Agenda item

Agenda item

Update on COVID-19 activity

Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods)

 

This report provides Scrutiny Committee Members with a further update summary of the current situation in the city in relation to COVID-19 and an update on the work progressing in Manchester in relation to areas within the remit of this committee.  Further detail on specific issues will be available as required.

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer that provided a brief summary of the current situation in the city in relation to COVID-19 and an update on the work progressing in Manchester in relation to areas within the remit of this committee. 

 

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

 

·        Expressing disappointment that the report made no specific reference to BAME citizens;

·        Expressing disappointment following the decision to withdraw the 179 bus service, noting that this service was important for key workers and older residents and calling for an end to any further cuts to bus services;

·        Calling upon the Chair to write to the Chief Executive of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to request an immediate review of this decision to withdraw the 179 bus service;

·        What advice had been provided to schools to support social distancing as schools prepare for a return in September and requesting an update on the Active Travel Bids;

·        Recognising the amount of work delivered by the Highways Department during the lockdown period, however commenting that communication with residents still appeared to be an issue;

·        Requesting an update on the number of homeless people in temporary accommodation;

·        What was the approach to supporting homeless people in district centres;

·        Noting the pressures that would be placed on the Homeless Service following the end of furlough and the ending of the restriction on the use of Section 21 (Notice to Quit) by private landlords;

·        Information on the number of licensed premises across the city and the number of  staff employed in the Licensing and Out of Hours Team to understand the scale of the challenge;

·        Commenting upon the positive and proactive approach taken by licensed premises; Council officers and Greater Manchester Police to ensure the easing of the lockdown measures was managed in a responsible and safe manner.

 

The Strategic Director, Neighbourhoods stated that the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME residents was acknowledged and the strategies and recovery approach had been reported to both the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Health Scrutiny Committee.

 

The Chair stated that she would consult with the Chair of the Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee with the intention to writing a joint letter to the Chief Executive of TfGM to express the views of the Committee and to request a review of the decision to withdraw the 179 bus service.

 

The Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport stated that she shared the disappointment of the Committee in regard to the withdrawal of bus services, recognising the importance of these for residents and providing an alternative to journeys by car. She described that this clearly highlighted the need for the introduction of a democratically controlled, regulated bus service.

 

The Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport further stated that work with the Education Department continued around the issue of active travel in preparation for the schools returning in September. She advised that the local Neighbourhood Teams were supporting this activity, however resources were limited and called upon local Councillors and partners to support this activity. She stated that information on the Active Travel Bids would be provided to Members following the meeting

 

In response the comments regarding communications and school crossings work, the Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport advised that letters were sent to all affected properties and schools to inform them of planned works and local Members were informed via email. In addition the contractor would display signage in the area to notify the public of the works. She also added that it might be the case that some schools had not picked up correspondence due to Covid19 lockdown. She was aware of only one specific incident in Withington where the programme for the crossing delivery was paused following concerns from residents on the location of the proposed works. However, she invited where Members experience any communication issues they were to let her know, and that she would circulate a note to members on how many crossings have been delivered to date. The Chair stated that a separate private meeting with Members of the Committee and the Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport would be useful for Members to raise issues they had experienced. The Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport agreed to convene such a meeting if there is interest from the committee for it.

 

The Director of Homelessness stated that there were currently 158 individuals placed in temporary hotel accommodation who had been rough sleeping at the start of the pandemic. He said that each had individual housing plans with a view to securing them permanent accommodation so they did not return to the streets. He stated that the decision had been taken to continue funding the hotel accommodation for rough sleepers until March 2021, despite the funding from central government ending.

 

The Director of Homelessness stated that currently there were approximately 2000 households in temporary accommodation across Greater Manchester. He stated that Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation was only every used as a last resort and there was a statutory limit on the length of time a person could be accommodated in such a setting. He further advised that there had been a significant reduction in the number of families accommodated in B&Bs, adding that if families had been placed in them the average time before being moved to more appropriate accommodation was two weeks. He informed Members that the Homeless Service worked with private landlords, charities and registered housing providers to secure accommodation for people experiencing homelessness and a number of supported accommodation units had been commissioned to provide additional support.

 

In regard to the district centres, the Director of Homelessness acknowledged this issue and stated that the Outreach Team were working in district centres and were included in the regular homeless counts. He stated that whist Outreach Workers continued to work with street homeless individuals, the approach was still on the prevention of homelessness. He further acknowledged the concerns expressed by the Chair regarding the ending of furlough and Section 21 Notices, and stated that this situation would continue to be closely monitored and the service was working closely with Shelter to understand the emerging situation, noting the importance of preventative work around the issue of homelessness.

 

The Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure stated that the Council had both a statutory and moral duty to respond to the issue of homelessness. He commented that the current situation of using temporary accommodation was not ideal, however this was as a result of a failure of government to invest in the building of social and affordable housing. He concluded by encouraging any residents wishing to help rough sleepers to donate to the Big Change campaign rather than giving money directly to individuals on the street as he said this was often counterproductive. 

 

The Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety informed the Members that across the city there was in excess of 2000 licensed premises and the Licensing and Out of Hours Team currently had 38 staff and managers working a shift pattern that covers from 10am to 4.30 am on Friday and Saturdays and 10am - 1am the rest of the week She stated that the staff have a wide range of duties and responsibilities and also undertake a significant amount of proactive work.

 

With regard to the number of Requests for Service, the Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety reported that whilst the number had not significantly changed compared to the same period last year, the nature of complaints had with far more domestic noise complaints being received. She explained that this could be attributed to the fact that people were at home a lot more than they usually were as a result of COVID-19 and would therefore likely be more conscious of noise from neighbours including  music, DIY, parties etc. The Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety described that in terms of COVID-19 guidance the vast majority of premises had managed the transition from lockdown well. She described the circumstances that had resulted in two premises being required to close, however these had both successfully reopened and the situation would continue to be monitored.

 

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods paid tribute to all of the staff working within the Licensing and Out of Hours Team and further reiterated the wide remit and responsibility for a relatively small team, noting that they were not just responsible for licensed premises. He further stated that the recent successful and safe reopening of licensed premises was to be applauded and had been informed by the positive proactive work undertaken by officers and the positive relationships that had been established. He stated that officers would, if necessary take appropriate enforcement action to ensure public safety.

 

In regard to the strategy for planning ahead and describing the workstreams that had been identified to progress the city’s recovery, The Strategic Director, Neighbourhoods reported that the move to reopening leisure centres, play areas and hosting events would be managed with due attention to the national public health guidance regarding COVID-19.

 

Decision

 

To note the report.

 

Supporting documents: