Meeting documents
Cabinet
Wednesday, 1st September, 2004
Report to Directors Group
|
Date |
June 2004 |
|
Reporting Area |
Housing & Supported Living |
|
Lead Director |
Jane Ashman |
SCOPE OF REPORTING AREA:
Housing & Supported Living encompasses Housing Services; the Council's strategic housing role; the Supporting People Programme; and provision of residential care and extra care housing for older people.
The work of Housing Services includes area renewal, private sector housing grants and enforcement, home energy efficiency, bringing empty properties back into use, homelessness, housing advice and the Homeseekers register. The strategic housing role includes enabling the development of affordable housing for rent and shared ownership and leading the development of the Council's Housing Strategy. The Council's registered residential care homes for older people are now managed alongside St Johns Court sheltered and extra care housing scheme and provision of care at The Orchard (an extra care housing scheme).
Housing is involved in cross-service working including Supporting People, the Local Strategic Partnership and Community Strategy, social inclusion, empty properties, community safety, the Local Plan and customer access.
PROGRESS/ISSUE REPORTING
|
Progress Made |
Issues to be addressed |
Who |
By When |
|
|
Leadership Updates on Feb 04 report Leadership New items |
Managers Equality Group (MEG) has established a framework and guidance for undertaking "Impact Assessment Audits" that have been piloted both on service delivery and policy development. These have established an excellent model. Council approved the costings for the concept designs for the Community Resource Centres, including 3 designed for dementia day care centres. |
The learning from Housing & Supported Living needs to be used by the Corporate Equalities Group to roll out across the council. Proceed with plans and keep to timescales and costings, secure planning consents. |
Strategic Director Head of Housing & Supported Living |
On-going On-going |
|
Progress Made |
Issues to be addressed |
Who |
By When |
|
|
Leadership New items |
The first meeting of the EPH Reprovision Project Co-ordination Group took place on the 8th April 2004. The group is chaired by the Head of Housing & Supported Living and membership includes the Head of Adult Care & Commissioning, HR Manager, Care Model Project Manager and the Construction Project Manager. |
The Group to meet on a monthly basis to ensure that the "care model" and "construction" work streams are appropriately linked and that operational imperatives are considered in the project planning. |
Head of Housing & Supported Living |
On-going |
|
People Management New items |
A series of workshops were held to consult with staff on how Social & Housing Services can deliver and resource extended services in the future. Another series of workshops considered the requirements for the provision of Extra Care Housing and In-reach Nursing for the new Community Resource Centres. |
The Workforce Development Group is to consider feedback from these workshops at its next meeting and plan the next steps. From these workshops referral, assessment and staffing arrangements need to be developed. |
Head of Housing & Supported Living Group Manager Housing |
June 04 Dec 2004 |
|
Policy and Strategy Updates on Feb 04 report |
Following the Homeseekers Policy Review the revised policy has now been drafted and impact tested. A members workshop took place at the end of May to further develop the Affordable Housing Strategy. Members agreed in principle a structure for developing the Housing Strategy, with clear links to the Community Strategy and Local Strategic Partnership. Within this structure a series of delivery plans will be produced, including one on Affordable Housing. Agreement for this structure has been obtained from GOSW. |
The revised policy is now due to be agreed by the Executive Member These proposals need to be agreed as a change to the Policy and Budget framework. |
Group Manager Housing Strategic Director / Head of Housing & Supported Living |
June04 Sept 04 |
|
Progress Made |
Issues to be addressed |
Who |
By When |
|
|
Policy and Strategy New items |
A new Housing Enforcement Policy has been agreed, which will assist the Council in carrying out good enforcement practice. In addition it will provide guidance for landlords, businesses and other relevant parties regarding the enforcement service they can expect in order to promote compliance within Housing Law. |
The policy needs to be embedded and staff made aware of the changes and their implications. |
Group Manager Housing |
Oct 04 |
|
Resources Updates on Feb 04 report Resources New Items |
The bid for £5 million capital funding that was submitted to the Department of Health Extra Care Housing Fund was not successful. The Disabled Facilities Grant has been cut by £38,000. This is a statutory provision which due to the demand has been overspent for the past two years. Council have agreed the enhanced EPH Reprovision Program and the budget of £26.266 The Supporting People Commissioning Body has agreed a process for achieving the required 2.5% saving in this financial year. |
A second bidding round will commence in the autumn. Feedback from the first round bid will be taken into account when submitting this second round bid. A prioritisation system has been introduced and is being constantly monitored to ensure the best use of the available monies. However, it is likely that waiting times will increase and performance against KPI's could worsen. Delivery of the program of both the agreed timetable and within the agreed budget must be assured through close and careful monitoring of the project. The required saving for the next financial year will now not be known until November 2004. The five year Supporting People Strategy, that is due for submission in March 2005, is required to set out how these savings will be achieved. |
Group Manager Housing Head of Housing & Supported Living Head of Housing & Supported Living |
On-going 2007 March 05 |
|
Progress Made |
Issues to be addressed |
Who |
By When |
|
|
Process Updates on Feb 04 report Process New Items |
To date the new statutory requirements for families with dependent children and expectant mothers in Bed & Breakfast accommodation have been achieved. The Supporting People Programme has agreed to commission, in partnership with Children & Families, the expansion of the Supported Lodging Scheme to include young homeless who have not been in care. The Bath & North East Somerset Property Accreditation Scheme for houses of multiple occupation has celebrated its tenth anniversary. Since the launch of the scheme 600 properties have been accredited, this equates to around 2500 bed spaces. The scheme has been recognised as one of the most successful and well respected schemes in the country. |
The aim will be to continue to improve on and maintain our recent good performance. With funding for support in place, additional landlords now need to be encouraged to take part in the scheme. |
Group Manager Housing Planning & Partnership Managers /Group Manager Children & Families |
On-going March 05 |
Glossary: GOSW = Government of the South West; TOPSS = Training Organisation for Personal Social Services.
2a. RESULTS AGAINST TARGETS (June 2004)
Reporting on commitments made in the Council Strategy and Performance Plan.
Summary of Performance: 2003/04 END OF YEAR REPORT
|
Performance Targets |
No |
% |
|
Green |
6 |
86 |
|
Red |
1 |
14 |
|
Amber |
0 |
0 |
|
Ref |
Indicator |
Top 25% of English Councils in 2001/02 |
2001/02 Actual |
2002/03 |
2003/04 |
2003/04 |
Status |
Comment |
|
62 |
% of unfit private sector dwellings made fit or demolished as a direct result of B&NES action |
4.2% |
1.4% |
1.7% |
1.75% |
7.42% (See Note 1) |
Green |
|
|
64 Amended |
Number of private sector vacant dwellings returned to occupation or demolished |
N/a |
10 |
8 |
8 |
13 |
Green |
|
|
183 NEW |
Homeless households (a) average time in B&B, households with children (b) average time in hostels, households with children |
N/a |
N/a |
(a) 7.5 weeks (b) 10.2 weeks |
(a) 4 weeks (b) 10 weeks |
(a) 8.7 weeks (b) 13.6 weeks |
Red |
|
|
Local 8 |
New affordable housing units |
N/a |
92 |
78 |
110 |
123 |
Green |
These indicators will no longer be reported on in this document from 0405 onwards. In each case the target for 2003/04 has been met and indeed exceeded by a significant margin. |
|
Local 9 |
% of affordable housing on brownfield sites |
N/a |
84% |
91% |
60% |
75% |
Green |
|
|
Local 90 |
% of new Registered Social Landlord homes to required lifetime standards |
N/a |
84% |
54% |
50% |
59% |
Green |
|
|
Local 91 |
Number of new call alarms provided to elderly and vulnerable people |
N/a |
311 |
315 |
250 |
354 |
Green |
Note 1a: Recent clarification on the guidance relating to this BVPI has enabled us to widen the scope of properties made fit. In particular, properties which are brought up to standard through our voluntary property accreditation scheme have now been included for the first time. In addition a recent house condition survey has shown a reduced level of unfit properties within the district, thus inflating the final BVPI figure
2b. RESULTS AGAINST TARGETS (Jun 2004)
Reporting on commitments made in the Council Strategy and Performance Plan.
Summary of Performance: 2004/05 PROGRESS TO DATE REPORT
|
Performance Targets |
No. |
% |
|
Green |
3 |
37.5 |
|
Red |
1 |
12.5 |
|
Amber |
4 |
50 |
|
Ref |
Indicator |
Top 25% of English Councils in 2002/03 |
2002/03 |
2003/04 |
2004/05 Plans |
2004/05 Progress to Date |
Status |
Comment |
|
BV62 |
% of unfit private sector dwellings made fit or demolished as a direct result of B&NES action |
4.5% |
1.7% |
7.42% (See Note 1a) |
7.5% (See Note 1b) |
0.27% (to end of Apr 04) |
Green |
Currently only 1 month's figures available for 0405. This indicator fluctuates from month to month (between 4 and 49 properties in 0304) and hence there is no reason to suppose the 0405 target will not be met. |
|
BV64 |
Number of private sector vacant dwellings returned to occupation or demolished |
39 |
8 |
13 |
8 |
1 (end of Apr 04) |
Green |
|
|
BV183 |
Homeless households (a) average time in B&B, households with children (b) average time in hostels, households with children |
See Note 2 |
(a) 7.5 weeks (b) 10.2 weeks |
(a) 8.7 weeks (b) 13.6 weeks |
(a) 5 weeks (b) 10 weeks |
(a) 7.7 weeks (b) 16.1 weeks (end of May 04) |
Red |
See Note 3 0405 Progress to date figures are calculated as 12 month rolling averages (to end of May 04) |
|
PSA 8 |
Number of deaths and injuries arising from accidental fire in dwellings per 100,000 population (mean over 2 years) |
N/A |
17.4 |
See comment |
14.5 |
See comment |
Amber |
Information is obtained from Avon Fire Brigade. 0304 Actual and 0405 to date figures are not yet available. |
|
PSA 11 (a) |
Number of families with dependent children or with a member who is pregnant in Bed & Breakfast accommodation for 4 weeks or more |
N/A |
13 |
30 |
15 |
2 (end of May 04) |
Green |
Note: 12 month rolling average to May 04 is 28. |
|
Ref |
Indicator |
Top 25% of English Councils in 2002/03 |
2002/03 |
2003/04 |
2004/05 Plans |
2004/05 Progress to Date |
Status |
Comment |
|
PSA 11 (b) |
Total household nights spent in Bed & Breakfast accommodation |
N/A |
12,295 |
18,648 |
9,017 |
1822 |
Amber |
Note: 12 month rolling average to May 04 is 17334 |
|
PSA 11 (c) |
Percentage of homelessness applications decisions notified within 33 days |
N/A |
74% |
82% |
90% |
84% |
Amber |
Note: 12 month rolling average to May 04 is 82% |
|
BV202 NEW |
The number of people sleeping rough on a single night within the area of the local authority. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
13 |
N/A |
N/A |
A rough sleepers count is planned for Autumn 04 (or possibly Spring 05) |
|
BV203 NEW |
The percentage change in the average number of families, which include dependent children or a pregnant woman, placed in temporary accommodation under the homelessness legislation compared with the average from the previous year. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
2.5% |
N/A |
Amber |
The data for this BVPI is required to be taken from the ODPM's quarterly P1E form. The 1st quarter form for 0405 (Apr-Jun 04) is due for submission to the ODPM on 23rd July 04). |
Note 1a: Recent clarification on the guidance relating to this BVPI has enabled us to widen the scope of properties made fit. In particular, properties which are brought up to standard through our voluntary property accreditation scheme have now been included for the first time. In addition a recent house condition survey has shown a reduced level of unfit properties within the district, thus inflating the final BVPI figure
Note 1b: Taking into account Note 1a it was decided the targets for 2004/05 needed to be radically revised. Therefore they are now much higher than those previously published.
Note 2: It is not appropriate to compare against the top 25% of English Councils for this BVPI because of the two part nature of the indicator and the different use made of B&B and hostel accommodation in different authorities. The averages (mean) for English Councils in 0203 were 7 weeks and 15 weeks for parts (i) and (ii) respectively.
Note 3: Because the target for 183(i) was missed by a significant amount in 2003/04 it was decided to set a new target for 2004/05 that was higher than previously published but more realistic.
3. Disability and Ethnicity - Reporting Housing & Supported Living Staff
|
Target 5% Increase |
Number of Staff |
% of workforce |
Grade |
||
|
308 |
Lowest |
Highest |
|||
|
Disabled Staff |
15 |
3 |
1% |
Manual worker 1 |
Hay Grade K |
|
Disabled Staff (DDA definition) |
15 |
8 |
2.6% |
Manual worker 1 |
Hay Grade K |
|
Disability status not revealed |
- |
2 |
0.6% |
Manual worker P |
Hay Grade L |
|
Black and minority ethnic staff |
15 |
8 |
2.6% |
Manual worker 1 |
Hay Grade K |
|
"Other White" minority ethnic staff |
- |
4 |
1.3% |
Manual worker 1 |
Manual worker 5 |
|
Ethnicity details not revealed |
- |
12 |
3.9% |
Manual worker 1 |
Hay Grade K |
Access to Services by BME and Disabled People
We have the following information on access to services:
· 0.6% of people applying for and receiving Disabled Facilities Grants come from BME backgrounds
· 1.9% of people applying for and receiving Discretionary Grants come from BME backgrounds
· 6.9% of people who apply as homeless come from BME backgrounds
· 9.1% of people accepted for re-housing under homelessness legislation come from BME backgrounds
· 6.0% of people accessing the Homeseekers Register come from BME backgrounds
· 22% of people accessing the Homeseekers Register consider themselves disabled
Please note that the BME figures provided now reflect all BME groups where previously only information on African-Caribbean and Asian (Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi) communities were available.