Amenity area 0.9 Exists No change Road 55 Land to the rear of Danube Amenity area 0.4 Exists No change Road and south of Hove Road 56 Willerby Road allotments Allotment 3.5 Exists No change 57 Calvert Road allotments Allotment 1.9 Exists No change 58 Celandine Close Playground Public playing 0.3 Exists No change field/play area 59 Derringham School Educational 3.0 Exists No change grounds 60 Land to the north of Clive Other 4.2 Exists No change Sullivan Way 61 Newington Primary School Educational 1.0 Exists 0.14 ha lost to new building and car park grounds 62 Playground north of Swanella Public playing 0.7 Exists Lost to housing development
Author:Philip Reese Page 67 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 7 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo Grove and Onyx Grove field/play area 63 Land between Westbourne Public playing 0.4 Exists Lost to housing but creation of a 0.1ha pocket park Street and Springburn Street field/play area 64 Edinburgh Street Community Amenity area 0.4 Exists No change Centre grounds 65 Massey Street Recreation Public playing 6.2 Exists No change Ground field/play area 66 Chiltern Primary School Educational 0.4 Exists 0.06ha lost to car park (New STP to north) grounds 67 Hull Rugby Football Club Private pitch 1.1 Exists Now Boulevard Academy. 2ha of playing fields, so net ground gain. 68 Land between Massey Close Public playing 0.5 Exists Site in poor condition; Allocated for housing in NaSA and Dorado/Sirius Close field/play area AAP 69 Land east of Wellsted Street Public playing 0.3 Exists although appears to No change field/play area include residential back yards to north and south. 70 Constable Primary School Educational 0.5 Exists School demolished and site grassed over; Allocated grounds for housing in NaSA AAP. Site exists as 0.56ha of public green space. 71 Adelaide Primary School Educational 1.0 Exists 0.1ha lost to new buildings grounds 72 Villa Rugby Club, Walker Private pitch 0.5 Exists Now Octagon centre. Allotments to north and STP to Street south. 73 Land north of the Coxswain Amenity area 0.3 Exists No change P.H., Walker Street 74 Great Thornton Street Public playing 0.8 Exists No change playground field/play area 75 Hull Royal Infirmary, land Private grounds 0.4 Exists No change fronting onto Anlaby Road 76 Land north of railway line Amenity area 0.5 Exists No change between St. Georges Road and Walliker Street 77 Arthur Street playground Public playing 0.3 Exists No change field/play area 78 Land between Wheeler Public playing 0.5 Exists 0.04ha lost to car parking Street / Hawthorn Avenue field/play area (north end) 79 Hull College, Riley Centre Educational 3.3 Exists No change grounds (south) grounds
Author:Philip Reese Page 68 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 8 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 80 Priory cycle track, south of Other 1.2 Exists No change Spring Bank West 81 Land to rear of Spring Bank Allotment 1.0 Site disused Housing development underway - however a similar West/Alliance Avenue size piece of land will be retained as public open space 82 Pulman Street play area Public playing 0.3 Exists No change field/play area 83 Land north of West Park Other 4.0 Exists Site no longer green 84 West Park Public park & 14.8 Exists New fitness building and STP to the north 85 Circle cricket ground Private pitch 7.4 Exists Now KC Stadium 86 Land to the east of the Circle Allotment 4.1 Exists Site now rough grass cricket ground 87 Strip of land north of Circle Other 1.5 Site in rough condition Site now part of site 85 cricket ground 88 Hymers College grounds Educational 12.8 Exists New sports facilities expanded east over parts of 89 grounds & and 373 89 Land to rear of Hymers Allotment 1.1 Disused Site now belt of trees, Hymers sports pitches, and car Avenue parking 90 Land to the north of Amenity area 1.4 Exists No change Alexandra Street 91 Collingwood Primary School Educational 0.6 Exists No change grounds 92 Land to the east of Freehold Amenity area 0.2 Exists No change Street 93 Vane Street playground Public playing 0.8 Exists No change field/play area 94 Land south of Liddell Street Amenity area 0.9 Exists No change 95 St Charles Roman Catholic Educational 0.4 Exists No change Primary School grounds 96 Land south of Brunswick Amenity area 0.7 Half of site is car park No change Avenue 97 Clifton Primary School Educational 1.1 Exists Northern end of site changed to natural green space grounds 98 Waterloo Street play area Public playing 1.1 Exists No change field/play area 99 Land north of Hutt Street Public playing 0.9 Exists No change field/play area 100 General Cemetery, Spring Cemetery 9.8 Exists No change Bank West
Author:Philip Reese Page 69 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 9 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 101 Western Cemetery, Cemetery 7.9 Exists No change Chanterlands Avenue 102 Land surrounded by railway, Other 1.1 Exists No change east of Woodgate Road 103 Priory cycle track, north of Other 1.1 Exists No change Spring Bank West 104 Stelrad Ideal Grounds Private pitch 0.3 Exists No change 105 Perth Street allotments Allotment 2.9 Exists No change 106 Richmond Street allotments Allotment 0.7 Exists No change 107 Land to the south of Ella Amenity area 0.7 Exists No change Street and north of Victoria Avenue 108 Pearson Park Public park 9.8 Exists No change 109 Land to the south of Queens Amenity area 0.4 Exists No change Road 110 Fenchurch Street Park Public playing 0.9 Exists Fenchurch Children's Centre built on hardstanding field/play area area (approx 0.15ha) 111 Dismantled low level railway Other 1.0 Exists No change line 112 Newland St. John's C.E. Educational 3.0 Exists No change Primary School grounds 113 Hull Grammar School Educational 1.6 Exists Lost to housing grounds 114 Newland and Edgecumbe Allotment 8.8 Exists 0.6 ha in SE corner converted to playing fields for Street allotments school 115 Goddard Avenue, land to Amenity area 0.9 Exists No change south 116 British Rail sports ground, off Private pitch 2.8 Exists Potential housing site on Preferred Options Local Plan Chanterlands Avenue 117 Hull and East Riding sports Private pitch 2.4 Exists No change ground 118 Land to the west of Ella Cemetery 0.6 Exists No change Street 119 Land to the rear of Huntley Other 1.4 Exists No change Drive 120 Golf driving range, National Golf course 5.4 Exists No change Avenue 121 National Avenue allotments Allotment 2.6 Exists No change 122 Ideal Standard playing field, Private pitch 3.6 Exists No change
Author:Philip Reese Page 70 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 10 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo Bontoft Avenue 123 Bricknell playing field, south Public playing 5.4 Exists No change of Cropton Road field/play area 124 Land to rear of Cropton Road Other 3.3 Exists No change 125 Appleton Primary School Educational 2.1 Exists Loss of approx 140sqm to car park grounds 126 Cycle track adjacent to Other 1.1 Exists No change William Gee School 127 William Gee School Educational 6.0 Exists School demolished. Playing fields now used by Kelvin grounds Hall School 128 Kelvin Hall School/ Wyke 6th Educational 6.6 Exists New buildings but no net loss Form College grounds grounds 129 Bricknell Primary School Educational 1.6 Exists No change grounds 130 Y.P.I. Recreation Centre, Private pitch 5.6 Exists New carparking reduce green space by about 0.35 ha Chanterlands Avenue 131 Kenilworth Avenue playing Public playing 1.1 Exists No change fields field/play area 132 Public footpath west of Other 0.5 Exists No change National Avenue 133 Albert Cottage allotments Allotment 2.4 Exists No change 134 Northern Cemetery, Cemetery 22.1 Exists No change Chanterlands Avenue 135 Land to the rear of Linkfield Amenity area 0.4 Unsure Converted to back gardens Road 136 Golf Links Road allotments Allotment 3.6 Exists Lost to housing 137 Hall Road School Educational 3.0 Exists 0.4 ha lost to new building and car parking in southern grounds edge 138 King George's playing field, Public playing 5.2 Exists No change Cottingham Road field/play area 139 University of Humberside, Educational 1.5 Most of site is a car park No change Cottingham Road grounds 140 Newland Girls/Teskey King & Educational 9.0 Exists No change Frederick Holmes School grounds playing fields 141 University of Hull grounds Educational 2.1 Exists No change grounds 142 University of Hull, land Educational 0.6 Exists No change fronting onto Cottingham grounds
Author:Philip Reese Page 71 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 11 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo Road 143 Newland Homes grounds Private grounds 0.7 Exists No change 144 Endsleigh Convent grounds Educational 0.5 Exists No change grounds 145 St Nicholas Primary School Educational 2.0 Exists Housing development underway - loss of approx 1.4 grounds ha 146 University of Humberside, Educational 1.0 Site appears to be Lost to housing Inglemire Avenue grounds concrete / tarmac 147 St Mary's College grounds, Educational 0.6 Exists New school building - loss of approx 0.2ha Inglemire Avenue grounds 148 St Mary's College grounds, Educational 9.7 Exists 0.44ha lost to new building / car park Cranbrook Avenue grounds 149 Marist playing fields Educational 4.2 Exists No change grounds 150 University of Hull sports Educational 15.4 Exists No change ground grounds 151 Humberside Police sports Private pitch 4.7 Exists No change ground 152 Fifth Avenue Primary School Educational 2.4 Exists Site reconfigured with new school building. No net loss grounds 153 Ada Holmes Circle, south Amenity area 0.4 Exists No change side 154 Ada Holmes Circle, north Amenity area 0.4 Part of site built on - loss of No change side 0.28ha 155 Land surrounded by Green Amenity area 0.4 Exists No change Close 156 Holy Name Roman Catholic Educational 0.5 Exists No change Primary School grounds 157 Court Park Primary School Educational 1.5 Exists Approx 0.2ha lost to new building / car park grounds grounds 158 Land to the south of Amenity area 0.8 Exists No change Quillcourt 159 Land to the east of Axdane, Amenity area 2.1 Exists Subject to planning application for housing Bondane, Caldane, and 15/00788/FULL Dibsdane 160 Danepark Primary School Educational 1.5 Exists School demolished; site derelict. Potential housing site grounds on Preferred Options Local Plan 161 Land to the south of Isledane Amenity area 1.5 Exists Subject to planning application for housing 15/00788/FULL
Author:Philip Reese Page 72 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 12 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 162 Land south of Ashthorpe Amenity area 0.8 Tower block on 0.16 ha of No change site 163 Land south of Dodthorpe Amenity area 1.6 Exists Housing development and Extracare facility - loss of approx 0.95ha 164 Thorpepark Primary School Educational 1.4 Exists 0.09ha lost to car park grounds 165 Shaw Park Primary School Educational 1.3 Exists School demolished. Site now a public park grounds 166 Land to the north of Amenity area 0.6 Exists No change Palmcourt 167 Foredyke Stream cycle track Other 1.1 Exists No change - south of Chapman Street 168 River Hull (including banks) Other 45.3 Exists No change 169 Beverley and Barmston Drain Other 19.6 Exists No change 170 Needlers sports ground, Private pitch 1.2 Exists Site in v poor condition Stepney Lane 171 Land south of Sculcoates Cemetery 1.2 Exists No change Lane, west of Air Street 172 Dismantled railway south of Other 0.3 Site not green Lost to industrial uses. Sculcoates Lane 173 Dismantled railway west of Other 0.8 Exists No change disused Sculcoates Power Station 174 Land east of Bournemouth Cemetery 1.7 Exists No change Street 175 Land north of the junction of Cemetery 0.4 Exists No change Air Street and Bankside 176 Land south of Ashendon Amenity area & 1.6 Exists No change Drive and Brackley Close 177 Foredyke Stream cycle track Other 2.5 Exists No change - south of Chamberlain Road 178 Reckitts Sports ground, Private pitch 7.9 Exists Part of site now Dove House Hospice grounds. Chamberlain Road Southern portion of site housing development - loss of approx 4.3ha. Remainder will be restored as playing fields. 179 Foredyke stream cycle track Other 2.5 Exists No change - north of Chamberlain Road 180 Land off Mayville Avenue Amenity area 0.6 Exists No change 181 Lamorna Avenue Allotments Allotment 2.0 Exists No change
Author:Philip Reese Page 73 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 13 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 182 Rockford Fields Public playing 10.5 Exists 2.68ha lost to housing development. Remainder of site field/play area now Local Nature Reserve. 183 Land to north of Rix Road Amenity area 0.7 Exists No change 184 British Gas playing fields Private pitch 2.2 Exists (in poor condition) Loss of 1.4 ha to new police station. 185 Oak Road/ Clough Road Allotment 6.0 Exists No change allotments 186 Land to south of Oak Road Other 3.2 Exists No change playing fields 187 Oak Road playing fields Public playing 28.5 Exists (nature area being No change field/play area & created in eastern corner) 188 Endike School Educational 3.7 Exists Site now public park with new school playing fields grounds created. Net gain. 189 Princess Elizabeth playing Public playing 11.4 Exists North part of site now Thomas Ferens Academy. Net fields field/play area loss of approx 1.8ha 190 Land north of Coronet Close Amenity area 0.3 Exists No change 191 Strip of land north of Amenity area 0.2 Exists No change Evergreen Drive 192 Strip of land between Train Amenity area 0.9 Exists No change and Tarran Avenues 193 Parkstone Primary School Educational 0.9 Exists (buildings on 0.12ha No change grounds of site) 194 Haworth Park playing fields, Private pitch 4.0 Exists Potential housing site on Preferred Options Local Plan Wadsworth Avenue 195 Land east of Oxenhope Road Public playing 0.3 Exists No change field/play area 196 Haworth Hall, Wadsworth Private grounds 4.2 Exists No change Avenue 197 Yorkshire Water balancing Other 4.2 Exists No change reservoir 198 Poplar Plantation Other 4.6 Exists No change 199 Ennerdale playing fields Public playing 11.4 Exists No change field/play area & 200 Land east of Ennerdale Link Amenity area 2.0 Exists No change Road 201 St Andrews C.E. Primary Educational 1.5 Exists No change School Educational Grounds grounds 202 Land north of The Croft, Other 11.1 Exists No change Ennerdale 203 Bude Road allotments Allotment 2.4 Exists No change
Author:Philip Reese Page 74 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 14 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 204 Foredyke Stream (west) Other 3.4 Exists No change 205 Bude Road playing fields Educational 10.0 Exists No change (north) grounds 206 Bude Road playing fields Public playing 6.7 Exists No change (south) field/play area 207 Bude Road Primary School Educational 1.5 Exists No change grounds 208 Land to south of Padstow Amenity area 0.4 Exists No change Close 209 Northcott School Educational 1.2 Exists (building on 0.02ha) Loss of 0.22ha lost to car parks. grounds 210 Land west of Holwell Road Amenity area 9.6 Exists No change 211 Land at the junction of Bude Other 3.3 Exists No change Road and Wawne Road 212 Land east of Cumbrian Way Amenity area 11.9 Exists No change 213 Broadacre Primary School Educational 0.8 Exists No change grounds 214 Land to the west of Moorfoot Public playing 0.9 Exists No change Close field/play area 215 Land to the south of Amenity area 0.7 Exists No change Grampian Way shopping centre 216 The Dales Primary School Educational 4.0 Exists No change grounds 217 Land south of Aberdovey Amenity area 1.1 Exists No change Close 218 Ash Plantation Other 1.7 Exists No change 219 Highlands Primary School Educational 3.3 Exists 0.38 ha lost to new buildings and car parks grounds 220 Land north of Foredyke Agricultural 71.1 Exists No change Stream 221 Foredyke Stream (east) Other 4.2 Exists No change 222 Kingswood School Educational 8.8 Exists New buildings. Old building demolished and new grounds playing fields created - no net loss 223 Land to the west of Perronet Amenity area 1.0 Exists No change Thompson School 224 Noddle Hill playing fields, Public playing 9.7 Exists 0.49 ha now go kart track. Note that the boundary Noddle Hill Way field/play area between 224 and 222 has changed slightly 225 Land south of Bransholme Agricultural 95.4 Exists No change
Author:Philip Reese Page 75 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 15 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo Road 226 Noddle Hill Way allotments Allotment 1.9 Exists No change 227 Land to east of Wawne Road Amenity area 2.3 Exists No change 228 Cleeve Primary School Educational 1.9 Exists approx 0.1 ha lost to new building, car park etc grounds 229 Land west of Whitstone Amenity area 0.3 Exists No change Close 230 Land to north of Sutton Amenity area 7.0 Exists No change Road, east of Ennerdale 231 Sutton Park Primary School Educational 0.9 Exists No change grounds 232 Coleford Primary School Educational 0.9 Exists School demolished. Site now Isberg Rugby ground grounds 233 Land to the east of Coleford Amenity area 2.3 Exists No change Primary School, Coleford Grove 234 Land between Holwell Road Amenity area 2.5 Exists No change and Stroud Crescent East 235 St Oswald's/St Anne's R.C. Educational 2.2 Exists No change Primary School grounds 236 Strip running west of Holwell Amenity area 3.8 Exists No change Road 237 Land to the south of Amenity area 8.3 Exists No change Dorchester Road 238 St James C.E. Primary Educational 0.4 Exists Loss of 0.02 ha due to temp classroom School grounds 239 Leads Road/Sutton Road Allotment & 2.1 Exists No change allotments 240 Midmere Primary School Educational 0.4 Exists No change grounds 241 Dorchester Primary School Educational 1.5 Exists No change grounds 242 Winifred Holtby School Educational 9.0 Exists (part of site is New school building and car park grounds brown) 243 Land south west of Sutton Amenity area 0.6 Exists No change Gardens, Barnstaple Road 244 Land adjacent to South Amenity area 1.2 Exists (buildings on 0.34 No change Bransholme Community ha of site) Centre
Author:Philip Reese Page 76 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 16 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 245 Land east of North Point Amenity area 0.3 Exists No change Shopping Centre 246 Lambwath Field, Wawne Public playing 3.9 Exists No change Road fields/play area 247 Kinloss Primary School Educational 0.9 Exists School demolished. Site now Rockford Rangers grounds ground. 248 Land to the east of Biggin Hill Amenity area 0.3 Exists No change Primary School 249 Biggin Hill Primary School Educational 1.1 Exists Permission granted for construction of temporary grounds classroom on 0.015ha of greenspace. 250 Land east of Wawne Road, Public playing 1.1 Exists No change south of Castle Hill Road field/play area 251 Land north of Astral Way, Amenity area 0.5 Exists No change west of Lagoon Drive 252 Land to the rear of the Fire Amenity area 0.2 Exists No change Station, Noddle Hill Way 253 Highfield House grounds, Private grounds 0.9 Exists (0.07ha covered by A further 0.06ha covered by building Wawne Road, Sutton building) 254 Land to the south of Highfield Private pitch 1.4 Exists No change House, Wawne Road, Sutton 255 Mudflats to south of Sammy's Other 1.2 Exists No change Point 256 Land east of Victoria Dock Amenity area 2.7 Doesn't exist Narrow green screening between Victoria Dock residential development and industrial buildings to east. Also screening to north from Hedon Road, and amenity green space to south. 257 Land south of Garrison Amenity area 1.2 Exists Exists but shape has changed due to improvements to Road, Victoria Dock Hedon Road junction. 258 Land west of Mount Pleasant Public playing 0.5 Building on 0.6 ha of site No change field/play area 259 Land east of Abbey Street Amenity area 0.7 Exists No change 260 Strip of land east of Mount Amenity area 0.6 Exists No change Pleasant 261 Dansom Lane Playing Field Public playing 1.4 Exists although car parking New industrial building on large portion of south of field/play area in SE corner site. Amenity greenspace has expanded north to compensate (although now 0.95ha) 262 Buckingham Street Public playing 0.5 Exists No change playground field/play area 263 Land east of Barnsley Street Public playing 0.3 Exists No change
Author:Philip Reese Page 77 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 17 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo field/play area 264 Buckingham Primary School Educational 0.3 Exists No change grounds 265 Land adjacent to Educational 0.3 Exists No change Buckingham Primary School grounds 266 Victor Street recreation Public playing 1.4 Exists Now Craven Primary School and AGS ground field/play area 267 Estcourt Primary School Educational 0.4 Exists No change grounds 268 Land to the south of Sweet Allotment 0.4 Exists No change Dews Grove 269 Hedon Road Burial Ground Cemetery 0.9 Exists No change 270 Hedon Road Cemetery Cemetery 11.2 Exists No change 271 Land south of Bilsdale Other 6.3 Exists No change Grove, 'The Lozenge' 272 Land to west of Southcoates Amenity area 1.4 Exists No change Lane 273 Land east of Rosmead, Public playing 2.2 Exists No change Estcourt and Belmont Streets field/play area 274 David Lister School Educational 1.6 Exists (although looks in No change grounds poor condition) 275 Land to the north and south Amenity area 0.7 Exists In poor condition, allocated for housing by HRC AAP of Kedrum Road 276 Van Leer playing fields Private pitch 1.1 Exists although 0.31ha is In poor condition, allocated for housing by HRC AAP concreted 277 Sacred Heart Convent, Private grounds 0.2 Exists No change Southcoates Lane 278 Land south of Reeds Lane Educational 1.8 Exists No change grounds 279 Alderman Cogan Primary Educational 3.3 Exists No change School grounds 280 Holderness House Private grounds 3.5 Exists No change 281 The Oval, Garden Village Amenity area 0.6 Exists No change 282 Land to rear of Elm Avenue, Amenity area 0.4 Exists No change Lime Tree Avenue and Lilac Avenue 283 Dismantled railway west of Other 1.8 Exists No change Dansom Lane 284 Westcott Primary School Educational 3.1 Exists No change
Author:Philip Reese Page 78 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 18 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo grounds 285 Dismantled railway between Other 1.5 Exists No change Sutton Road and Chamberlain Road 286 Pelican Recreation Ground, Public playing 3.9 Exists No change Lambwath Road field/play area 287 Cavendish Primary School Educational 2.5 Exists 0.1ha lost to car parking grounds 288 Malet Lambert School Educational 8.8 Exists New school building. Loss of approx 0.86ha grounds 289 East Park Public park 48.5 Exists No change 290 Dockers Club, Holderness Private pitch 1.2 Exists No change Road 291 Maybury Primary School Educational 2.3 Exists School remodelled with 1.11ha of green space. A grounds further 1.7ha of green space remains. 292 Holderness Grange Amenity area 0.8 Exists although 0.21 ha No change. has housing on. 293 Church grounds west of Private grounds 0.6 Exists No change Sperrin Close 294 Bellfield Primary School Educational 1.5 Exists No change grounds 295 Bellefield Avenue playground Public playing 2.6 Exists although 0.53 ha No change. field/play area has housing on. 296 Ings Primary School Educational 1.3 Exists No change grounds 297 Ings playing fields, Ings Road Public playing 4.8 Exists No change field/play area 298 Land to the south of Other 2.4 Exists No change Westwood Close 299 Dismantled railway between Other 0.4 Exists No change Tweendykes and Sutton Road 300 Dismantled railway to the Other 1.1 Exists No change west of Highfield 301 Land to the north of the Private grounds 1.0 Exists No change church, Church Street 302 Barbara Robson playing Public playing 4.2 Exists No change fields, Robson Way field/play area & 303 Dismantled railway between Other 0.7 Exists No change
Author:Philip Reese Page 79 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 19 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo Kestrel Avenue and Robson Way 304 Land to the north of Howdale Amenity area & 4.4 Exists No change Road 305 Dismantled railway south of Other 1.2 Exists No change Castle Hill 306 Land south east of Castlehill Agricultural 51.9 Exists No change Road 307 Land to the north of Langsett Amenity area 0.5 Exists No change Road 308 Land to the west of Amenity area 1.8 Exists No change Stromness Way and Dressay Grove 309 Land to south of Dunbar Amenity area 6.5 Exists No change House grounds, Saltshouse Road 310 Lambwath Primary School Educational 1.2 Exists Area allocated for housing in HRC AAP. New public grounds open space is planned. 311 Land north of Barra Close Public playing 1.1 Exists No change field/play area 312 Sutton Park Golf Course, Golf course & 47.8 Exists No change Saltshouse Road 313 Land to rear of Princess Amenity area & 1.8 Exists Mostly housing. Loss of 1.2 ha Royal Hospital 314 Tilworth Grange Hospital Private grounds 4.9 Exists although lots of Lost to housing Grounds, Saltshouse Road buildings in it 315 Wilberforce 6th Form Educational 3.2 Exists 0.1ha lost to new buildings College, Saltshouse Road grounds 316 Holderness Drain Other 21.4 Exists No change 317 Mudflats east of Queen Other 8.4 Exists (although looks like Land reclaimed and set to be industrial / docklands Elizabeth Dock the Humber) 318 Jewish Burial Ground, north Cemetery 0.5 Exists No change of Hedon Road 319 Fenners recreation ground, Private pitch 4.8 Exists Part of site allocated for employment (0.68ha) and part Marfleet Lane allocated for residential (0.67ha). However potential gain of 0.6ha on west side. 320 Marfleet Primary School Educational 0.4 Exists although 0.18ha is Site remodelled with approx 0.39ha of green space grounds built on / tarmac 321 St Giles Burial Ground Cemetery/private 3.3 Exists Loss of 0.43 ha to industry, but new park created.
Author:Philip Reese Page 80 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 20 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo grounds 322 Land south of former Other 0.5 Exists (rough grass, no No change Withernsea railway line obvious marking of site) 323 Flinton Primary School Educational 6.4 Exists (although appears Site remodelled with amount of green space about the grounds to be at least 3 sites) same 324 St Richards R.C. Primary Educational 7.3 Exists (although plan No change School grounds boundary doesn't follow aerial photo boundary) 325 Marfleet Lane allotments Allotment 2.8 Exists No change 326 Land to the south of Preston Other 0.9 Exists New health centre built - loss of 0.16ha Road 327 Hull Kingston Rovers F.C. Private pitch 1.1 Exists No change Craven Park, Preston Road 328 Land to the south of Craven Private pitch 0.6 Exists (but not clear it is Site cleared Park, Preston Road used as a pitch) 329 Greatfield School, Annandale Educational 7.0 Exists School demolished but green space largely the same Road grounds 330 Stockwell Primary School Educational 1.5 Exists No change grounds 331 Former Withernsea railway Other 3.8 Exists No change line 332 Land east of Falkland Road Other 3.0 Exists No change 333 Land east of Greatfield Agricultural 39.9 Exists No change Estate 334 Strip of land to east of Other 0.9 Exists No change Oldfleet Primary School 335 Oldfleet Primary School Education grounds 1.5 Exists No change 336 Greatfield playing field Public playing 13.8 Exists No change field/play area 337 Eastern Cemetery, Preston Cemetery 10.1 Exists No change Road 338 Archbishop Thurston C.E. Education grounds 4.9 Exists Site now Oakfield Special School and approx 3.3 ha of School site allocated for housing 339 Land east of Mickley and Public playing 1.2 Exists No change Birkby Groves fields/play area 340 Mappleton playing field, Public playing 2.4 Exists Now Archbishop Sentamu Academy playing fields with Mappleton Grove fields/play area nature area to the north. 341 East Hull allotments Allotment & 6.8 Exists (although only 2/3 Northern half now allotments (1.66ha), southern half appears to be allotments) part of Sentamu School (5ha)
Author:Philip Reese Page 81 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 21 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 342 Land north of Portobello St., Allotment & 1.2 Exists Site allocated for housing east of Holderness Drain 343 Land west of Marfleet Lane, Allotment 1.2 Exists No change east of Bilton Grove 344 Land surrounded by Burdale Amenity area 0.3 Exists No change Close 345 Griffin Primary School Educational 1.0 Exists (although plan No change grounds boundary doesn't follow aerial photo boundary) 346 Mountbatten Primary School Educational 2.0 Looks like housing has No change grounds been built in SE corner of site 347 Land north of Wivern Road Other 0.6 Exists No change 348 Alderman Kneeshaw, Public park & 18.2 Exists No change recreation ground 349 Andrew Marvell School Educational 13.2 Exists New school building however quantity of green space grounds about the same 350 Land east of Grenville Bay Amenity area 0.3 Exists No change 351 Land to the west of Ark Royal Public playing 1.5 Exists No change field/play area 352 Thanet Primary School, Educational 1.4 Exists No change Tedworth Road grounds 353 Longhill Primary School Educational 1.7 Exists (although plan Approx 0.1ha lost to new buildings grounds boundary doesn't follow aerial photo boundary) 354 Wansbeck Primary School Educational 1.8 Exists (small area using for No change grounds car parking) 355 Wansbeck Road allotments Allotment 1.0 Exists No change 356 Land to east of Weaver Amenity area 0.3 Exists Corner of site appears to be used for equipment Grove storage. 357 East Mount Recreation Public playing 4.7 Exists No change Centre, Waveney Road field, field/play area play area 358 Longhill playing field Public playing 4.6 Exists No change field/play area 359 Spring Cottage Primary Educational 0.9 Exists 0.07ha lost to car parking School grounds 360 Land to the west of Neasden Public playing 1.5 Exists No change Primary School field/play area
Author:Philip Reese Page 82 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 22 of 29 ID Address Type Hectares Mid 2000 aerial photo Mid 2014 aerial photo 361 Neasden Primary School Educational 2.2 Exists (0.1ha used for car No change grounds parking) 362 Land to north of Neasden Other 0.6 Exists No change Primary School 363 Foredyke Stream cycle track Other 1.4 Exists No change - north of Sutton Road 364 Land to the west of Allotment & 0.9 Exists No change Northumberland Avenue almshouses 365 Land south of Bean Street Public playing 0.4 Exists No change field/play area 366 Land south of Cullen Close Public playing 0.6 Exists No change field/play area 367 Land south of Annandale Public playing 1.7 Exists Building removed. Whole area grassed over Road field/play area 368 Dunbar House grounds Private grounds 1.1 Exists No change 369 Trinity Burial Ground, Castle Cemetery 0.7 Exists (although plan No change Street boundary doesn't follow aerial photo boundary) 370 St Peters Street Amenity area 0.2 Exists No change 371 Queens Gardens Public park 3.2 Exists No change 372 Land to the north of Little Cemetery 0.2 Exists No change Mason Street 373 Land to the east of Hymers Other 1.0 Exists Site merged into Hymers grounds College grounds 374 Land on Newbridge Road Amenity area 0.6 Exists No change 375 Noddle Hill Way Community Other 3.9 Exists No change Woodland 376 Land to the north of Amenity area 0.5 Exists (0.02 ha building on No change Wadsworth site)
Author:Philip Reese Page 83 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 23 of 29
Appendix B: Green space losses (from mid-2012 onwards)
ID Address Planning app Notes 4 Land surrounding Fire Brigade 11/00717/FULL 540 sqm greenspace lost to new car park. £8,865 provided as S.106 HQ, Summergroves Way compensation. 4 Land surrounding Fire Brigade 13/00883/FULL 165 sqm greenspace lost to new training rig. HQ, Summergroves Way Officer’s report deemed that “in this circumstance it is not reasonable to require replacement or improvement of another area.” 67 Hull Rugby Football Club ground 12/00929/FULL Now Boulevard Academy. 2ha of playing fields, so net gain of green space. 81 Land to rear of Spring Bank 12/00707/FULL Newington and St Andrews AAP updates the green space designation West/Alliance Avenue – creating a new green space of similar size approximately 60 metres to the west. Therefore, no net loss. 125 Appleton Primary School 12/00390/FULL Loss of 140sqm greenspace to new car park. Officer’s report notes that the area is a grassed play area but does not note that it is allocated as green space. No compensation is therefore required. 147 St Mary's College grounds, 12/00022/FULL Loss of 0.2ha of greenspace to new school building. Officer’s report Inglemire Avenue notes this but concludes that in this case the area lost would be replaced by a similar amount elsewhere on site. 159 Land to the east of Axdane, 15/00788/FULL Construction of 178 dwellings. Application pending consideration. & Bondane, Caldane, and Potential loss of 3.5 ha. 161 Dibsdane and Land to the south The Design and Access Statement states that lost greenspace will be of Isledane replaced onto other suitable green sites within Orchard Park. 163 Land south of Dodthorpe 14/00830/FULL Extracare Facility at Orchard Park. Due to landscaping in the development, it is not considered that there will be a net loss in green space. 178 Reckitts Sports ground, 12/00342/FULL Loss of approx. 4.3 ha of former playing fields to housing development. Chamberlain Road As compensation, the remainder of the site is restored as playing fields with new changing facilities and car park, with £50k paid to Hull FC for upkeep. Also, £130k paid to improvement of Pelican Park. 209 Northcott School 12/01002/FULL Construction of sport halls and car parking leading to loss of approx. 0.1ha of green space. Officer’s report agrees with applicant that the lost green space is of little value and the new sports hall represents an Author:Philip Reese Page 84 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 24 of 29 overall enhancement in school facilities. 238 St James C.E. Primary School 12/00562/FULL Construction of temporary classroom on 0.02 ha greenspace. Officer’s report states that it is acceptable on condition that the play equipment located on the classroom site is relocated so that the benefit is retained. 249 Biggin Hill Primary School 13/00345/FULL Permission granted for construction of temporary classroom on 0.015ha of greenspace. Officer’s report notes that it would not lead to a material loss of open space. 356 Land to east of Weaver Grove 13/00993/FULL 0.06ha of greenspace fenced off as works compound. No reference to this in planning permission, but it is assumed that it is temporary in order to aid the construction of bungalows opposite.
Author:Philip Reese Page 85 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 25 of 29
Appendix C: S106 planning obligation examples in the last 10 years
Location and Proposal Actual or potential outcome Amy Johnson School – new 490 units proposed on urban greenspace 29 as defined in the Local Plan, taken forward into housing (Keepmoat) – s106 the AAP, with s106 split by pos/play relating to phases £165K phase 1 and £463K phase 2) signed May 2013 and some offset (£143K) through West Park improvements that have already occurred. £238K also geared toward Hawthorn Avenue street scene improvements. Certain triggers for phase 2 not yet reached. Play area (0.8ha) also to be provided as part of the scheme. Proposals involved the loss of 7.8ha school playing fields but it formed part of wider regeneration scheme and s106 used to compensate for loss of provision (to address Policy NE3) and pos/play to meet standard in Policy NE6. S106 funds received to be used for further pos/play improvements at West Park and Hawthorn Avenue Street Scene improvements. Bethune Avenue – Westbridge 14 units to replace former public house and car park. NE6 provisions required but Westbridge Homes April 2007 went into administration and current house holders are liable for s106 totalling £20K. Boothferry Park – new housing 234 units proposed on urban greenspace sites 30 and 32 (Boothferry Park, 0.9ha and training (Strata Homes) - ground, 0.7 ha). £323K required for pos/play to meet standard in NE6 and replacement occurred at KC Stadium. S106 funds received to be used for further pos/play improvements at West Park. Calvert Lane – new housing 121 units on proposed housing site 55. S106 payment being progressed for £168K to meet (Barratts) – November 2012 NE6 standards with use yet to be determined. Small play area also completed as part of the scheme. Camberwell Way – Chevin – 122 units requiring £181K in meeting NE6 standards, with funds being used for improvements November 2009 at Bellfield Park, Grasby Park and Ings muga. Chamberlain Road – new 112 units on part of private playing fields urban greenspace 178 (7.9 ha) (Reckitts sports housing (Liberty Green, ground) allowed on appeal. S106 contributions include £130K toward Pelican Park, on-site Barratts)- November 2011 changing rooms in addition to maintenance payment of £50K to be transferred to Hull FC. Inspector envisaged the loss of part of the playing field would secure the remainder as the facility was poorly used. Phase 1 of house building is approaching completion so funds have recently been requested. Clear View Close – new housing 21 units located on predominant existing housing designation. Part of site was allowed on (Exel Homes) appeal forming the outline consent although no pos/play was required through this consent. 4 plots fall outside of this and are subject to NE6 requirements (£5K). Dispute about payment of this is being pursued.
Author:Philip Reese Page 86 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 26 of 29 Chante rlands Avenue YPI – new 8 units to the front of YPI recreation ground forming part of urban greenspace site 130, but in housing use as a car park. £13K received in meeting NE6 standards. Location of new or improved facilities yet to be determined. Cotting ham Road (Old Grammar 45 units on urban greenspace site 113 (1.6ha) used as playing fields. Overriding reason for School) – new housing approval appear to be provision of a local muga, and conversion of the former school (Shepherd Homes) buildings for community use but the s106 generated £54K in meeting NE6 standards plus £55K for a muga and its maintenance. No replacement facilities sought to compensate for loss although it was a private rather than publicly available. Funds are being used for various projects within the area plus muga re-location is being sourced. Ella Street – new housing 28 units on part predominant housing (comprising two thirds of the application site) and urban (Westbridge Homes) – January greenspace site 118 (0.6ha) with nature conservation value. Part of the site is brought forward 2006 as a small play area (0.09ha) but NE6 standards (totalling £25K) have been sought from individual householders, as liability transferred from Westbridge Homes. Overriding reasons in terms of urban greenspace protection seems to relate to limited loss in applying Policy NE2 (for sites less than 0.25ha not able to be shown on the Proposals Map). Replacement provision not sought. Facilities are not yet determined in terms of future use of s106. Ellerb y Grove/Ganstead Grove 175 units within predominant area of existing housing use in the Local Plan where NE6 (Sanctuary Housing provisions are sought including £34K upon 24 th dwelling occupation as part of phase 1. S106 Association) funds sought reduced because of ground condition abnormals affecting viability. Site is part allocated in the AAP for housing. Small amount of pos provided on site including play area. Bude Road/Thomas Clarkson New retail store on urban greenspace 211 (3.3ha) with nature conservation value. Way, retail scheme Replacement provision sought resulting in a s106 that requires £122K from 0.75ha development scheme. Scheme not yet implemented. AAP refers to urban greenspace designation. Hall Road – new secondary New Secondary School on part of Princes Elizabeth Playing Fields designated as urban school (Riverside) greenspace site 189 (11.4 ha) of sporting/recreation and amenity value, as well as forming part of a green network. New school reported as equivalent benefit in terms of meeting Policy NE3 following loss of 20% of the urban greenspace used as playing pitches and muga, mitigated through new muga and marking up of pitches. Hall Road - Extra Care facility Partial use of designated urban greenspace 163 (1.6ha) with amenity value although £93K is required to meet NE6 standard public open space only. No replacement provision sought although it was used as amenity space and open verge frontage is retained. Homethorpe – new housing 52 units on part of urban greenspace site 163 (1.6ha) used for amenity purposes. Scheme (Riverside) – January 2014 involves small loss of urban greenspace frontage. Because of high flood risk abnormals it was
Author:Philip Reese Page 87 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 27 of 29 accepted the scheme be exempted, for viability reasons, from NE6 standards. West Park - KC Stadiu m and car New stadium development within part of West Park designated as urban greenspaces 84 (part park public park), 85 (cricket circle) and 87 of sport/recreation, amenity and nature conservation value. Overriding considerations include strategic asset. Woldcarr Road (Riley college) - 348 units involves urban greenspace sites 81 and 79, both retained for these purposes, Keepmoat including nature conservation value to site 81 (1ha) and playing fields for site 79 (3.3ha). £201K is also sought for improvements to Hawthorn Avenue street scene. Details confirmed in NaSA AAP. Kingswood – new housing – 3,500 units including numerous new local neighbourhood play areas, new park and KPDC and various builders improvements to existing urban greenspaces 9, 202, 205 and 206 in addition to linear routes. £400K already procured through s106 toward improvements including changing rooms, muga and playing pitches, mostly not implemented as yet. A new primary school has also been provided through s106 totalling £3.9m. A well advanced AAP provides context for future urban greenspace provision. Hull University – student 92 units proposed. Site is urban greenspace as a playing pitch but is allocated for academic accommodation, Inglemire Lane facility expansion (community facilities) in the Local Plan. NE6 standards are referred to but improvements are sought on-site, or within land in the control of the University. It is not clear what or where the improvements sought actually are, but these are to be secured through a planning condition. There is no reference to replacement open space provision (required through CF11 or NE3) or reference to loss of playing area, although the site is shown as committed for community facilities. 92 flats would have generated over £100K in addition to replacement requirements, but these are sought on-site. Marfleet Lane – Beau 5 units within predominant housing area designation. NE6 standards applied and funds being developments – Feb 2014 paid by instalments. Marfleet Avenue – new housing 129 units on predominant industrial land (Fenners) and part urban greenspace 319 with – January 2015 sport/recreation and amenity value carried forward into the AAP as mix of proposed new housing and business use but including the retention of Recreation Ground, although reduced in size. S106 requires NE6 standards in addition to 25% costs maintenance payments, with costs to be reduced if on-site provision is made. Replacement provisions in meeting NE3 requirements are sought via planning condition including artificial wicket, 2 half artificial practice strips and cages and 1 bowling pavilion, although the constrained nature of the cricket pitch means that adult cricket (although it is a private facility) is no longer feasible to ECB standards, but this was traded in favour of new housing. Proposals not yet implemented. Newland Homes, Cottingham 47 units on part urban greenspace sites 143 (with amenity value) and 145 (with amenity
Author:Philip Reese Page 88 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 28 of 29 Road – student accommodation value) to be provided for student accommodation. S106 requires payment of £61K to address – March 2013 Policy NE6 provisions along with 2 informal replacement pitches (without need for marking or goal posts), through a planning condition, to meet NE3 provisions although overriding justification relates to best use being made of existing listed buildings. Pitches do not seem to have been provided but the condition appears to relate to use of an existing urban greenspace site 143 fronting Newland Homes. St Nicholas Primary School has also provided improved outdoor pitches and a muga that meet NE3 requirements. Perth Street (Methodist Church) Conversion of church to 8 flats. No reference to NE6 standards in the assessment so no public open space or play provision is required in mitigation, although it is a change of use application. Cumbrian Way – Riverside 54 units including loss of small urban greenspaces (too small to show in the Local Plan) and Housing Association – August provision of NE6 standards in a s106 resulting in £78K sought although this was replaced 2012 through provision of a skatepark and play facilities at Pennine Way. Saltshouse Road (Princess 103 units although the proposal is in phases. NE6 standards required only as the Royal) – new housing (Bellway development is located on designated hospital. Phase 1 for 53 units has resulted in payment Homes) of £101K toward pos/play in the vicinity, to be used for various projects including at Gleneagles Park (£31k), Western Gailes Way (to be determined).
Author:Philip Reese Page 89 of 160 Status:Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 29 of 29
Page 90 of 160
Briefing Paper to the People and Communities Wards : All Overview and Scrutiny Commission
24 th September, 2015
Control of Verge Parking
Briefing Paper of the of Head of Streetscene Services on behalf of Corporate Director for Strategic Commissioning
1. Purpose of the Paper and Summary
1.1 At the18 th June, 2015 meeting of Full Council a motion was passed that instructed officers to bring forward a report to this Commission detailing the various methods and options available to control vehicular parking on adopted highway grass verges within the city including amending the local Act, lobbying Parliament and a review of the Council’s enforcement provision. This paper provides that information.
2. Background
2.1 There are effectively three different methods of controlling or preventing vehicular parking on grass verges within the highway as listed below and these will be considered in detail in the proceeding paragraphs:-
(i) enforcing Acts of Parliament
(ii) implementing Traffic Regulation Orders ( TROs)
(iii) installing physical measures
2.2 Enforcing existing Acts of Parliament.
There are four existing Acts that can be used to address parking on verges these being:-
(i) Kingston upon Hull Act, 1984.
Under section 25 of this Act it is an offence to ‘drive’ a vehicle on a grass verge when the relevant signs prohibiting such action are displayed and this could attract a maximum fine of £500.
Author: Page 91 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 1 of 7 To obtain a prosecution it would be necessary to progress a case through the Magistrates Court and this would be entirely dependent upon proving beyond reasonable doubt the identity of the driver of the vehicle at the time the vehicle was being driven on the verge.
(ii) Criminal Damage Act, 1971.
Damage to a grass verge caused by a vehicle would constitute an offence under section 1 of this Act and it would be possible to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £75 by virtue of section 43 and section 44 (1) (c) of the Anti Social Behaviour Act, 2003.
To enable a FPN to be successfully issued an Enforcing Officer would have to actually witness the damage taking place or be able to prove that the damage was actually caused by the specific vehicle and would then have to establish the identity of the driver at the time of the incident rather than just the registered keeper of the vehicle. Failure to pay the FPN would result in a criminal prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court.
(iii) Highways Act, 1980.
Damage to a grass verge would also constitute an offence under section 32 of this Act and it would be possible to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £75 by virtue of section 43 and section 44 (1) (c) of the Anti Social Behaviour Act, 2003.
Once again, to enable a FPN to be successfully issued an Enforcing Officer would have to actually witness the damage taking place or be able to prove that the damage was actually caused by the specific vehicle and would then have to establish the identity of the driver at the time of the incident rather than just the registered keeper of the vehicle. Failure to pay the FPN would result in a criminal prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court.
(iv) Road Traffic Act 1988.
Under section 34 of this Act it is an offence to drive a vehicle on land not forming part of the road and also to park a vehicle in such a way that it causes an obstruction or danger, however, the enforcement of these offences is solely a matter for the Police.
2.3 Implementing Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs).
There are three different types of TRO that can be implemented to directly or indirectly control verge parking, these being:-
(i) Double yellow line (all day) or single yellow line (part of the day) prohibition of waiting.
These restrictions are normally used to control parking on the carriageway, however, they apply from the centre of the road to the highway boundary and
Author: Page 92 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 2 of 7 consequently are equally enforceable on the carriageway, footway and any verge. To be enforceable would require only road markings or road markings and signs in the case of a single yellow line.
A vehicle in breach of the restrictions would be eligible for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70, or £35 if paid within fourteen days, issued by the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers.
(ii) Prohibition of waiting or stopping on verge and/or footway.
There are two distinct variations of this type of restriction although both would only apply to the verge and/or footway and not to the carriageway.
(a) The first type of restriction could be either a ‘waiting’ restriction which would prohibit parking but still permit a vehicle to be on the verge for the purposes of loading, or a ‘no stopping’ restriction which would prohibit any vehicle from stopping on the verge for any reason. To be enforceable would require the provision of the relevant signs at intervals of approximately 30 m/100ft on every section of verge within the area covered by the TRO.
(b) The second type of restriction would prohibit parking on the verge and/or footway but is intended to be applied to larger zones or even entire villages, towns or cities and utilises new signs which have recently been authorised by the Department for Transport. To be enforceable would require the provision of terminal signs at every entry and exit to the area concerned, the signs being similar in size and nature to those used when entering a Controlled Parking Zone. Repeater signs would only need to be provided where it was considered necessary to ensure compliance with the order.
A vehicle in breach of both these types of restrictions would be eligible for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70, or £35 if paid within fourteen days, issued by the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers.
(iii) Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). This sort of restriction is normally used to control commuter parking and within a CPZ the road is marked with either double yellow lines or marked parking bays and generally speaking, it is only permissible to park within the latter. Consequently, any vehicle not parked within a marked out parking bay would be in breach of the restrictions which require both road markings and signs, including zone entry/exit signs, to be enforceable.
A vehicle in breach of the restrictions would be eligible for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70, or £35 if paid within fourteen days, issued by the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers.
Author: Page 93 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 3 of 7 2.4 Installing physical measures.
The Council as Highway Authority can install suitable bollards, street furniture, raised kerbs or other features to physically prevent vehicles from gaining access to verge areas and this would in effect be self enforcing. Currently, verge parking issues are dealt with by both Streetscene and the Area Teams. In situations where there is persistent damage to a verge and where it can be easily prevented by the installation of one or two bollards then Streetscene can take action. The Area Teams generally become involved in situations where the problem is more widespread, possibly affecting a number of streets, and which could not be by the provision of a small number of bollards, and then require further advice to advance and sponsor a scheme through Streetscene.
3. Issues for Consideration
3.1 Initially, it would seem that there are several straight forward methods of controlling vehicular parking on grass verges, however, there are some very real practical difficulties in enforcing and implementing some of them.
Enforcement
3.2 Section 25 of the Kingston upon Hull Act, 1984 only makes it an offence to ‘drive’ a vehicle on a verge when the relevant signs are displayed. Consequently, enforcement could only take place if an Enforcing Officer actually witnessed the vehicle being driven and not parked. The officer would also have to establish beyond reasonable doubt the identity of the actual driver as identification relying on the registered keeper is not sufficient. This is fraught with difficulties and could expose the officer to a, potentially, confrontational situation.
3.3 Additionally, the Kingston upon Hull Act can only be textually amended by passing a new local Act. The Council would have to be the promoter and an MP would have to be relied upon for sponsorship. The existing Act does not provide for powers to amend through secondary legislation, which would be a much simpler process. To lobby to pass a new local Act is a lengthy, detailed and expensive process. Government and Political Relations Consultants (lobbyists) would have to be contracted to advise on all procedures and actions including:- public relations advice; building Parliamentary support for the case; identifying, approaching and attracting supportive MPs and Peers and relevant officials and ministers; developing the strategy, campaign and action plan; preparing briefing material to resonate with targets; and monitoring all developments in Parliament and Government.
3.4 Under the Criminal Damage Act, 1971 and the Highways Act, 1980 enforcement is problematical in that an Enforcing Officer would have to actually witness damage to the verge taking place and then establish the identity of the driver. To simply observe a vehicle parked on a damaged verge is insufficient as is directing any punitive action at the registered keeper of the vehicle.
Author: Page 94 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 4 of 7
Implementation
3.5 In situations where kerbside parking cannot be accommodated on the carriageway, possibly due to its narrow width, and vehicles are parking on an adjacent verge, then the introduction of double yellow line parking restrictions would seem appropriate. This would effectively prevent parking on the road, verge and footway. Double yellow line restrictions are well understood by motorists and are easily enforced by the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers who can issue a PCN. Such a restriction can be applied to and tailored to meet the requirements of individual locations.
3.6 There are already many Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in the city although to introduce a new CPZ simply to address a verge parking issue could seem to very heavy handed approach, having a considerable impact on the local area and residents. The road would have to be marked with either double yellow lines or parking bays, the latter usually having a time limit on waiting with an exemption for holders of permits which have to be purchased. It would also be necessary to provide zone entry/exit signs and time plate signs adjacent to every parking bay contributing to street clutter.
3.7 Where a verge parking problem is isolated, involving just a small section of verge with the damage being caused by one or two vehicles then the use of physical measures like bollards might be the most appropriate method to address the issue. This will actually prevent further damage taking place and will not be reliant on any enforcement action to get the message across to motorists that parking on the verge is unacceptable. The only downside to this type of action is that bollards may be considered unsightly, restricting grass cutting and, of course on top of the initial cost of installing these items, there is an added maintenance burden through risk of knock downs although this may be off-set by any savings from the reduction in works to repair the verge damage.
3.8 The use of a TRO to prohibit parking only on a verge would seem like a relatively straightforward method of dissuading motorists from carrying out this anti-social activity, however, there are pros and cons to the two slightly differing types of this restriction which are governed by the type of signs employed.
3.9 The traditional verge parking TRO relies on the provision of signs being placed at approximately 30m/100ft intervals along the length of every verge affected to convey to motorists the existence and nature of the restriction. Consequently, this can be an extremely costly exercise, a recent estimate just to provide such signs on the verges of Lambwath Road was £5,900, allied to an increase in street clutter. One upside to this type of restriction is that the TRO and signs can be varied so that it prohibits ‘stopping’ rather than ‘waiting’ and this would then preclude any vehicle from parking on the verge whereas a TRO prohibiting only ‘waiting’ would still allow a vehicle to park on the verge for the purposes of loading and unloading.
3.10 The recently authorised alternative method of signing a verge parking TRO relies mainly on the use of large start of restriction signs at every point of entry to and exit from a zone or area covered by the order. There is no set requirement for, or
Author: Page 95 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 5 of 7 specified distance between, repeater signs which can be placed at the discretion of the Highway Authority. It would, however, be essential to provide signs at locations where it is considered necessary to reinforce to motorists the existence of the restriction shown on the zone entry signs and also to ensure that any PCN issued for contravention of the restriction could not reasonably be challenged on the grounds of insufficient information or warning.
3.11 It should be noted that there is no provision within this type signing a TRO to preclude a vehicle from parking on the verge for the purposes of loading and unloading.
3.12 In theory then this method of signing a prohibition of parking on verges could be applied so that only one TRO would be required to cover the whole city. To achieve this it would be necessary to provide start of prohibition of parking on verge restriction signs at every entry road into the city that allowed vehicular access, of which there are approximately sixty, and similarly end of restriction signs at every exit side of the road. The cost of these signs would be approximately £18,000. If however Highways England gave permission for the erection of zone entry/exit signs on the A63/A1033 Trunk Road at the city boundary then the number of locations it would be necessary to sign could be reduced to about thirty. Repeater signs could then be used sparingly at verge parking ‘hot spots’.
3.13 Apart from the use of physical measures which by their nature prevent vehicles from actually gaining access to a verge all the other methods of controlling or preventing parking on a verge require some form of enforcement.
3.14 The current civil parking enforcement provision was established in 2006 when the enforcement responsibility was transferred from the Police to the Council. Since that time many new parking restriction and CPZ TROs have been implemented, yet all of which require enforcement. The enforcement capacity has not increased in line with the additional demand and as a result the frequency of the enforcement patrols has now dropped to a level that is considered to be the absolute minimum to enable coverage of the full city. There is also a public and member perception that the current levels of enforcement are inadequate.
3.15 Should any further enforcement be required through the introduction of prohibition of verge parking schemes then additional staff resources would be essential in order to undertake the necessary patrols although the cost of this may be offset to some degree by the monies received in respect of the PCN’s issued.
4. Next steps
4.1 The existing approach to tackling verge parking issues whereby each incidence is dealt with on case by case basis by either the Area Team, Streetscene or together will continue unless a city wide TRO is introduced, however, the decision as to whether to progress such action can only be taken by Cabinet.
Author: Page 96 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 6 of 7 Andy Burton
Head of Streetscene Services on behalf of Corporate Director for Strategic Commissioning
Contact Officer : Tim Binnington Telephone No. : 616544
Officer Interests: None
Background Documents: -
Author: Page 97 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 7 of 7
Page 98 of 160
Briefing Paper to the People and Wards: ALL Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission 24 th September 2015
Private Housing and sale of housing association properties
Briefing Paper of the City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager
1. Purpose of the Paper and Summary
1.1 This briefing paper is produced in response to the request from this Overview and Scrutiny Commission for an update about the supply and demand of private rented housing; cost and affordability; condition and the law around that; enforcement and rights of tenants and the sale of housing association properties
2. Private rented sector
2.1 The latest data about the size of private rented sector is Census 2011 Which showed that 22,984 households or 20.4% lived in the private rented sector? The Council Tax Data base at the beginning of August shows 118,517 dwellings in all tenures compared to 116,986 at March 2011. Properties move into and out of the private rented sector.
2.2 The main measures of demand are level of empty properties and rental levels; however it is not possible to differentiate between owner occupied and privately rented properties in the Council Tax empty data – These figures will also include empty housing association stock. However, evidence from Homes and Community Agencies annual statistical data returns show that a very small percentage of housing association stock is vacant; 1.4% at April 2014; data for 2014/15 is not Yet available. At August 2015 there were 2438 non council owned Homes that had been empty for more than six months.
2.3 Appendix 1 provides information about the percentage of households living in private rented housing by ward based on Census 2011 data and long term empty properties by ward at August 2015.The charts show that higher levels of empty properties in wards with higher Percentage of privately rented housing.
Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 99 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 1 of 11 2.4 Affordability • Affordability of private rented housing can be assessed by comparing average rents against local housing allowance (LHA) figures 1. LHA figures are set annually for the broad market area (BMA); our market area for LHA purposes covers Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. • The LHA figure is reviewed annually and adjusted to the lower of the 30 th percentile rent figure for a list of rents in the BMA or the existing LHA plus an uplift of 1% (or in some limited cases (shared rooms only in the Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire area) by an uplift of 4%). The affordability table in Appendix 1 shows that the LHA rates are lower than the Hometrack 30 th percentile figure (for Hull only) meaning that LHA will not cover the whole rent. For example from a 3 bed the LHA rate is £103.56 and the 30 th percentile cost is £109. • This information shows that 30% percentile rents for Hull have increased beyond the LHA rate but that upper quartile rents in Hull are considerably below the maximum rents in the BMA rent lists which suggests the highest rents are more likely to be found in East Riding of Yorkshire but that rents are rising in Hull and hence there is reduced affordability. • Using the affordability measure in the Hull Strategic Housing Market Assessment that 25% of income or less should be spent on rent this would suggest that median private rented housing is not affordable for many people and as shown more than 30% of rents are now above LHA levels in Hull. - Average full time earnings of Hull residents are around £22,443 per year 2 - The mean average household income estimated at £25,241 3 but this is based on income from all sources including benefits. - The Housing Benefit caseload at the end of June 15 showed 9,289 (or 28% of all claims) was from people living in the private rented sector. If Census 2011 figures are applied to 2012 household projections for Hull of 115,000 it would suggest that nearly 40% of households living in the private sector require housing benefit.
One Two Three bed bed bed Annual median rent £4160 £5096 £5980 Income required if 25% spent £16,640 £20,384 £23,920 on rent
1 https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx
2 ONS Annual Survey of Houses and Earnings (2014) 3 Census 2011 Table : DC3408EW - Long-term health problem or disability by tenure by sex by age Experian household income for Hull (2014) Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 100 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 2 of 11 2.5 Housing conditions The last Private Sector Stock Condition Survey was undertaken in 2009/10. The results of the survey suggested that, at that time, there were: • A total of 88,518 dwellings in that sector (approximately 21,000 being privately rented) with 58,172 or 66 % meeting the decent homes standard ( 30,346 homes being non-decent ).
• A total of 63.6% of vulnerable households within the city were living in decent homes whilst 14,507 vulnerable households were living in non-decent homes .
• A total number of 22,132 properties (representing 25% of all stock) have at least one category 1 hazard under the Housing, Health & Safety Rating System and 11,020 vulnerable households are living in homes with category one hazards. The council has a statutory
• A total number of 19,299 private households living in fuel poverty in the city and 13,328 of those households classed as vulnerable.
Poor housing conditions have been associated with poor health, in particular in relation to cold, damp housing. During the survey, ‘Excess Cold’ was one of the most common Category one hazards found under the Housing, Health & Safety Rating System. A further stock condition survey is being considered to provide up to date information about the quality of the stock.
Within the city there are approximately 4500 Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and of those 300 are subject to mandatory licensing (property is 3 or more storeys with 5 or more residents who form 2 or more households sharing facilities). Mandatory licensing limits the number of occupants based upon set standards for amenities, fire precautions and space standards.
2.6 Health and the private rented sector
• Comparatively few Disabled Facilities Grants were paid for work for private sector tenants in 2014/15 and amounted to around 9% of DFGs with the majority being completed for owner occupiers. • Census 2011 showed a much higher percentage of people with health problems lived in social rented housing. Around 7% of people living in the private rented sector reporting that their day to day activities are limited a lot. This is probably due to the younger age profile of people living in the private rented sector 4. See Appendix 1.
4 DC4604EW - Tenure by occupation by age - Household Reference Persons Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 101 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 3 of 11 2.7 Fuel poverty
• 11.7% of all households in the city were estimated to be in fuel poverty in 2013 based on DECC sub regional fuel poverty tables (2013).Hull Warmzone estimate 15.5% of households living in the private rented sector are in fuel poverty (based on 9262 records).
• Information from Census 2011 shows that 25% of homes without central heating are in the private rented sector, however, the majority are in owner occupation.
• Hull Warmzone’s UNO database (73,258 properties) show 26,238 homes with solid walls of which 68% are privately owned and 16% privately rented. The chart at Appendix 1 shows households in fuel poverty by ward and higher levels of fuel poverty is indicated in wards with higher levels of rented housing 5
2.8 Legislation – existing
2.8.1 The Council’s objectives through its private housing enforcement policy are to improve the quality, choice and standards in private housing. It goes further in that the aim is to reduce the risks to health and safety of Persons living in and visitors to their homes. The extent of enforcement will be related to the risk posed by the condition or situation and the likely benefits achieved by compliance
2.8.2 The tools used by the Private Housing (Environmental Health) team to improve housing conditions include:
• Informal action and advice • Formal action through the service of statutory notices to address statutory nuisance using the powers in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as well as using the powers in the Housing Act 2004 to address Category 1 and 2 hazards under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System • Prohibition orders – requiring the prohibition of the whole or part of the dwelling • Emergency Remedial Action – where there is imminent risk to health and safety • Demolition Order – council requires the demolition of the property but the land remains in the private ownership after demolition • Voluntary acquisition for subsequent resale or demolition • Compulsory Purchase Order – council acquires the property compulsorily if voluntary acquisition is unsuccessful
5 Source : DECC sub regional fuel poverty data (2013 ) Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 102 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 4 of 11 • Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) – the council takes over the management of the property but not the ownership; used when the property has been empty for more than two years
2.8.3 During 2014-15 the Private Housing (Environmental Health) team received 1,740 service requests and carried out the following enforcement activity: If a statutory notice is not complied with the council can consider undertaking works in default of the owner and/or prosecution.
Action taken No. Emergency Prohibition Order 1 Emergency Remedial Action, Housing Act 2004, Section 40, Cat 1 11 Hazard Awareness Notice 7 Improvement Notice – Housing Act 2004 88 Informal action - written 450 S.59 Building Act (defective rainwater goods) 8 S80 Environmental Protection Act – premises causing stat 42 nuisance S17 Public Health Act 4 Suspended Improvement Notice 23
Suspended Prohibition Order 12
Works in Default 9
665
If a statutory notices not complied with the council can consider
undertaking works in default of the owner and/or prosecution.
2.9 Legislation – proposed
2.9.1 The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 were laid in draft in March 2015 and are currently awaiting Parliamentary approval. If they are approved, private rented sector landlords will be required from 1 October 2015 to ensure that at least one smoke alarm is installed on every storey of their rented property, and that a carbon monoxide alarm is installed in any room which contains a solid fuel burning appliance. They will also require landlords to ensure that such alarms are in proper working order at the start of each new tenancy.
2.9.2 Enforcement authorities (local authorities) are required to issue a remedial notice where they have reasonable grounds to believe a landlord has not complied with one or more of the requirements. The landlord must comply with the notice within 28 days. If they do not, the local authority must carry out the remedial action (where the occupier consents) to ensure the requirements in the regulations are met and can issue a civil penalty of up to £5,000.
Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 103 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 5 of 11 2.9.3 The Deregulation Bill received Royal Assent on 26 March 2015. The new provisions offer protection for tenants against the practice of retaliatory eviction where landlords serve a possession notice in response to a complaint from a tenant. If the tenant has complained to the Local Authority which then serves an Improvement Notice or an Emergency Remedial Notice under Housing Act 2004 the landlord is unable to serve a valid Section 21 notice for 6 months from the date of the Local Authority notice being served or suspended. The new provisions relating to retaliatory eviction come in to force on 1 October 2015. They will initially only apply to new fixed term tenancies entered into from that date. Eventually, the provisions will apply to all tenancies but this will not be for another 3 years.
2.9.4 The Government has very recently consulted upon a discussion paper ‘Tackling Rogue Landlords and Improving the Private Rented Sector.’ The consultation concentrated upon housing offences, level of fines, data held, ‘fit and proper’ person test, and circumstances for Rent Repayment Orders. The outcome of the consultation is not yet known.
3. Sale of housing association properties
3.1 The Government announced in the Queen’s Speech in May that the current Right to Buy open to local authority tenants will be extended to housing association tenants and that it is anticipated it will be included in the Housing Bill which it is understood will be published Autumn 2015. Government proposes to fund this through the sale of ‘High value’ Council properties when they become available. Full details are not yet known.
3.2 Currently some housing associations tenants have a “Right to Acquire “ and tenants whose home transferred from local authority ownership to a housing association may have a Preserved Right to Buy.
3.3 Only housing association tenants living in self contained accommodation built or bought by a housing association after 31 March 1997 (and funded through a social housing grant provided by the Housing Corporation or local council) and subject to the housing association being registered with the Homes and Community Agency have the Right to Acquire. People buying through Right to Acquire are eligible for a discount varying by location; for Hull this is set at £9,000. Council tenants exercising Right to Buy can benefit by up to a 70% discount.
Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 104 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 6 of 11 3.4 Number of properties sold in Hull to housing association tenants is low; partially due to 35% of housing association stock being either supported housing or housing for older people
2011/12 2012/13 2013/14- Sales to 6 1 3 tenants 6
3.5 Some housing associations also had other home purchase schemes including building housing for sale and shared ownership. In 2014/15 HCA Housing Statistics show four start on sites of new affordable homes for sale in Hull
Laura Carr City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager
Contact Officer: Sue Roberts / Liz Jamil Telephone No. : 614376/ 615488
Officer Interests: None
Background Documents: - Appendix 1 Evidential base
6 HCA Statistical Data Returns Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 105 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 7 of 11 Appendix 1
Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 106 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 8 of 11 Affordability
LHA Minimum Maximum Hometrack Hometrack Hometrack 15/16 rent rent ( per 30th median Upper (BMA ) 15/16 week) percentile rent Hull quartile (BMA) 15/16 Hull only only rent Hull only £ (BMA) £ £ £ £ £ Shared 60.8 38.5 190 N/A N/A room One 69.73 34.52 179.71 75 80 91 bed Two 86.3 46.03 325 91 98 109 bed Three 103.56 57.53 322.19 109 115 132 bed Four 132.33 75 379.73 154 167 189 bed
Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 107 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 9 of 11 Health and age
Day -to - Day-to-day day Day-to-day activities Tenure 7 activities activities limited a limited a not limited little lot All categories: Tenure 24,045 24,024 204,679 Owned: Owned outright 6,149 7,239 29,019 Owned: Owned with a mortgage or loan or 3,431 4,844 82,519 shared ownership Rented: Social rented 11,236 8,500 46,106 Rented: Private rented or living rent free 3,229 3,441 47,035
7 Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 108 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 10 of 11 Fuel Poverty
Author: Lesley Alderson-Speight Page 109 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 11 of 11
Page 110 of 160
Briefing Paper to the People and Communities Overview Wards Newland, Myton, And Scrutiny Commission Newington
26 September 2015
Update on the Arrangements for Managing Gypsy and Traveller Site Rents
Briefing Paper of the City Neighbourhood and Housing Manager
1. Purpose of the Report and Summary
1.1 This briefing note provides an update to members on the current position in relation to rental income from the 4 permanent traveller sites in the city and progress in revising arrangements for monitoring rent.
2. Background
2.1 A briefing note was submitted to the meeting of this Commission on 12 March 2015 which explained there were arrears on a number of accounts, particularly where housing benefit claims had lapsed. It also highlighted the need to undertake a more thorough review of rent accounts to ensure that all payments were correctly recorded, but that staffing problems were limiting capacity to do this.
2.2 The note stated that existing funding for staff has been enhanced with funds released as a result of the cessation of the Gypsy and Traveller support contract with Hull DOC which has enabled the creation of two posts, Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officer and Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Assistant. A successful recruitment exercise has recently been undertaken with new staff taking up their posts in February and March 2015.
2.3 An expression of interest was sent to all Tenancy Support Team Leaders in the housing service to see if any manager would voluntarily take on the management of this area of work. A member of staff in the East area of the city volunteered. The two officers were moved to the Longhill office and mange the sites from there.
2.4 The Council owns and manages 4 permanent Gypsy & Traveller sites providing a total of 70 pitches. The Gypsy & Traveller Liaison Assistant is essential to support the Gypsy & Traveller Liaison Officer in (i) the day-to-day management of the 4-permanent Gypsy & Traveller sites in the city; (ii) continuing to drive improvements in service delivery, particularly in maximising rental income and mainstreaming service provision to the
Author: Page 111 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 1 of 2 Gypsy & Traveller permanent community, and (iii) working with partners in responding to neighbourhood priorities.
3. Pitch Rents
3.1 The council owns 43 single pitches with a weekly rent of £53.74 and 27 double pitches with a weekly rent of £80.56. All accounts are monitored through the Northgate housing management system. 77% of resident receive full or partial rent allowance.
3.2 Since the officers have been in post a lot of work has been undertaken in reviewing every case, talking with tenants and working with Housing Benefits to manage each rent account. 92% of tenants have been visited.
3.3 Current arrears total £60,500. By working with housing benefit and cash and banking, a total of £8,305.31 has been recovered going back to 2011.
4. Internal Audit
4.1 Internal Audit have recently been undertaking a review considering the following areas,
• Pitch allocations for evidence of compliance with policies and procedures and awarded within a regulated system of prioritisation • The completion of signed tenancy agreements and award of site licenses • The maintenance of accurate financial records including the collection of appropriate rents and other charges, payment of benefits and monitoring and collection of arrears • Compliance with Health & Safety requirements including testing of equipment and facilities and production of reports • Compliance with legal and statutory requirements
4.2 The report will not be finalised before committee takes place but Audit have provided positive feedback around the monitoring of rent accounts, the quality contact with tenants that has taken place and the introduction of quarterly rent statements.
5. Next Steps
5.1 For committee to review the briefing note and make any comments.
Laura Carr City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager
Contact Officer : Mark McEgan Telephone No. : 4358
Officer Interests: None
Background Documents: None
Author: Page 112 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 2 of 2
Briefing Paper to the People and Communities Overview and Wards : Southcoates East Scrutiny Committee
24 th September 2015
Demolition of properties – Preston Road Renewals Programme
Briefing Paper of the of Assistant City Manager, Housing Strategy and Renewal
1. Purpose of the Paper and Summary
1.1 The purpose of this briefing paper is to update People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission in relation to the demolition process and timescale for properties within the Preston Road Renewal Programme.
2. Background
2.1 Currently there are 188 empty properties across the five phase of the Preston Road Renewals programme (Appendix A), as follows: • Phase 1(2014) - 98 • Phase 2 (2015) - 57 • Phase 3 (2016) - 11 • Phase 4(2017) - 13 • Phase 5 (2018) - 9
2.2 Of the 188 properties 64 are located in blocks which contain occupied properties and, therefore, cannot be demolished. However, these properties are being prepared for demolition, i.e. services disconnected.
2.3 The remaining 124 properties are in complete blocks and are being progressed for demolition. The majority of properties, 82, fall in the first phase of acquisition; the remainder are split as follows: • Phase 2 - 32 • Phase 3 - 4 • Phase 4 - 2 • Phase 5 - 4
2.4 The 10 empty properties within complete blocks in phases 3 to 5 were acquired in advance of the formal acquisition process due to being empty and financially unfeasible to bring back into use.
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2.5 A target of 12 months, from the last property becoming vacant on a block, is used for profiling demolition and spend against budgets. During this period all utilities are disconnected, asbestos surveyed and removed, ecology surveys undertaken and a demolition contractor procured.
2.6 With the exception of the properties vacant in advance of programme the first complete blocks of void properties, 12 in total did not become available until February 2015. Since that time the number of void properties in full blocks has increased by on average 24 a month. It is anticipated that the demolition programme will commence in the autumn and all full blocks of void properties demolished within the profiled twelve month period.
3. Issues for Consideration
3.1 The timescale for demolition is greatly influenced by the individual choices of residents and their options for relocation, i.e. tenure, area and availability. Many factors influence the timescales for relocation, such as time for re-let on Council stock, availability of suitable property types in desired areas and hand over dates for new build properties. This results in blocks having both empty and occupied properties.
3.2 If properties become empty in phases ahead of programme they are appraised for their viability to be re-let. However, taking into consideration the cost of bringing up to a letable standard and potential future costs, i.e. homeloss payments. In addition, finding relocation properties for new tenants can add additional time to the time to demolish, therefore they are seldom re-let.
3.3 Another key issue influencing demolition timescales are the service disconnections, in particular electric. Northern Powergrid are the sole individual that can undertake electrical disconnections. Northern Powergrid do not provide a standard timescale for disconnections although historically the trigger point for action was six months. However, due to industry changes in process this period has lengthened. Unfortunately, there is no alternative organisation that the Council can use to undertake electrical disconnections.
3.4 There are currently 20 properties disconnected (though only four are capable of being demolished as the remainder are within blocks with occupied properties). We are working with Northern Powergrid to complete the disconnection works so that demolition can be progressed. Whilst a number of disconnections fall outside of our trigger point timescale we have raised this with Northern Powergrid and those disconnections are being programmed in and programmed works will see the majority of disconnections completed within six months allowing demolition to progress as highlighted above.
3.5 The timescale for electrical disconnection has been influenced by a number of issues relating to how disconnections are undertaken. In addition to this, disconnections are required across the Preston Road, Ings Caspon North Bransholme and Hawthorn Avenue acquisition programmes resulting in a large volume of work. There has been substantial other works carried out on behalf of the Council and its partners in Renewals programmes including reconnections, new connections, street furniture and emergency works. The operative who covers Hull City Council work covers similar works for the East Riding Council and private commercial and domestic customers across the whole of East Yorkshire.
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3.6 The method of disconnection allows in some cases for savings on disconnection and the procurement of larger numbers of properties for demolition reduces some of the overheads to the Council, i.e. set up charges.
3.7 The next batch of disconnections is due to be undertaken in late September which will allow demolitions to be progressed.
3.8 Whilst there is concern about the timescale properties are standing empty for prior to demolition there is significant work being undertaken behind the scenes to prepare all properties for demolition.
4. Next steps
4.1 Preparation for demolition continues as do regular discussions with the contractors who undertake the preparation work.
4.2 It is anticipated that demolition will be completed within the accepted timescales and progress will continue to be reported through the Area Committee.
Nicholas Harne Assistant City Manager, Housing Strategy and Renewal
Contact Officer : Christopher Dearing Telephone No. : 318247
Officer Interests: None
Background Documents: -
Page 115 of 160
Appendix A, Preston Road Programme Acquisition Phases
Page 116 of 160
Briefing Paper to the People and Communities Overview Wards : All and Scrutiny Commission
24 th September 2015
Homelessness, repossessions and impact of welfare reform
Briefing Paper of the of City Manager Neighbourhoods and Housing
1. Purpose of the Paper and Summary
1.1 This paper provides the quarterly update on repossession activity and impact of welfare reform on rent arrears and homelessness and specifically deals with the request from the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission for an update on progress in relation to homelessness and mental health issues
2. Background
2.1 The paper sets out trends in homelessness to enable the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission to have an overview of homelessness across the city and monitor the impact of welfare reform.
3. Homelessness claims
3.1 Homelessness acceptances per quarter peaked in the middle of 2014/15 with an increase of 18%. In the first quarter of 2015/16, acceptances showed a fall at 65 acceptances compared to the last quarter of 2014/15 with 88 acceptances. The number of acceptances for the first quarter of 2015/16 was around 44% of the level at the first quarter in 2014/15.
3.2 Losing their home due to family and friends no longer being willing to accommodate and termination of short-hold tenancies were the main reasons for people being accepted as homeless. These 2 reasons each accounted for 30% of acceptances. Other significant reasons were violent relationship breakdown (17 %) and non violent breakdown of relationships (12%).Mortgage arrears was the cause of homelessness in only 2 accepted homeless cases during April to June 2015 and no cases were accepted due to rent arrears. Ministry of Justice repossession statistics show nine outright orders for mortgage repossessions and 97 outright orders to landlords (but these may not necessarily have been all due to rent arrears).
3.3 59 out of the 65 households accepted as being statutorily homeless were accepted as being in priority need due to there being children in the household or pregnancy.
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3.4 During April to June 2015, there were 628 approaches for advice. The main reason for people approaching the Council for advice was due to the risk of homelessness as a result of family and friends being unable to accommodate them. This accounted for 24% of approaches.
3.5 18% of approaches during the quarter were due to relationship breakdown (9% non violent and 9% violent breakdown of relationship with partner).
3.6 Termination of assured short hold tenancy accounted for 14% of approaches and 5.5% of approaches were due to rent arrears. A small number of people were referred for mortgage rescue advice or contacted due to mortgage arrears. Around 11% of people approaching the Housing Options Team were referred onto to the Targeted Youth Service in view of their age.
3.7 Appendix 1 provides information on those accepted as statutorily homeless and their prime reason for becoming homeless as well as information about reasons for approach for advice.
3.8 Numbers of rough sleepers increased significantly from 10 (including 2 foreign nationals) in May to 39 (including 8 foreign nationals) in August. The increase may be due to a combination of the better weather and people choosing not to take up a hostel bed. There were enough bed spaces available to accommodate the number of rough sleepers.
In addition the increase may in part be due to more homeless people with ‘no recourse to public funds’ due to changes in benefit eligibility for people from the European Economic Area.
3.9 Homelessness was prevented or relieved on 1371 occasions through a variety of actions by a range of partners during the period April to June 2015; this includes prevention and relief of non statutory homelessness.
4. Homelessness and mental health issues
4.1 Mental health has been a significant concern of the Homelessness Strategy Focus Group and will be reflected in the Homelessness Strategy covering the period to 2021. Access to health services generally and bed blocking in health facilities because people have no home to return to on discharge have been identified as important issues.
4.2 A survey of winter night shelter users in 2013/14 showed that 39% of respondents had mental health problems and the majority of those said they had a formal diagnosis; in spite of that, few felt that they were getting the help they needed.
4.3 An organisation working with homeless people reports that in the last 12 months 46% of new residents has presented with mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, body issues, self harming and bipolar disorder. Also, at one particular site which caters for 16 to 18 year olds, 100% had self harmed within the recent past.
4.4 The Homelessness Strategy Focus Group was provided with the opportunity to comment on the draft specification for enhanced primary care services by Hull Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS England. A concern of the focus group has been the need for access to
Page 118 of 160 2
appropriate health resources that have an understanding of the health issues of homeless people. The work of the City Health Care Partnership in visiting hostels is appreciated.
4.5 Representatives from people working in health organisations attend Homelessness Strategy Focus Group and we hope to build on this in establishing a Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) steering group. The MEAM approach is to develop personalised services for people with complex needs and address them through a partnership approach of all relevant agencies. A MEAM partnership is in the process of being established with invitations to health organisations and it is hoped that this will complement the work of Humbercare’s Centre for Assessment and Emergency Accommodation and Hull HARP’s outreach team. The new Futures building will have space for health staff to use to meet clients. There remain issues about encouraging homeless people, especially street sleepers to use appropriate health services.
4.6 Liaison arrangements are in place between the Homelessness Team and the Humber Foundation Trust’s Crisis Team to reduce bed blocking. Work is in progress to develop a homelessness hospital discharge protocol.
4.7 Housing related support providers supporting homeless people in direct access hostels report the following activities that support mental health.
Riverside Humbercare : William Booth Hull Resettlement Project Current ReNew ~ weekly Sexual health clinic – three Renew ~ weekly Health and drop in. times a week run by a surgery for wellbeing survey nurse residents with with all residents. Conifer House. ~ mental health Weekly drop in. Resident meetings – once a and/or addiction Dedicated link fortnight problems worker, regularly AA Meetings. reviewed support Weekly for general Personalised support plans, 4 weekly star public and sessions – weekly link sessions where customers 24/7 Support for all mental health needs residents are discussed with resident
Work with CAHMS, the Warren, Cat Zero and Renew. Planned Mental health pilot Links with other agencies – starting September basic life skills, budgeting, 2015. education/courses
Joint educational Cat-zero involvement for program with Hull younger residents Adult Education. The aim of the training is to improve customer’s mental health though activities. Training will run until March 2016
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5. Repossession activity by landlords in all tenures
5.1 The Ministry of Justice provides repossession data at local authority level every three months. The latest available data is at 30 th June 2015
5.2 The fact that most possession claims to the courts are made by social landlords is a reflection of the high proportion of social housing in the city. More importantly it is an indicator of the fact that private landlords do not usually have to seek recourse through the courts. Assured short hold tenancies are insecure and landlords have the option to not renew the tenancy at the end of the term.
5.3 Social landlord statistics incorporates local authority and housing associations. The Ministry of Justice does not distinguish between the two when providing figures.
5.4 The following chart shows trends since 2013 using data from Ministry of Justice who present data in calendar years. Therefore the data here is at June 2015 but for Ministry of Justice this is quarter 2. More detail on landlord possessions can be found in Appendix 2.
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 2013 2014 2015
All landlord claims All landlord Outright_Orders Social landlord claims Social Landlord outright orders Social landlords suspended orders
6. Hull City Council tenants’ rent arrears and action taken
6.1 At the end of June there were 7,747 rent arrears cases equating to 32% of all tenants and with a total value of £1.9million. Full details along with previous years’ figures are in Appendix 3.
6.2 The majority of tenants in arrears (88%) owe 7 weeks rent or less. Less than 1% of tenants who are in arrears had been so for more than 26 weeks at the end of June 2015.
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6.3 On the evidence of the first quarter of 2015/16 the rate of evictions appears to be returning to a downward trend.
6.4 The following chart shows trends (by whole financial year) since 2010 and shows that there was an increase in the number of notices served in 2013. Actual figures including the current financial year up to June 2015 are shown in Appendix 3 and this shows that, on the evidence of the first quarter of the current financial year, the number of evictions is back onto a downward trajectory.
Repossession activity by Hull City Council 2010/11 to 2014/15 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15
NOSP/NOPPs served Court orders Evictions
6.5 These long term trends can be compared with the number of evictions month by month from April 2011 onwards as seen in the following chart.
Evictions for Rent Arrears 25
20
15
10
5
0 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014-15 2015-16
7. Impact of welfare reform The table below provides information on the number of HCC tenants affected by the social sector size criteria (also known as the bedroom tax) and the impact on rental payments as at 30 June 2015.
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£ Due £ Paid % Paid
Tenants affected by social 3,404 4,396,584 4,103,224 93.3% sector size criteria % tenants paying in full 46.1% 2,079,828 2,079,817 100.0% % tenants paying partial 51.9% 2,282,173 2,023,406 88.7% % tenants paying none 1.9% 34,582 0 0.0%
Of which :
New* tenants affected by SSSC 849
% tenants paying in full 40.4%
% tenants paying partial 53.9%
% tenants paying none 5.7% * new tenants since start Oct 12
8. Summary and conclusions 8.1 There has been much more intensive work with people in rent arrears with a focus on quality contact. Care is taken to ensure that the agreement between landlord and tenant is based on a realistic arrangement to pay, reducing the chances of the agreement breaking down. Teams have also begun to put more focus on dealing with the debt at an earlier stage but more can still be done by working more closely with other Council services as well as outside agencies.
8.2 Evidence shows, based on the first quarter of the current financial year that evictions are showing early signs of reducing. However, they are likely to increase again once other planned government reforms come into force. These include the freezing of housing benefit rates and the lowering of the household benefit cap.
8.3 The majority of possession claims to the courts are from social landlords. This is a reflection of the relatively high levels of social renting in the city but more importantly it is an outcome of the fact that private landlords do not usually have to proceed to court action in order to terminate a tenancy. Courts are more likely to suspend a possession order made in favour of social landlords as the loss of a lifetime tenancy is a much more significant loss than the ending of a short hold tenancy
Laura Carr City Manager – Neighbourhoods and Housing Contact Officer: Liz Jamil Telephone No. : 01482 615488
Officer Interests: None
Appendices 1. Homelessness trends 2. Summary of landlord possession actions in Hull 2013 to 2015 3. Repossession activity 2007/8 to 2015/6 4. Current arrears trends from 2006 to 2015
Background Documents: - Ministry of Justice Mortgage and landlord repossession statistics
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Appendix 1: Homeless Trends
Apr - Jul – Oct - Jan - Apr - Jul – Oct - Jan - Apr - Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun 13 13 13 14 14 14 14 15 15 Number of cases accepted 96 107 80 65 116 117 90 88 65 Number of cases Intentionally homeless 9 24 6 4 8 9 9 8 8 Number of cases no priority need 64 74 43 51 38 34 35 37 31 Number of cases not homeless 5 8 4 0 0 4 2 2 0 Number of cases ineligible 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0 Apr - Jun 13 Jul - Sep13 Oct - Dec 13 Jan - Mar 14 Apr - Jun 14 Jul - Sep14 Oct - Dec 14 Jan - Mar 15 Apr - Jun 15 Number of cases accepted Number of cases Intentionally homeless Number of cases no priority need Number of cases not homeless Number of cases ineligible
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Reason accepted as Apr - Jul - Oct - Jan - Apr - Jul - Oct - Jan - Apr - homeless and in priority Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sept Dec Mar Jun need 13 13 12 14 14 14 14 15 15 Parents no longer willing or able to accommodate 22 27 14 13 26 28 21 24 16 Other relatives or friends no longer willing or able to accommodate 6 6 4 7 5 8 3 4 4 Non-violent breakdown of relationship with partner 6 11 10 4 9 13 9 5 8
Violent breakdown of relationship, involving partner 22 14 15 13 30 30 20 17 11 Violent breakdown of relationship involving associated persons 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Racially motivated violence 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Other forms of violence 2 1 0 2 4 2 2 1 1
Racially motivated harassment 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Other forms of harassment 2 2 1 0 1 0 1 2 1
Mortgage arrears (repossession or other loss of home) 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 2
Rent arrears on Local authority or other public sector dwellings 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Rent arrears on Registered social landlord or other housing association dwellings 2 0 5 0 1 3 0 1 0 Rent arrears on Private sector dwellings 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 Termination of assured short hold tenancy 25 36 15 19 36 24 29 26 20 Reasons other than termination of assured short hold tenancy 2 4 4 1 1 2 0 1 0 Required to leave accommodation provided by Home Office as asylum support 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 5 1 Left prison/on remand 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Left hospital 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 Left other institution or LA care 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Left HM-Forces 2 3 2 1 0 2 0 0 1 Other reason (e.g. emergency, sleeping rough or in hostel, returned from abroad) 0 1 4 1 0 0 1 0 0 Total 96 107 80 65 116 117 90 88 65
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Reasons for approach Apr - Jul - 0ct - Jan - Apr - Jul - Oct - Jan - Apr - for advice Jun 13 Sep 13 Dec 13 Mar 14 Jun 14 Sep 14 Dec 14 Mar 15 Jun 15 Friends/Relatives unable to 81 66 60 85 65 66 63 98 88 Accommodate Approach Advice 45 41 24 46 45 28 33 30 38 Rent Arrears - Housing 8 2 7 8 7 8 10 6 4 Association Rent Arrears - Private 31 34 36 37 37 49 30 33 31 Sector Harassment - Other 26 21 16 11 15 29 20 13 26
Health Reasons 6 14 13 6 5 12 9 6 8
Local Authority Eviction 2 0 3 1 4 1 1 1 0 Leaving Institutional/LA 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 1 Care Leaving NASS 1 4 6 4 6 7 9 8 9 Accommodation Mortgage Repossession 5 5 5 7 3 0 2 1 1
Flood/Fire & Disaster 1 1 7 2 1 2 1 3 1 Parents Unable to 84 110 82 84 80 93 54 88 65 Accommodate Left/Leaving 11 14 12 11 28 17 11 15 7 Prison/Remand Relationship Breakdown - 86 87 69 81 56 81 52 78 57 Non Violent Rough Sleeper 15 11 9 13 6 17 16 7 15 Termination of AST 108 106 74 85 82 89 73 74 86 Other Termination 27 39 18 28 16 21 14 25 21 Violence - Domestic - 13 10 9 10 9 8 7 8 3 Other Violence - Domestic - 85 74 65 80 83 87 58 74 55 Partner Violence - Racial 0 0 1 6 0 0 1 0 0 Rent Arrears - Local 9 6 9 0 6 6 8 3 2 Authority Harassment - Racial 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 Left/Leaving Hospital 5 8 5 4 5 7 3 7 2 Disrepairs 6 2 10 4 2 4 2 5 2 Violence - Other 5 9 3 8 8 7 6 11 10 Leaving Forces 2 2 3 3 1 2 1 0 2 Affordability 28 28 12 14 9 13 6 17 7 Told to Leave Hostel 15 9 18 12 12 14 6 13 9 Mortgage Rescue advice 8 12 7 10 17 8 4 7 6 Approach to Targeting 66 130 32 102 120 64 72 62 70 Youth Service Total 784 847 615 765 728 742 572 695 628
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Prevention and relief of homelessness Apr - Jul - Oct - Jan - Apr - Jul - Oct - Jan - Apr - Jun Sept Dec Mar Jun Sept Dec Mar Jun Prevented 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 Mediation with family /friends /Home visits 14 26 9 23 5 16 3 13 11 Financial Payments from Prevention fund 10 28 15 7 2 13 3 9 9 Resolving Housing Benefit problems 8 4 8 8 1 7 3 8 3 Resolving rent arrears with Private/social landlord 7 2 2 7 1 4 5 4 1 Sanctuary scheme measures for domestic violence 174 169 211 223 217 199 224 224 186 crisis intervention 3 11 3 2 2 3 4 0 1 Negotiation i.e. with Landlord 15 12 13 9 6 13 7 10 1 Mortgage arrears 2 1 8 4 2 1 0 1 0
Other assistance inc. Major adaptations, Resolving Anti Social behaviour, Tackling disrepair 759 1178 1092 866 914 1028 1152 950 955 Hostel accommodation 64 95 60 82 73 72 53 73 62 Private sector with bond payment from prevention fund 2 4 5 2 5 8 6 6 7 Private sector - No bond 57 47 65 48 38 32 32 20 30 Accommodation arranged with Family friends 11 19 9 19 15 24 18 25 33 Supported accommodation 17 15 0 7 8 13 8 4 4 Management move 8 11 12 1 7 10 14 5 4 Housing register /Successful Housing Association nomination 75 87 81 80 69 51 57 65 64 Reconnection to A8 country 33 - 41 0 0 20 5 3 2 Total cases 1259 1709 1634 1388 1365 1514 1594 1420 1373
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Appendix 2 Summary of Landlord Possession Actions in Hull 2013 to 2015
2013 2014 2015 Court action Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 All landlord Claims 224 242 317 263 303 237 266 210 270 179 Number of possession claims by social landlords 167 171 264 185 228 182 204 149 210 114 Percentage of all claims which are from social landlords 75% 71% 83% 70% 75% 77% 77% 77% 78% 64% Outright Orders 70 99 93 101 136 103 80 102 126 97 Number of outright orders awarded to social landlords 29 42 38 64 75 51 19 61 68 48 Percentage of outright orders made to social landlords 41% 42% 41% 63% 55% 50% 45% 60% 54% 49% Suspended Orders 38 74 61 100 85 78 65 67 101 52 Number of suspended orders to social landlords 38 74 61 100 82 73 65 67 101 52
% of suspended orders made to social landlords 100% 100% 100% 100% 96% 94% 100% 100% 100% 100%
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Appendix 3 Repossession activity from 2007/8 to 2015/16
2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16* NOSP/NOPPS served 2084 2025 2013 2030 1834 2148 3288 2,044 638 Court orders 406 303 351 279 520 465 861 610 162 Evictions 107 67 55 30 74 84 89 121 13 *Figures for one quarter only April to June
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Appendix 4 Current arrears trend from 2007to 2015
No. % in Cases Cases over Value Mean value Cases arrears 0-7 wks 26 wks Jun- 7,747 31.7% £1,914,195 £247 6,826 69 15 Jun- 7,780 31.6% £1,894,557 £244 6,814 72 14 Jun- 8,369 33.7% £1,889,726 £226 7,411 67 13 Jun- 6,469 25.8% £1,520,176 £235 5,578 54 12 Jun- 6,638 26.3% £1,409,882 £212 5,791 55 11 Jun- 6,863 26.0% £1,357,205 £198 5,980 61 10 Jun- 7,415 27.9% £1,514,593 £204 6,412 63 09 Jun- 7,434 27.9% £1,546,730 £208 6,326 63 08 Jun- 7,836 29.0% £1,414,487 £181 6,842 59 07
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Page 130 of 160
Briefing P aper to the People and Communities Overview Wards All and Scrutiny Commission 24/09/ 2015
Aff ordable Warmth Strategy Review
Report of the City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager 1. Purpose of the Report and Summary
1.1 The purpose of the report and accompanying presentation is to provide information to the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission (PCOSC) on fuel poverty and its impacts.
1.2 The PCOSC will also be provided with the evidence that supports the need for a new Affordable Warmth Strategy to address fuel poverty in the city.
1.3 Input is requested from the PCOSC prior to the new strategy being drafted.
2. Background
2.1 The Affordable Warmth Strategy is due for a review. The Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) 1995 recognises Local Authorities’ ability to use their position to improve the energy efficiency of all residential accommodation in their local area. The Affordable Warmth Strategy is integral to the Council’s obligations under HECA.
2.2 The strategy will provide the necessary evidence base and framework which will be used to inform future funding bids and activity to address fuel poverty in the city. I will also provide the basis for working as a strategic partnership.
3. Issues for consideration
3.1 The presentation during the meeting of PCOSC will covers the following:
• What is fuel poverty? • Why an affordable warmth strategy is needed • The strategy timeline • The strategy objectives • Progress against the current strategy • Issues which may impact on the strategy delivery • Fuel poverty funding and awards • Current evidence that supports affordable warmth • Your feedback 3.2 Feedback is requested from the PCOSC on the issues covered by the presentation.
Author: Nneka Ofoegbu-McCourt Page 131 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 1 of 2 4. Conclusion
4.1 It is vital that the affordable warmth strategy is revised to fulfil the Council’s energy efficiency obligations and to strengthen the existing partnerships that promote affordable warmth activities in the city. The current report and accompanying presentation request input from the PCOSC at this early stage before the strategy is drafted.
Laura Carr City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager
Contact Officers: Nic Harne and Liz Jamil Contact Numbers: (61) 5477 and (61) 5488 Officer Interests: None Background Documents: Appendix 1. Affordable Warmth Strategy Update Presentation.
Author: Nneka Ofoegbu-McCourt Page 132 of 160 Status: Final Date: 16/09/2015 Page 2 of 2 Affordable Warmth Strategy Update
Liz Jamil, Strategy and Appraisals Manager, Housing Strategy and Renewal
September 2015
Page 133 of 160 Content • What is fuel poverty? • Why is an affordable warmth strategy needed? • The strategy timeline • The strategy objectives • Progress under the current strategy • Issues that may impact on the strategy • Fuel poverty funding and awards • Current evidence • Your feedback
Page 134 of 160 What is fuel poverty?
‘When a household cannot afford to heat their home to an adequate standard of warmth and meet its other energy needs in order to maintain health and wellbeing’ (UK Health Forum –Butcher, 2014:5).
Page 135 of 160 Why is an affordable warmth strategy needed? • Fuel poverty is a major challenge in Hull as in England and Wales • Fuel poverty is no longer a problem that just affects older people • More families with young children and working age people are in fuel poverty • Properties without cavity walls are more expensive to heat • Residents who cannot afford to heat their homes are forced to live in cold homes
Page 136 of 160 Why is an affordable warmth strategy needed? • Provides a framework for tackling fuel poverty • Links into other city ambitions such as City Plan, Vision 2020 and Climate Local • Identify current and future priorities • Supports partnership working with health, social care and other partners • Supports national fuel poverty strategy and targets • Contributes to fulfilling requirements under the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) • Framework for bi-annual HECA progress reports
Page 137 of 160 Timetable
Action Date Consult Affordable Dec 15 Warmth Partnership Draft strategy Jan 16 completed Consult Area February to March 16 Committees/members of the public Cabinet June 16 Adoption July 16
Page 138 of 160 Strategy objectives
•Sustaining effective partnership working
•Improving energy efficiency of stock
•Maximising Hull Warmzone’s training and referral service
•Energy price support and switching
•Maximising income and improving financial literacy
Page 139 of 160 Existing Partnership arrangements
• Affordable Warmth Partnership meets bi-monthly to review strategy progress • Affordable Warmth Partnership will monitor performance • Hull Warmzone is integral to the partnership in providing ‘HotspotsTraining’ and coordinating referral • Public health, social care and voluntary sector input • Anti-poverty Strategy and Statement are in place • Input from social care ‘See and Solve’
Page 140 of 160 Progress under the existing strategy • Successful procurement of energy efficiency partner (Willmott Dixon) • External Solid Wall Insulation • 890 properties received External Solid Wall Insulation in priority areas. Over 8000 other measures installed since 2011 across the city. • Area-based approach using UNO evidence base to target the most vulnerable • On-going EPC assessments across the city
Page 141 of 160 Progress under the existing strategy
• On-going Hotspots Training and review of ‘Hotspots Training’ • Taking referrals through partnership with frontline agencies • Providing information and support for those on qualifying benefits • New ECO contract secured and Customer Redress Funding • Door knocking service to identify the most vulnerable • Part of Collective Switch - Ready to switch Powered by iChoosr • Targeted support to enable switching
Page 142 of 160 Issues which may impact on Affordable Warmth strategy delivery
• Public spending cuts • Rent reduction for social tenants • Uncertainty over funding for energy efficiency improvements • Welfare reform • Care Act
Page 143 of 160 Funding and Awards Hull Warmzone • ‘Redressing the Balance Funding’- to provide funding for ESWI and heating systems. • New ECO offer with Npower funding worth £4.9m and includes HHCRO funding to provide new heating systems. • Others – ERDF funding bid successful + full business case imminent Grant Finder for Local Government • Grant update weekly Awards • Hull City Council won the Council of the Year Award at the National Green Deal and ECO Awards. • Tricia Welsh awarded Green Deal Champion of the Year Award for Yorkshire & Humber
Page 144 of 160 Current evidence base? Hull population estimates •257,600 people live in Hull – an increase of 0.15% or 400 people from 2011 •Hull population set to increase to 272,000 by 2037 •Trend towards population increase in older people
Page 145 of 160 What does the evidence show? Hull Household Income • Average mean income, based on Experian data (2014) is £25,241(lower than 2011 (£25, 99) and 2013 (£25,440) estimates • Around 31% of households are reported to have an income of less than £15,000 • Average household income is highest in Kings Park ward (£39,343), Bricknell ward (£31, 337), Holderness ward (£30,949) and Avenue ward (£30,560). • Average household income is lowest in Marfleet, Bransholme East and Bransholme West, including Orchard Park and Greenwood
Page 146 of 160 Fuel poverty (2013)
Page 147 of 160 Public health profile of Hull 2014
Indicator Local value England value
Deprivation 51.6 20.4
Long term unemployment 32.6 9.9
Children in poverty 31.5 19.2
Life expectancy at birth 76.6 79.4 (male) Life expectancy at birth 80.7 83.1 (female) Under 75 mortality rate 102.8 78.2 (cardiovascular) Excess Winter Deaths[1] 21.6 16.5 (EWDs)
Page 148 of 160 Questions / Feedback
Page 149 of 160
Page 150 of 160
Report to the Cabinet
Wards : All 28 September 2015
Proposal to tender for the Gateway Protection Programme 2016 -20 20
Report of the City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager
This is a Non-Key Decision
1. Purpose of the Report and Summary
1.1 This report seeks approval to tender with the Home Office to provide Gateway support for resettled refugee families for the period 2016 to 2020.
2. Recommendations
2.1 That authority be given to submit a tender for Grant Funding to the Home Office in conjunction with Sheffield City Council and the Refugee Council and if successful, entering to a contract to resettle 90 refugees each year for the period 2016 to 2020.
3. Reasons for Recommendations
3.1 Hull has a rich heritage in helping people who are in danger of harm and persecution. Resettlement provides refugees with legal and physical protection, including access to civil, political, social and cultural rights similar to those enjoyed by nationals. Also, to enter into a contract with the Home Office to continue to resettle refugees provides the infrastructure to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis should the Council wish to do so.
4. Impact on other Executive Committees (including Area Committees)
4.1 Housing is sourced across the city and support is provided to ensure that refugee households are successfully integrated into local communities
Author: Page 151 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 1 of 7
5. Background
5.1 The Council has been directly involved in the Gateway Protection Programme since 2010. In 2011, the Council’s Refugee Service, in partnership with Sheffield City Council and the Refugee Council was successful in tendering with the Home Office for a further three year contract. This provided that 90 refugees per year be resettled in Hull with the Council offering housing support and the Refugee Council offering welfare support. The contract was again extended to run from April 2014 to March 2016.
5.2 The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund ((AMIF) which replaces the previous European Refugee, Integration and Returns Fund) which was initially due to come into force on 1 January 2014 is now due to come into force by April 2016. The initial plan for the Gateway Programme was to run a further tender exercise to select organisations to deliver the pre and post arrival services over the next three years. However, due to the continued EU delays this had not been possible, until now. The Home Office is now asking local authorities to consider tendering for another contract to provide accommodation and support to resettle refugees, for 3 years, (covering arrivals between April 2016 to March 2019, plus a further twelve month housing support service up to March 2020). This would mean that an additional 90 people (approx 30 households) being resettled in the city for each of the 3 years in addition to the 90 people under the current extended contract. The Home Office has indicated that as with the current contract the funding will cover expenditure in full .
6. Issues for Consideration
6.1 Additional households
The proposed tender would be for approximately 90 individuals, each year, for 3 years, and it is expected that households will be from the countries typically being supported to date- that is Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo. What may change is the pattern of household size to include more single person households and smaller family sizes rather than large families, which will have implications for the type of properties to be utilised. One of the factors here is the benefit cap which impacts on the level of benefits the larger families receive.
Author: Page 152 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 2 of 7 6.2 Asylum seekers in Hull
As further context, in addition to refugee households, currently 322 individuals living in 92 private rented sector properties are accommodated in the city through the Home Office contract with G4S.
6.3 Regional position for asylum seekers
In terms of regional position within the Yorkshire and Humber area, Hull still remains one of 10 regional dispersal areas for asylum seekers, since 2000. The 10 areas are: Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, Rotherham, Sheffield and Wakefield. G4S are the current accommodation providers for the region. 6.4 Resources to deliver
The housing team comprises of 4 team members all of whom are funded from the grant. There would be no need to increase resources 6.5 Timescales
Tendering will take place in the autumn and the new contract would commence from April 2016 with arrivals up to March 2019, with one year support meaning the end point of the new contract would be the end of March 2020.
7. 7.1 Consultation with other services/ agencies
The views of Health and Education.
• Education supports the recommendation that the Council participates with Sheffield City Council and the Refugee Council for the resettlement of up to 90 refugees per year through the Gateway Programme. Under the current contract there has not been an issue in terms of school places but thought should be given to placements in a wider range of areas in the city to help schools to build capacity and experience of educating EAL children.
• Public Health supports the recommendation that the Council participates with Sheffield City Council and the Refugee Council for the resettlement of refugees through the Gateway Programme. They work closely with the Quays Medical Practice who are used to dealing with vulnerable groups including working with asylum seekers and the homeless .
8. 8.1 Risks
The new contract carries additional risks in terms of monitoring and payment in arrears. It will also be undertaken in a period of continued austerity. There is likely to be a greater demand for smaller Council properties for these arrivals as a result of the benefit cap and private Author: Page 153 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 3 of 7 sector partner landlords having less available stock.
However, if the decision is not to tender and the Home Office cannot secure sufficient accommodation through Local Authorities, they may choose to contract with the private sector both in Hull and elsewhere (as with the current asylum contract). This could result in the Council having little control over the pattern of resettlement in the city with private providers possibly having less knowledge and experience of local needs, cohesion issues and prevailing housing conditions. However, our understanding is that local authority approval must be sought for the programme to operate in the city, by any provider.
If we do not tender then we are likely to be faced with redundancy for the four staff and an impact on the education team.
9. Comments of the Town Clerk (Monitoring Officer)
9.1 At this stage the authorisation is limited to authority to submit a tender. If the tender is successful Legal Advice will be required on the proposed terms 10. Comments of the Section 151 Officer
10.1 The City Treasurer notes the report and would be supportive of submitting a tender for this work that covers the costs of providing the service in full. As the report points out, should we not tender then there is the risk of being left with a number of staff (& concomitant redundancy costs) and the impacts of dealing with another provider could lead to other costs for the Council.
11. Comments of HR City Manager and compliance with the Equality Duty
11.1 There are no staffing issues if the tender goes ahead. If the tender does not go ahead this will put 4 staff at risk of redundancy. Supporting refugees to resettle brings greater diversity to the city.
12. Comments of Overview and Scrutiny
12.1 This report is due to be considered by the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission on Thursday, 24 September, 2015. Any comments or recommendations agreed by the Commission will be tabled at October Cabinet for consideration. (Sc4553)
13. Comments of the Portfolio Holder for Learning, Skills, Safeguarding and Community Cohesion
13.1 I am proud of the work that Hull City Council has been involved in with the Gateway Protection Programme to date. Our commitment to the programme has led to the provision of a safe haven in the city for many
Author: Page 154 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 4 of 7 people with designated UN refugee status and their families. The Programme is fully funded by the Home Office, and well managed by our staff. I fully support the recommendation in 2.1 to tender for the contract to resettle further refugee families in the period 2016-2020.
14, Comments of the Portfolio Holder for City Plan Enabler Council Infrastructure including Housing and Waste Management 14.1 I support the recommendations of the Gateway Programme which has operated successfully for a number of years and provided accommodation and support for many desperate families fleeing persecution and insecurity in their homelands.
Laura Carr, City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager
Contact Officer: Dave Barnett Telephone No.: 613193
Officer Interests: None
Background Documents: - A list of background documents must be included. These documents are then available (if not exempt) for public inspection.
Author: Page 155 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 5 of 7 Implications Matrix
This section must be completed and you must ensure that you have fully considered all potential implications
This matrix provides a simple check list for the things you need to have considered within your report
If there are no implications please state
I have informed and sought advice from HR, Yes Legal, Finance, Overview and Scrutiny and the Climate Change Advisor and any other key stakeholders i.e. Portfolio Holder, relevant Ward Members etc prior to submitting this report for official comments I have considered whether this report Yes requests a decision that is outside the Budget and Policy Framework approved by Council Value for money considerations have been Yes accounted for within the report
The report is approved by the relevant City Yes Manager I have included any procurement/commercial Yes issues/implications within the report
I have considered the potential media Yes interest in this report and liaised with the Media Team to ensure that they are briefed to respond to media interest. I have included any equalities and diversity Yes implications within the report and where necessary I have completed an Equalities Impact Assessment and the outcomes are included within the report Any Health and Safety implications are Yes included within the report Any human rights implications are included Yes within the report I have included any community safety Yes implications and paid regard to Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act within the report I have liaised with the Climate Change Yes Advisor and any environmental and climate change issues/sustainability implications are Author: Page 156 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 6 of 7 included within the report
I have included information about how this Yes report contributes to the City Plan/ Area priorities within the report
Author: Page 157 of 160 Status: Date: 16/09/2015 Page 7 of 7
Page 158 of 160 OUTSTANDING ACTIONS 2014-15 AND 2015-16 People & Communities Overview and Scrutiny Commission
LEAD OFFICER: CHAIR: Andy Brown (Laura Councillor Carr/Tracy Harsley/Andy Craker Burton)
Commission Reason for submission and actions (the reason for submission should be Action/Decision Agenda Items Outcome/Update Info RAG Date specified in the level 1 cell, action in level 2 cells) Allocation Continuation of the 12/03/2015 Citywide Empty Homes To consider the report and make recommendations to Cabinet. Programme (2015-18) Sept 2015 - Funding has been secured to fully-fund external solid wall insulation for private sector properties in some streets in Newington Ward. In terms of a citywide approach for owners it is highly unlikely that there will be an attractive That the options available to owner occupiers are provided to Members of this funding offer available for all owner occupiers especially since A Laura Carr Commission outside of the meeting. the abolition of Green Deal finance, although the new government’s approach to ECO funding is awaited. The Council will continue to seek funding for improvements and to support private owners but as previously reported the funding climate remains very uncertain. Petition - Avenues Adult 23/04/2015 To consider the petition and make recommendations to Cabinet. Education Centre Sept 2015 - Property & Assets is preparing an update report for Cabinet on the 26 October. The report need to be That this Commission consider the proposals for the future use of the Avenues considered by Scrutiny for comment in order that any feedback A Dave Bennett Adult Education Centre when they are finalised before it is submitted to Cabinet. can be included in the report before it is considered by Cabinet. Community Safety 23/04/2015 To consider the report and make recommendations to Cabinet. Partnership Strategy Sept 2015 - The Superintendant will be attending a future Tracy That the Commission receive an update on the programme being undertaken meeting to present on violent crime and this will be included A Harsley/Superinte with the pilot schools. within his presentation. ndant R Kirven
(1) That any possibilities for using Council land for growing food are made Food, Fuel & Finance - Land available to community groups and the public. (2) That the development of 11/06/2015 and Growing Theme the City Plan be used to ensure mapping of food-land use and food groups/organisations. North Carr – On agenda for meeting 16th September; West – On draft agenda for 21st October, awaiting confirmation from Chair at briefing on 15th September; Park – On draft Agenda for 28th October, awaiting confirmation from Chair at briefing That all Area Committee Chairs are asked to consider at a future Area on 23rd September. Wyke July recommended: That the Wyke Nikki Committee meeting whether they may have land in their ward that could be put Area Committee notes the referral and makes the suggestion A Stocks/Dorinda forward for residents to grow food. that the permissive licence which allows the public to ask the Guy council to use parcels of land for the purpose of growing food be circulated to all Members citywide and that additional information be included in newsletters and other publications for the benefit of the public.
City Manager Presentation - CitySafe (to include an update on Clare’s Law - The To update the Commission on current/key issues and for members to Domestic Abuse Disclosure 23/07/2015 identify matters to be considered, and raise questions and issues on the Scheme) (to include an presentation, that may lead to further work being undertaken. update on Reducing Page 159 of 160 Reoffending City Plan Project) That the Domestic Violence Service considers using Ward Newsletters to raise No update received. A Vicki Paddison awareness. That the Domestic Violence Service asks the Health Service to fund a hospital No update received. A Vicki Paddison based domestic violence position. Food, Fuel & Finance - (1) That the Commission continue to monitor the ongoing marketing and Saving Fuel, Saving Money uptake of the "Hull Switch". (2) That the Commission continue to monitor 23/07/2015 (to include an update on the success of the Green Deal promotions. (3) That the Commission Community Energy continue to monitor the progress of "Smart Meters" in the city. (4) That the Switching City Plan Project) Commission continue to monitor alternative forms of fuel. That collective energy switching offers are explored and a contract is in place to No update received. A Andy Brown start in October 2015. That the Council do not target elderly people to advise them to cut down on fuel. No update received. A Andy Brown That the Commission be informed, outside of the meeting, whether the green deal performance is considered good and whether £2.8 million is a sufficient No update received. A Tricia Welsh amount of funding. To enable the Commission to establish whether there are any areas of 23/07/2015 Supported Housing concern. That Members of this Commission receive, outside of the meeting, a list of Laura Carr/Mark Emailed 15.09.15 A supported accommodation providers within the City. Bell That the Housing Benefit Fraud Team confirm if anything can be done in terms of No update received. A Andy Brown care no longer required still being received. Sept 2015 - Adult Social Care does monitor supported housing which is commissioned through Adult Social Care. Support That the Adult Social Care Service confirms whether this area is monitored as a not commissioned through ASC would not be subject to a A Alison Barker safeguarding adult’s issue. monitoring review however, if there are concerns with regards to individuals were abuse/harm is a concern, this will be addressed through the safeguarding process. Lobby through the Local Government Association that exempt accommodation Confirm recommendation at Sept meeting. A Cherie Wiles should be subject to review through CQC or similar. Provision of the Hull Advice 23/07/2015 To consider the report and make recommendations to Cabinet. Service That Cabinet do not make the proposed reduction in budgets to the Hull Advice Service. That the Council investigate further the Kirklees Council model, which supports the Customer Enablement Programme and Digital by Default agenda, Report to be considered at Cabinet 28th September A Laura Scholes and if viable procure the self-service tool that will allow the service to make future savings. Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal To ensure Scrutiny has the opportunity to input early into policy 23/07/2015 Strategy and the Preventing development. Homelessness Strategy (Consultation) That ward maps and data be circulated to the relevant ward members for consideration of streets or areas that should be included in any future No update received. A Laura Carr neighbourhood renewal projects. PERFORMANCE MONITORING OF CITY 23/07/2015 To review the City Plan Priority 3 indicators. PLAN MEASURES FOR Q4 OF 2014-15 That the Commission discuss with the Portfolio Holders, at their next meeting, the current performance measures within the ‘help residents to make their money To be discussed at Sept meeting. A Cherie Wiles go further’ theme of the City Plan to ascertain whether these are the most appropriate measures.
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