Agenda item

This item is to receive any Notices of Motion: one has been received and is attached.

Officers will present on the arrangements for street homelessness provision as part of the response.

That the Notice of Motion on the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol be withdrawn and the actions noted.

Members considered a Notice of Motion in the following terms proposed by Councillor Attridge and seconded by Councillor Brown.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) - Councillors Bernie Attridge, Helen Brown, Carol Ellis and George Hardcastle

“We call upon Flintshire to urgently review the SWEP PROTOCOL.

Following on from severe weather conditions including a storm that placed us in high alert, Flintshire did not activate SWEP unlike all the neighbouring authorities as it was not deemed cold enough according to the protocol.

We ask that Flintshire uses its discretion in bad weather and not only when temperatures drop below zero.  We must ensure that all avenues of communication are open and ensure that we reach out as much as possible.

We need to be caring and compassionate with those who are much less fortunate in our county.”

Speaking in support of the Motion, Councillor Attridge highlighted the importance of tackling homelessness through a multi-agency approach.  Whilst he was aware that SWEP had been activated a number of times, he was concerned that the criteria did not take account of the wind chill factor during recent bad weather.  He recognised the challenges arising from the service provider withdrawing the night shelter provision in Holywell and welcomed the Council’s response to secure the new facility in Deeside.  He called for an urgent review of SWEP to safeguard against a repeat of this situation and for discretion to activate the protocol not just when temperatures fell below the stipulated level.  He went on to thank the Cabinet Member for Housing, Chief Officer (Housing and Assets), Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy), the Homeless and Advice Team Manager and her team.

As Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Dave Hughes highlighted the Council’s priority to tackle homelessness and invited the team of officers to share an overview of their work supporting homeless people and establishing the new night shelter.

The Chief Executive said that the Notice of Motion provided an opportunity to share actions being taken to implement the new service in Deeside, as set out in the briefing note which was circulated.  Whilst the withdrawal of services by any partner organisation was a potential risk, this new service based at a Council-owned building would offer greater resilience.  In response to the concerns raised, the Chief Executive spoke about the difficult circumstances in making the new premises operational and putting in place the necessary safeguards to use the facility as an emergency centre once SWEP was activated.

Members were introduced to the Homeless and Advice Team Manager (Jenni Griffiths), Team Leader, Housing Solutions (Deborah Kenyon) and Supporting People Contracts and Reviewing Officer (Lisa Pearson) who gave a detailed presentation on their work and the impact of losing the former night shelter.  Due to the work required to prepare the new facility and procure a new service provider - and with weather conditions worsening - the Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) and the team had shared a commitment to bring the facility into use as quickly as possible in the most appropriate way.  There were many activities involved in implementing the SWEP which was intended to be an interim measure during the period, using discretion on its use in the absence of a statutory definition of cold weather.  During the two consecutive weekends of bad weather, the team proactively identified those in need of support to provide them with alternative accommodation until the facility was ready to be used as an emergency centre.

Since the opening of the facility, many officers had spent hours working at the night shelter carrying out duties, engaging with the client group and working closely with the new service provider (Wallich) through transitional arrangements to ensure a smooth formal handover on 2 March.  Funding of the facility was through the Housing Support Grant, with a contribution from the Health Board towards the refurbishment of the building.

The Team Manager took the opportunity to thank all those involved in the project during this challenging period, including colleagues in Capital Works, contractors and North Wales Police.  Service users were also praised for their patience whilst building work was taking place.

The Chief Executive said that the opening of the new night shelter should mean that the SWEP was no longer required as a safeguard.  If this was not the case, the level of discretion on its implementation would be a key consideration whilst maintaining the existing facility.  As explained in the briefing note, a period of time was required after formal handover to allow the centre to settle before arrangements for volunteering and donations could be formalised.  A future site visit for elected Members would be organised at an appropriate stage and consideration would also be given to exploring “wraparound” services which could be accommodated at the new centre.

Councillor Brown paid tribute to the teams of volunteers who had helped to provide support to homeless people over recent years and suggested that they be invited to visit the new centre.  She also thanked members of the public who had helped during the recent bad weather.  She said that homelessness was not just a Housing issue and welcomed the option for extended services at the new centre.

In describing homelessness as a nationwide issue, Councillor Roberts said that the circumstances in this case were particularly challenging.  In welcoming the opening of the new centre, he paid tribute to the Manager and her team and in particular the Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) for his dedication in spending substantial time at the shelter engaging with service users.  He asked that a vote of thanks be recorded for officers in the Housing department for all their efforts.

Councillor Thomas welcomed the transitional handover and gave assurance of joint working between Housing and Social Services on homelessness.  In response to comments, the Team Manager provided details of the Council’s involvement in a new collaborative service to co-ordinate specialist outreach workers on areas such as mental health and substance misuse.

During the debate, a number of Members commended the Chief Officer and team for their commitment to tackling homelessness in Flintshire and their work on the new centre. In response to questions, officers provided clarification on the approach for assessment individuals accessing the night shelter.

In support of joint working between Housing and Social Services, Councillor Rosetta Dolphin said that the topic could be explored further at the joint Overview & Scrutiny meeting in June.

Councillor Bibby expressed his sadness at the rise in homelessness of which there were many contributing factors.  In addition to officers in Housing, he thanked those in Streetscene as well as North Wales Police, Police Community Support Officers and volunteers.

At the end of the discussion, Councillor Attridge thanked Members for their comments and officers for their assurances that SWEP would not need to be activated following the opening of the new facility.  On that basis, he withdrew his Notice of Motion.  He took the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved including the Chief Officer and teams across the Council and he commended the work of charities such as Community Hands and Help the Homeless.

The Chair thanked Members for submitting the Notice of Motion and also thanked the team for their presentation.

The Chief Executive sought the support of Members in allowing time for the new service to settle.  Information on volunteering and donations would be shared with Members in around two weeks’ time and the joint committee meeting in June would include discussion on longer term wraparound services.

RESOLVED:

That the Notice of Motion on the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol be withdrawn and the actions noted.