Agenda item

Executive Business Report

Report of the Leader of the Council, attached. 

Minutes:

The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted setting out the details of the business undertaken by the Executive.

 

The Leader and the Cabinet made statements and responded to questions.

 

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1

 

1.  Pavement Parking

 

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Rayment

 

The Pavement parking, especially in our district centres and around some of our schools, can be a hazard to pedestrians and make walking and cycling impossible in places. Why aren't you using the powers available to you to introduce TRO's, to allow the Council to then control and solve this problem?

 

Answer

 

While it is theoretically possible to implement footway parking bans, there is a cost to processing the Traffic Regulation Order and implementing the required signing. The Council would have to justify why it was doing this at some locations and not others and the overall cost of implementing a footway ban across the entire city would be prohibitive.

 

The Government’s Transport Committee is currently carrying out a further investigation into footway parking to identify a national solution. The latest information on this is available via the link below;

 

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/pavement-parking-17-19/

 

Update – The Transport Committee published its report on Monday 9th September 2019.

 

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/news-parliament-2017/pavement-parking-report-published-17-19/

 

2.  Annual Weed Control

 

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Hammond

 

 

 

 

 

Answer

 

Due to some issues with the procurement of the contract, the contract for the weed spraying was not released on time and the first spray of the year was subsequently delayed.

 

The contract is in place for 3 years from May 2019 

 

Using underspends, we’ve employed temporary staff to prioritise and manually dig out weeds from the highways and footpaths to clear the backlog.

 

3.  District Heat Schemes

 

Councillor S Galton to Councillor Leggett

 

What importance do you place on installing district heat schemes in new Council housing developments?

 

Answer

 

All new Council housing developments are looked at individually and solutions are based on a case by case basis. For Townhill Park and Potters Court developments it was decided there was an environmental and business case to install communal or district heating to parts of the new development. As district heating normally feeds a number of properties using a single or a few heat generators it will reduce losses that would be experienced by each property having an individual heat generator.

 

4.  Impact on Local Air Quality

 

Councillor S Galton to Councillor Leggett

 

What initiatives have you introduced since becoming the Cabinet Member for Green City and what quantitative impact have they had on local air quality?

 

Answer

 

Verbal Response provided at the meeting.

 

It was not possible to deliver initiatives without support from other Cabinet Members and Officers.  The following initiatives have been achieved:-

·  October 2018, launched CitizEn Energy a not for profit energy company which has reduced the City’s carbon footprint by over 1500 tonnes in the last year:

·  Clean Air Strategy had been reviewed and refreshed and is now target driven and had received an additional  £1.8m funding from Government to support extra measures around buses, taxis, HGVs & sustainable model shift;

 

5.  Park and Ride

 

Councillor Laurent to Councillor Rayment

 

What plans are in place for a Park and Ride facility for Southampton?

 

Answer

 

The development of strategic Park & Ride (P&R) sites in Southampton is identified in the Council’s new Local Transport Plan 4 - Connected Southampton 2040.  P&R is also one of the components of the Southampton Mass Transit System designed to create a step-change in public transport in the city to continue to increase the number of people travelling by public transport. 

 

P&R is a component of the joint SCC and HCC submission to the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).  The approach in TCF is for an initial weekend/events only service from the Nursling (Bargain Farm) to serve the City Centre as well as supporting the continuation of a service to Southampton General Hospital. TCF would support the delivery of P&R at Bargain Farm with off-site highways works such as bus priority and necessary facilities to make the site publically available. TCF would also allow opportunities for P&R to be developed in the east of the city in the vicinity of Bitterne possibly linked to the development of the Bitterne Hub.

 

The focus for Southampton City Council is to secure external funding such as TCF to support the infrastructure requirements to deliver a successful P&R as well as working with key partners in the city such as the local bus operators, to harness existing high frequency bus corridors and work with key demand drivers such as the University Hospitals Southampton (UHS) NHS Trust, ABP, and the two universities.

 

In January 2019 UHS Trust started the operation of a temporary P&R facility from Adanac Park, adjacent to Bargain Farm on the western side of Adanac Drive, to the main Southampton General Hospital (SGH) campus and SCC has been supporting the hospital in the planning of this.  This temporary facility is specifically for Hospital staff to address a parking shortfall and pressures for staff parking at the main SGH campus.  A planning application is currently under consideration by SCC and TVBC for the Health Campus and permanent P&R facility to continue to serve SGH, which SCC is supportive of.  A Transport Assessment (TA) has been prepared and this demonstrates that the site accesses to the Bargain Farm site is able to accommodate the development and P&R traffic.

 

Alongside the continued support to the hospital in developing its P&R plans, the Council now awaits the decision from the DfT on the funding TCF announcement, which is expected in early 2020.

 

6.  Removal of wrecks at Northam Bridge

 

Councillor Harwood to Councillor Hammond

 

At the July council the leader agreed to look at ways the council could lead on the removal of the wrecks around Northam Bridge. Can he update me on the progress?

 

Answer

 

Officers have investigated the matter and the part of the river where the wrecks are not on Council Land and therefore unfortunately the Council has no ownership or enforcement powers it can use. Officers will be contacting the Crown Commissioners to find out what their plans are, if any, to remove any wrecks. The Leader has spoken to both British Marine and Premier Marinas who suffer the same difficult issues on their sites and waterways.

 

7.  New Homes Model

 

Councillor Prior to Councillor Kaur

 

Will the Cabinet Member explain why the successful model adopted at Hinkler Road, in my ward, for delivery of new homes has not been taken forward across the city to increase the development of housing?

 

Answer

 

The approach that was used in Hinkler Road Parade (now Hinkler Place) Thornhill was to go out to tender for developers to provide homes and retail units on council land. Some of these homes were affordable and none of these homes became council homes. A similar approach has been taken on other council owned Parade sites, for example Exford Avenue. 

 

While our priority is to deliver council owned homes, we continue to work with partners, including Housing Associations to bring more homes to the city. For example, Sovereign was appointed at Brownhill, where construction is underway for 29 homes which are a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership.

 

8.  Mixed Tenure Housing

 

Councillor Prior to Councillor Kaur

 

Can the Cabinet Member advise her position on the development of mixed tenure housing in the city and confirm that future council owned developments will deliver this?

 

Answer

 

The Council will bring forward developments that help meet our housing need and address gaps left by private sector delivery.  This will include mixed tenure housing.

 

9.  Rent Arrears

 

Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Kaur

 

Can the Cabinet Member explain why the Council’s rent arrears are so high?

 

Answer

 

Southampton City Council rent arrears have increased by 2.89% since 2017 alongside other local authorities who have also seen a rise in rent arrears due to Universal Credit, which was rolled out in Southampton in February 2017.

 

Research (Safe as Houses and Safe as Houses 2) has been done by The Smith Institute on the impact of Universal Credit on local authority rent arrears which has concluded there is a direct correlation. Prior to the introduction of Universal Credit rent was paid directly to the council from Housing Benefit. As more people move onto Universal Credit (UC) less money comes directly to the council as it goes direct to the claimant. This makes it harder to collect rent.

 

In response, Southampton City Council continues to review its collections policy which has included an increased use of Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs) coupled with changed working practices in the Customer Payment and Debt team. This has seen a gradual increase in rent collection. 

 

We will continue to identify vulnerable tenants at risk of arrears and monitor best practice in this area, so we can evolve our collections policy accordingly.

 

10.Delivery of New Homes

 

Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Kaur

 

Can the Cabinet Member tell us what year she intends the Townhill Park Regeneration Scheme will be completed and overall how many new nett homes will be delivered?

 

Answer

 

The long stop date for completion of all building is March 2030, this is part of an agreement with Homes England. The council intend to identify opportunities that would result in the overall development being completed in advance of this date. 

 

As reported previously to council the net gain is anticipated to be at least 240 homes.

 

11.Care Assessments

 

Councillor White to Councillor Fielker

Since the Independent reports into SCC care assessments were published in the early part of this year (Ref CM’s response to a question in August) what % of assessments have been updated, both for financial and Care?

 

Answer

 

Since the findings were published, the Principal Social Worker for Adults has been working with social work teams to improve the quality of care assessments through a training and professional development programme.

 

All financial assessments were updated in May 2019, and since then 20% have had a further update.  Since May, 31% of care assessments have been updated.

 

12.Disability Related Expenses

 

Councillor White to Councillor Fielker

 

How many care users have claimed Disability Related Expenses (DRE) following the imposition of the new charges?  Also what guidance has been given to assist claimants with regard to DRE’s?

 

Answer

 

Between implementation of the policy on 6 May 2019 and 31 August 2019, 99 care users have claimed an allowance for Disability Related Expenditure (DRE). The policy applies only to non-residential care (such as home care and supported living).

 

Following implementation, the council wrote to all clients who contribute to the cost of their non-residential care (or their billing representatives) with an easy read guide, a DRE application form and a form to advise the council if any of their finances had changed. These were sent to 405 clients and 335 billing representatives. Home visits are also available.

 

A meeting for carers hosted by Southampton Mencap was also held at which guidance on the DRE process was shared with carers and agencies.

 

13.Increase in Care Charges

 

Councillor White to Councillor Fielker

 

What is the average increase in care charges in both % and actual amounts? And what is the maximum increase in % and actual amounts?

 

Answer

 

The maximum possible increase due to the policy change related to the higher rate of disability benefits is £30.35 per week. Some clients have seen greater increases because their income has changed or now receive larger care packages.

 

The average increase for non-residential care following implementation of the policy is £11.91 per week (18%) (from £65.49 per week to £77.40 per week).

 

The largest increase has been £120.28 per week (from £7.22 per week to £127.50 per week). This was unrelated to the change in policy and was due to a significant increase in the person’s income.

 

14.Increased Care Charges

 

Councillor White to Councillor Fielker

 

Last Full Council the Cabinet Member indicated that help was available to those who could not afford the increased Care Charges.  How many people have been helped and what information has been circulated about this help?

 

Answer

 

The help available is through the administration of disability related expenditure (DRE), which is deducted from the client contribution. Since 6 May 2019, the council has received 99 applications for DRE, of which 36 have been determined, 35 are under consideration and in 28 cases we are working with people to collate the information that is needed.

 

Where appropriate, the Financial Assessment and Benefits Team give advice on maximising income, as part of the financial assessment process.

 

Following implementation, the council wrote to all clients who contribute to the cost of their non-residential care (or their billing representatives) with an easy read guide, a DRE application form and a form to advise the council if any of their finances had changed. These were sent to 405 clients and 335 billing representatives. Home visits are also available.

 

A meeting for carers hosted by Southampton Mencap was also held at which guidance on the DRE process was shared with carers and agencies.

 

15.Foster Carers

 

Councillor J Baillie to Councillor Paffey

 

Can the Cabinet Member confirm if we are still facing a shortage in foster carers? And if so how is the Council going about recruiting more?

 

There continues to be a shortage of foster carers locally but also nationally. This shortage is exacerbated by the increase in the challenges foster carers are facing which is currently making it harder to attract sufficient numbers of people to become foster carers.

 

The Council has an ongoing fostering campaign, and is looking to ensure the support provided to carers as well as the financial package are attractive. We are currently launching a specific project to recruit "Tier 4" foster carers who can provide specialised placements for children with complex needs. We will be investing additional resource to fund wrap-around support through an additional psychologist and mental health social workers.

 

16.Travellers

 

Councillor Bell to Cllr Rayment

 

Can the Cabinet Member confirm what is being done to prevent the recent issues caused by the travellers on the Veracity ground from occurring elsewhere in the city?

 

Answer

 

A key element in the prevention of antisocial behaviour occasioned by unauthorised encampments relies on effective enforcement of the (recently updated) Council policy which balances the interests of local residents and the travelling population.

 

Any unauthorised encampment reported to the Council is considered on its own merits against criteria such as health and safety issues affecting unauthorised campers, traffic hazards, public health risks, serious environmental damage, and genuine nuisance to neighbours and proximity to other sensitive land-uses.

 

On receiving an initial notification of an unauthorised encampment, the Council will follow procedures as outlined in the policy including contact with relevant stakeholders (e.g. the Police and the relevant owner or manager of the land) notifying them of it the unauthorised encampment.

 

Where the unauthorised encampment is on council owned land, we will undertake a visit including checks that take into consideration (a) whether there are any risks associated with the encampment such as traffic hazards, proximity to sensitive sites and antisocial behaviour issues (b) health, welfare and housing needs of any individuals; (c) educational needs of any children; (d) whether any individuals are vulnerable or disabled; and (e) what facilities are available to individuals occupying the encampment (such as refuse, water and toilet facilities).

 

The Council may serve notice on individuals occupying the site to move. If the site is not vacated within the period set out, the Council may then take legal action to evict individuals occupying the site.  This will be taken by the relevant Authorising Officer, as set out in the officer scheme of delegation in line with Council policies.

 

Where there are unauthorised encampments on private land, it is the responsibility of the private landowner to take action to remove trespassers and to deal with any environmental risk or nuisance relating to unauthorised encampments on private land. The landowner is responsible for meeting the costs of any action taken.

 

Upon notification of an encampment on private land, the Council will liaise with the landlord, including seeking permission to enter the land to undertake checks where necessary.  If a safeguarding concern is identified, the Council may take remedial action to limit or remove the concern.

 

In some circumstances, the Council may consider taking action to deal with any items or substances deposited on land which cause harm or nuisance to public health or the environment. In such cases the Council will seek the encampment landowner’s permission and cooperation, and seek to recover all costs.

 

If any significant risk is identified (including risks to the individuals occupying the unauthorised encampment, local residents or otherwise), Southampton City Council will report the site to Hampshire Constabulary. In practice, there are good local arrangements for sharing intelligence about encampments with neighbourhood police teams at the earliest opportunity and notifying the relevant landowner. We advise members of public and staff to report instances of antisocial behaviour to the police non-emergency number 101.

 

Enforcement activity in relation to the management of unauthorised encampments is undertaken in line with the City Council’s Enforcement Policy.

 

Many sites under SCC control have already been target hardened with bunding or other barriers to prevent unauthorised access.  For example, the common and Freemantle Common and Peartree Common.

 

Some of the land that we have recently taken action on is leased to Active Nation and we encourage those partners that have leased our land to take the same actions.

 

17.Staff Sickness

 

Councillor Hannides to Councillor Hammond

 

Can the Leader advise Council on the current monthly costs of our staff sickness?

 

Answer

 

Governance Committee receive regular reports and data around sickness absence; HR work with management teams to identify trends and address hot spot areas and issues. The Chief Executive will be happy to have a conversation with Councillor Hannides in respect of the issue.

 

18.Door Mat Policy

 

Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Kaur

 

Can the Cabinet Member update full Council on the outcomes of your policy review on door mats and on what date we will be moving to a new approach?

 

Answer

 

Further to the review, while we still encourage all tenants to assess the risks before having items in communal areas, only tenants living in tower blocks and some supported housing schemes will now be asked to remove items such as doormats. 

 

This managed approach took effect immediately.

 

Tenants have been made aware of the outcome and ward councillors have been informed on how this affects their ward moving forward.

 

19.Increase in Education Funding

 

Councillor J Baillie to Councillor Paffey

 

Does the Executive welcome the new increase in education funding?

 

Answer

 

Verbal Response provided at the meeting.

 

The Executive welcomed the new increase in education funding along with schools in the City which was long overdue, the detail of which was still awaited.  The Executive did express its disappointment in the very little increase in further education funding which would not meet the funding needs per pupil, as well the lack of any additional funding for Adult Education.

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: