Agenda and minutes

Councillor Azad Choudhry – leave

Councillor Rosemary Healy – work commitments

Councillor Marcia Watson – unwell

None.

Temporary Accommodation without Cooking Facilities

Ms A R asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing and Heritage:

In the last 2 years, how many people have been accommodated by the Council in the Stage Hotel or other emergency accommodation without access to cooking facilities in? How many children have been housed in temporary accommodation for longer than 8 weeks? What is the longest period that a person (with or without children) has been housed in temporary accommodation without cooking facilities in the last 2 years?

Councillor Jane Urquhart replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor, and thank you to the member of the public who raised this question, which seeks to shed light on the present homelessness crisis in our country and our city. People will see from the motion on the agenda for today’s meeting, that this is an issue which Nottingham takes seriously, and one which we’re appalled by. We share a sense of outrage, that in our city, people should have to be accommodated in unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation. I am aware that this question was submitted very shortly before the last Council meeting, and in that space of time it wasn’t possible to collate the information, so apologies that we weren’t able to answer it then, but we are after the amount of time we needed to collate the information able to answer now.

Councils up and down the country are working hard to deal with increasing levels of homelessness, and Nottingham is not alone in finding itself struggling to find temporary accommodation for households who present with nowhere to stay. A recent report by the National Audit Office states that the record rise in the use of temporary accommodation is due to the Government’s welfare reforms and the broken housing market. The use of temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts is never a good long term solution – either for the families housed or for the councils making those decisions. Two years ago, this Council did not use bed and breakfast accommodation, and had not done so for some time. We are working hard to get back to this position by finding better, longer-term solutions.

In recent months, we have been able to reduce the number of households in bed and breakfast accommodation by 64%. That still means though, that we have 50 households in B&B accommodation, and that is 50 too many. So we are working hard with our partners to reduce that figure to zero, and we will say more about that of course in the debate later. Over the past two years, 1102 households have been placed in bed and breakfasts in order to meet our statutory duties towards them. This includes a number of single person households, and many of them are placed into bed and breakfasts as an emergency temporary measure to meet our commitment that no one need sleep rough in Nottingham. Our No Second Night Out policy means that we do  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

Councillor Steve Battlemuch presented a petition on behalf of 140 signatories asking for the Council to consider building a skate park and bmx track at Wollaton Park.

The minutes of the meetings (ordinary and Extraordinary) held on 13 November 2017 were confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

The Chief Executive reported the following:

Nottingham Station Fire

On Friday 12 January, emergency services tackled a significant fire at Nottingham Train Station, which started in the concourse before spreading to the roof. It is a tribute to the tireless work of the emergency services, East Midlands Trains, Network Rail, and our own Council staff that the station was reopened on Saturday morning with services able to resume so quickly. I am proud of the team effort stakeholders in the city displayed over the past week and we will continue to work together to determine the precise level of work needed at the station in the coming months.

Councillor Brian Grocock, Chair of the Fire Authority, also commended the hard work of all parties involved.

Nottingham Heritage Action Zone

Nottingham was chosen as one of the first ‘Heritage Action Zones’ by Historic England earlier this year and is the largest nationally with a programme of 17 projects transforming the historic heart of the city for citizens and visitors, helping to boost tourism and create jobs.

The largest projects are the conservation area grant schemes in Old Market Square, Lace Market and Sneinton Market Conservation Areas, which will invest nearly £2m in the historic environment of the City Centre in a partnership between NCC, Historic England and businesses.

Children’s Care Homes in Nottingham

I am pleased to report that all of our internal Council Children’s Homes, including our short breaks unit, have been judged ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Following the inspections, Ofsted reported that all aspects of safeguarding are very well implemented and as a result, young people in Nottingham are kept safe from potential harm. Resilient and committed staff continue to provide high standards of care for young people in Nottingham, regardless of the challenges they face.

Centenary Cities: 100 Years of Votes for Women

Nottingham City Council, in partnership with local women’s organisations has been granted funding from the Government Equalities Office to commemorate the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which granted the vote to some British women for the first time in national elections.

In collaboration with the Nottingham Women’s History Group, Nottingham Women’s Centre and The Party Somewhere Else, Nottingham City Council submitted a successful bid for some of this funding (£17,850 in total). The money will be used to plan and deliver a series of events and activities throughout the year. Activities will range across the themes of art, community, history and politics and will aim to reach as many of the city’s diverse communities as possible.

Former Councillor Eunice Timson

It is with sadness that I inform you of the death of former councillor Eunice Timson who was elected as a Conservative councillor on 6 May 1976 to represent the Byron Ward, and represented the ward until 1980. Her funeral was held on 28 December at Gedling Crematorium.

Councillor Georgina Culley

Finally, it is with great sadness that I inform Council that Councillor Georgina Culley, leader of the Conservative group, passed away on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

None.

Robin Hood Energy Results

Councillor Jim Armstrong asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Energy and Sustainability:

Can the Portfolio Holder offer reassurance to the customers of Robin Hood Energy that its recent results will have no effect on ongoing supply?

Councillor Dave Liversidge replied as follows:

Thank you Councillor Armstrong, I certainly can.

Evicted Nottingham City Homes Tenants

Councillor Jim Armstrong asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing and Heritage:

Can the Portfolio Holder comment on what steps the City Council takes to ensure that tenants evicted from properties managed by Nottingham City Homes do not become homeless?

Councillor Jane Urquhart replied as follows:

Thank you Councillor Armstrong. Of course, as will become clear from the debate that we have later on in the agenda, the largest cause of homelessness both locally in Nottingham and nationally, is through eviction from private rented homes; eviction from socially rented houses makes a very small contribution, both nationally and locally. However, even though it’s a very small part of the homelessness picture in Nottingham, Nottingham City Homes and Nottingham City Council have in place a protocol to manage the risk that tenants evicted from Nottingham City Homes properties might become homeless. This involves close working between officers within relevant departments and early intervention to prevent tenants getting into problems in the first place.

It is, of course, important that Nottingham City takes action when tenants are unwilling to pay their rent, or when their behaviour breaks their tenancy agreement. But it is, of course, equally important that Nottingham City Homes and ourselves take action to support and sustain tenancies in those cases where tenants become unable to pay their rent. That is why Nottingham City Homes have Tenancy Sustainment Officers, and why we work so closely with them to prevent homelessness wherever we can. We have been monitoring the effectiveness of the protocol in recent months, as part of our drive to reduce the use of temporary bed and breakfast accommodation, which I alluded to earlier in response to a public question. And therefore, I am able to say that since this active monitoring of the protocol began at the back end of last year, the number of evictees being made homeless has been zero.

Chargeable Parking Permit Schemes

Councillor Andrew Rule asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Local Transport:

Can the Portfolio Holder update the Chamber on what progress has been made with the review on chargeable permit schemes currently being undertaken by officers within her Portfolio?

Councillor Sally Longford replied as follows:

Thank you Councillor Rule for your question. The current adopted policy for residents parking schemes dates back to 1999, and is in need of a refresh. I have tasked officers with undertaking a review of the existing policy and to bring forward a revised policy for adoption as soon as practicable. I am expecting the review to be completed very soon.

Support from the Council for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Report of the Leader

The Leader submitted a report on the Nottingham City Council response to the draft recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) review of electoral equality in Nottingham city, as set out in a supplement to the agenda.

RESOLVED to

(1)  accept the draft recommendations of the LGBCE in respect of the Aspley, Basford, Berridge, Bestwood, Bilborough, Bulwell, Bulwell endorse Forest, Dales, Leen Valley, Lenton and Wollaton East, Mapperley, Radford, St Anns, Sherwood, and Wollaton West wards;

(2)  accept the amendments to the LGBCE’s recommendations in relation to the proposed Park, City, New Meadows, Embankment, Arboretum, Hyson Green, Clifton North and Clifton South wards;

(3)  delegate authority to the Leader to make any necessary amendments to the report following on from the Council debate.

Report of the Leader

The Leader submitted a report on Decisions taken under Urgency Procedures, as set out on pages 29 to 34 of the agenda.

RESOLVED to

(1)  note the urgent decisions (exempt from call-in):

(2)  note that no key decisions were taken under special urgency procedures.

Report of the Deputy Leader/Portfolio Holder for Resources and Neighbourhood Regeneration

The Deputy Leader submitted a report on the Treasury Management actions and performance in 2017/18 up to 30 September 2017, as set out on pages 35 to 52 of the agenda.

RESOLVED to

(1)  note the Treasury Management actions taken in 2017/18 to 30 September 2017, detailed in the report;

(2)  approve the revision of the prudential indicators within the 2017/18 Treasury Management Strategy, detailed in section 5.3 of the report.

Motion in the name of Councillor Jane Urquhart:

This Council is deeply concerned by the significant increase in people at risk of or facing homelessness. Since 2010, the number of people applying to the Council as homeless has increased by 44%. This Council believes that the government’s inadequate response to rising homelessness has allowed the situation to become a crisis.

This Council calls on the Government to:

-   Provide adequate funding to enable Councils to successfully implement the Homelessness Reduction Act;

-   Ensure that changes to the way that supported housing is funded meet the needs that Councils have identified;

-   Reform the legal framework for assured shorthold tenancies to give those renting privately greater security and certainty

-   Set Councils free to build the homes that local people need.

This Council commits to:

-   Continuing our ‘No Second Night Out’ policy, ensuring that no one need sleep rough in Nottingham;

-   Ensuring sufficient provision of temporary accommodation, so that no family is placed in Bed and Breakfast accommodation by the end of 2018;

-   Working with the private rented sector in order to prevent and alleviate homelessness;

-   Work with partners to ensure a joined up approach to preventing homelessness and ensuring those who do become homeless can easily access the appropriate support;

-   Developing a new five year homelessness prevention strategy which sets out our vision for homelessness prevention and how, in partnership, we will deliver it;

-   Promoting access to employment advice and support initiatives to improve financial resilience.

Moved by Councillor Jane Urquhart, seconded by Councillor Cheryl Barnard:

This Council is deeply concerned by the significant increase in people at risk of or facing homelessness. Since 2010, the number of people applying to the Council as homeless has increased by 44%. This Council believes that the government’s inadequate response to rising homelessness has allowed the situation to become a crisis.

This Council calls on the Government to:

-   Provide adequate funding to enable Councils to successfully implement the Homelessness Reduction Act;

-   Ensure that changes to the way that supported housing is funded meet the needs that Councils have identified;

-   Reform the legal framework for assured shorthold tenancies to give those renting privately greater security and certainty

-   Set Councils free to build the homes that local people need.

This Council commits to:

-   Continuing our ‘No Second Night Out’ policy, ensuring that no one need sleep rough in Nottingham;

-   Ensuring sufficient provision of temporary accommodation, so that no family is placed in Bed and Breakfast accommodation by the end of 2018;

-   Working with the private rented sector in order to prevent and alleviate homelessness;

-   Work with partners to ensure a joined up approach to preventing homelessness and ensuring those who do become homeless can easily access the appropriate support;

-   Developing a new five year homelessness prevention strategy which sets out our vision for homelessness prevention and how, in partnership, we will deliver it;

-   Promoting access to employment advice and support initiatives to improve financial resilience.

RESOLVED to carry the motion.

To note the following in-year changes to non-executive committee memberships approved by the Corporate Director for Strategy and Resources:

(a)  Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee – the appointment of Councillor Andrew Rule to fill a vacancy;

(b)  Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee – the appointment of Councillor Andrew Rule to fill a vacancy;

(c)  Health and Wellbeing Board – the appointment of Councillor Cheryl Barnard to replace Councillor Steve Battlemuch;

(d)  Health Scrutiny Committee – the removal of Councillor Cheryl Barnard as a substitute;

(e)  Overview and Scrutiny Committee – the appointment of Councillor Jim Armstrong to fill a vacancy;

(f)  Standards Committee – the appointment of Councillor Andrew Rule to fill a vacancy, and the appointment of Councillor Jim Armstrong as a substitute to fill a vacancy.

RESOLVED to note the following in-year changes to non-executive committee memberships approved by the Corporate Director for Strategy and Resources:

(a)   Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee – the appointment of Councillor Andrew Rule to fill a vacancy;

(b)   Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee – the appointment of Councillor Andrew Rule to fill a vacancy;

(c)   Health and Wellbeing Board – the appointment of Councillor Cheryl Barnard to replace Councillor Steve Battlemuch;

(d)   Health Scrutiny Committee – the removal of Councillor Cheryl Barnard as a substitute;

(e)   Overview and Scrutiny Committee – the appointment of Councillor Jim Armstrong to fill a vacancy;

(f)   Standards Committee – the appointment of Councillor Andrew Rule to fill a vacancy, and the appointment of Councillor Jim Armstrong as a substitute to fill a vacancy.