Agenda item - Petitions for Council Debate

Petitions to be debated at full Council.  Reports of the Monitoring Officer (copies attached).

 

(a)       Homelessness Policy.  Lead petitioner Mr. D. Harris.

 

(b)       Save Withdean (puppy) Park Fenced Enclosure.  Lead petitioner Ms. A. Cox.

 

(c)       Save Hove Library.  Lead petitioner Councillor Mac Cafferty.

 

 

98.1         The Mayor stated that the council’s petition scheme provided that where a petition secured 1,250 or more signatures it could be debated at a Council meeting. She had been notified of three such petitions which had sufficient signatures to warrant a debate and therefore would call on the lead petitioner to present their petition before opening the matter up for debate.

 

(a)             Homelessness Policy

 

98.2         The Mayor invited Mr. Harris to present the petition calling on the Council to adopt the ten point plan to address the issues related to emergency homelessness accommodation outlined in the petition.

 

98.3         Mr. Harris thanked the Mayor and presented the petition which called on the Council to consider the proposals listed to address issues associated with emergency accommodation for homeless people. He explained that he lived in emergency accommodation which comprised of a privately operated building with 60 rooms that were let at £28 per night – this equated to over £900 per with together a £50 service charge. Mr Harris highlighted some of his own personal background and added that the poor facilities, including inadequate kitchens, no laundry facilities and the exclusion of guests, as well as the cost of this accommodation added to his own levels of personal stress and impacted on his wellbeing. He highlighted, from a Freedom of Information Request, the amount that the Council had spent annually on this type of accommodation annually and argued that residents needed secure tenancies and improvements to accommodation standards. He asked that the Council consider the points put forward in his petition.

 

98.4         Councillor Meadows thanked Mr. Harris for presenting his petition and extended her concern that the housing process had caused Mr Harris this level of stress. She went on to highlight that the Council was building new homes across the city, and noted that Mr Harris had provided a number of areas for the Council to consider and revisit. She stated that with a lack of social housing in the city there was a necessity to use stock from the private rented sector, but added that the Council always sought feedback and undertook proactive work such as inspections and she provided assurance that she would personally visit Mr Harris’s accommodation. Finally she highlighted that the Council already provided free Wi-Fi in libraries and civic buildings and there was work being undertaken to see if this could be extended to low-income households.

 

98.5         Councillor Gibson moved an amendment on behalf of the Green Group to the report’s recommendation to add a further recommendation:

 

              That Brighton & Hove City Council recommends that Housing & New Homes committee give due consideration to the following:-

 

·         An increase in the frequency of inspections of emergency accommodation and report on the outcome of these inspections at regular intervals to Housing & New Homes Committee;

 

·         That satisfaction surveys are undertaken with residents moving into emergency accommodation and the results reported back;

 

·         Exploring along with other relevant committees as a matter of priority the identification of sites and explore the development of council owned low cost emergency accommodation, either through a council owned company or directly owned by the council. That this exploration focuses on non-traditional, quick to build, construction such as the Y cube and containers be considered for these sites;

 

·         Undertaking a review of the no visitor rules and consider the outcome at a future meeting;

 

·         Adopting a policy of only using emergency accommodation in which hot water supply is guaranteed.

 

Councillor Gibson took part in the debate and thanked Mr Harris for his bravery in coming forward and speaking to the Council. He noted that the petition was a very clear message that more needed to be done to reduce rough sleeping, build more social housing and urgently look into the quality of the accommodation used by the Council in the private rented sector. He noted that agreeing the proposed amendments would ensure they formed the basis of the consideration of the petition when it was referred to the Housing & New Homes Committee. Councillor Gibson noted that for some the temporary housing options were inadequate and pushed people into becoming rough sleepers, and he highlighted that the Council needed to speed up its efforts to look into alternative temporary housing solutions.

 

98.6         Councillor Druitt formally seconded the amendment.

 

98.7         Councillor Mears took part in the debate and thanked Mr Harris for bringing his petition to the attention of the Council; she went on to add that the Council needed to ensure that temporary accommodation was fit for purpose and had facilities such as adequate kitchens and running hot water as set out in the HMO guidance. Councillor Mears noted that the Chair of the Housing & New Homes Committee had given a clear steer that the matter would be discussed at that Committee in full; however, she added that she wold not support the amendment as she was of the view there were additional matters that needed to be considered above those put forward in the amendment.

 

98.8         The Mayor called on Councillor Meadows to respond to the debate.

 

98.9         Councillor Meadows stated that the Labour & Co-Operative Group would accept the proposed amendments and ensure they were part of the discussion at the next Housing & New Homes Committees; she also stated that there needed to be a clear pathway in place for those in need.

 

98.10      The Mayor noted that an amendment had been moved and put it to the vote. This was carried by 48 votes with 1 abstention as detailed below:

 

		For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
1	Allen	ü				Mac Cafferty	ü
2	Atkinson	ü				Marsh	ü
3	Barford	Absent				Meadows	ü
4	Barnett	ü				Mears	ü
5	Barradell	ü				Miller	ü
6	Bell	ü				Mitchell	ü
7	Bennett	ü				Moonan	ü
8	Bewick	ü				Morgan	ü
9	Brown	ü				Morris	ü
10	Cattell	ü				Nemeth	ü
11	Chapman	ü				Norman A	ü
12	Cobb	ü				Norman K	ü
13	Daniel	ü				O’Quinn	ü
14	Deane	Absent				Page	Apologies
15	Druitt	ü				Peltzer Dunn	ü
16	Gibson	ü				Penn	ü
17	Gilbey	ü				Phillips	Apologies
18	Greenbaum	ü				Robins	ü
19	Hamilton	ü				Simson	ü
20	Hill	ü				Sykes	ü
21	Horan	ü				Taylor	ü
22	Hyde			Ab		Theobald C	ü
23	Inkpin-Leissner	ü				Theobald G	ü
24	Janio	ü				Wares	ü
25	Knight	ü				Wealls	ü
26	Lewry	ü				West	Absent
27	Littman	ü				Yates	ü
						Total	48		1

 

98.11      The Mayor confirmed that the amendment had been carried.

 

98.12      The Mayor then put the recommendation to refer the petition to the Housing & New Homes Committee for consideration at its meeting on the 15^th June 2016, to the vote, which was agreed.

 

98.13      RESOLVED: That the petition be referred to the Housing & New Homes Committee for consideration at its meeting on the 15^th June 2016 and that the Council recommends that Housing & New Homes committee give due consideration to the following:-

 

·           An increase in the frequency of inspections of emergency accommodation and report on the outcome of these inspections at regular intervals to Housing & New Homes Committee;

 

·           That satisfaction surveys are undertaken with residents moving into emergency accommodation and the results reported back;

 

·           Exploring along with other relevant committees as a matter of priority the identification of sites and explore the development of council owned low cost emergency accommodation, either through a council owned company or directly owned by the council. That this exploration focuses on non-traditional, quick to build, construction such as the Y cube and containers be considered for these sites;

 

·           Undertaking a review of the no visitor rules and consider the outcome at a future meeting;

 

·           Adopting a policy of only using emergency accommodation in which hot water supply is guaranteed.

 

(b)             Save Withdean (Puppy) Park Fence Enclosure

 

98.14      The Mayor then invited Ms. Cox to present the petition calling on the Council to support the local dog walkers in maintaining the fenced area in Withdean Park.

 

 

98.15      Ms. Cox thanked the Mayor and stated that there was overwhelming support for the petition in the local community as the space was important for dogs and puppies and those that enjoyed the atmosphere. The area was an important space where dogs could be let off the lead without them being at risk from the traffic. The campaign group were now formally known as the Withdean Dog Walking Community and they had recruited members with a range of specialisms. The group had some start-up funding, committed volunteer time and had come up with inexpensive fundraising ideas. The group had taken up the offer of contractor hours for the needed work in collaboration with the Friends of Withdean Park, and asked the Council to formally recognise them as a community group and consult them on any future proposed changes to the park.

 

98.16      Councillor Mitchell thanked Ms. Cox for presenting the petition and stated that the group had been able to successfully work with Councillor Wares to reach an agreement to allow residents to take on responsibility for the upkeep of the fence in the context of reductions in Council budgets. This solution was considered mutually beneficial for all and would retain the use of the space for dog walkers.

 

98.17      Councillor Wares congratulated those that had worked on the campaign and raised the number of signatures necessary to bring this item forward for Council debate, and he welcomed the agreement of a resolution before the matter had been bought to Council. Councillor Wares thanked Councillor Mitchell for her support of Officers engaging with residents; he asked that the petition be referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee to ensure the proposed arrangements could be formally agreed.

 

98.18      The Mayor then put the recommendation to refer the petition to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee for consideration at its meeting on the 28^th June 2016, to the vote, which was agreed.

 

98.19      RESOLVED: That the petition be referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee for consideration at its meeting on the 28^th June 2016.

 

(c)             Save Hove Library

 

98.20      The Mayor then invited Councillor Mac Cafferty to present the petition calling on the Council to Save Hove Library.

 

98.21      Councillor Mac Cafferty thanked the Mayor and presented the petition which called on the Council to Save Hove Library. He thanked all those that had signed the petition that had now reached over 4000 signatures; he also noted the large amount of correspondence he had personally received on the matter. Previous moves to close the facility over twelve years ago had been abandoned following a local campaign from residents. In relation to the consultation there was some feeling that the wording had been ‘loaded’, and he was of the view that a more realistic appraisal of the building could see the costs potentially reduce in the context of the work needed to make Hove Museum a suitable relocation site for the service. He highlighted that the building was purpose built and there had been investment in recent years to ensure the building was compliant with modern accessibility standards. He highlighted that there was considerable will in the city to retain the service in the historic building.

 

98.22      Councillor Morgan thanked Councillor Mac Cafferty for presenting petition and stated that the petition suggested the service was to be withdrawn in Hove, instead he highlighted that it was being relocated to the nearby Hove Museum where the service would be better and have extended opening hours. He noted that the majority of responses in the consultation had been supportive of the proposals and the costs to retain the service in its current location would be significant over the next few years – the equivalent to the running costs of seven local community libraries. The position of the administration was to retain library service across the city; increase opening hours and entrench libraries as community hubs.

 

98.23      Councillor Druitt moved an amendment to the report’s recommendation to request officers present a worked up financial plan to keep Hove Library in the purpose-built Andrew Carnegie building. He went on to add that the Brighton Society were of the view that the provision would be reduced if the service was relocated to Hove Museum, and refuted the administration’s position that the service would not be reduced. He noted that the Green Group’s amendment sought to provide a full financial plan to keep Hove Library operation in its current location so that Members could be in possession of all the necessary information before a final decision was taken.

 

98.24      Councillor Mac Cafferty formally seconded the amendment.

 

98.25      Councillor Meadows reiterated that the library provision and service would remain in Hove, and she stated her view that the service would flourish in its new location.

 

98.26      Councillor Peltzer Dunn noted his agreement that the petition should be referred to the Special Policy & Resources Committee on 28 April 2016 as that meeting would be considering a full report on the future provision of the library. He went on to add that it was important the Policy & Resources Committee be provided with a full business plan to ensure that they were in possession of all relevant information before a decision was taken.

 

98.27      Councillor Bewick noted that residents in his Ward would be affected by the proposed changes to Hove Library, and he highlighted some of the literature in circulation in relation to the issue and stated his view that it was misleading. Councillor Bewick went on to add that the administration were aiming to provide a cultural centre for the residents of Hove that would be open 7 days a week.

 

98.28      Councillor Sykes stated that the decision to move the library was a political decision; whilst the service would be moved he highlighted that the building itself would be closed and no longer in use as a library.

 

98.29      Councillor Littman stated that the Green Group were proud on their record in relation to libraries during their time in administration, and they had replaced the mobile library with an improved service; he noted that the Labour & Co-Operative Group had previously tried to close the library whilst in administration and noted that it had been the weight of the resident’s campaign that had stopped this.

 

98.30      Councillor G. Theobald noted that the view of the Conservative Group was to see a full business plan at the Special Policy & Resources Committee on 28 April 2016; for this reason they would not support the proposed amendment.

 

98.31      Councillor Barradell highlighted the reduced funding from Central Government and the necessity to take these types of difficult decisions; she went on to add that the Special Policy & Resources Committee would be able to consider a full business plan.

 

98.32      Councillor Wealls noted that the Green Group had not proposed any amendments to Library’s budget at the recent Budget Council meeting in February; which would have provided an opportunity to consider alternative funding for the Library’s service.

 

98.33      Councillor Mears noted that these types of decisions were political as it was the responsibility of the administration to set priorities and the budget.

 

98.34      The Mayor noted the information and called on Councillor Morgan to respond to the debate.

 

98.35      Councillor Morgan stated that the proposed amendment was unnecessary as a report was due to be considered at the special meeting in April, and that the Green Group had the opportunity to propose amendments to the Library’s budget at Budget Council in February.

 

98.36      The Mayor noted that an amendment had been moved and put it to the vote. This was not carried by 7 votes to 40, with 2 abstentions, as detailed below:

 

		For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
1	Allen		X			Mac Cafferty	ü
2	Atkinson		X			Marsh		X
3	Barford	Absent				Meadows		X
4	Barnett		X			Mears		X
5	Barradell		X			Miller		X
6	Bell		X			Mitchell		X
7	Bennett		X			Moonan		X
8	Bewick		X			Morgan		X
9	Brown		X			Morris		X
10	Cattell		X			Nemeth			Abs
11	Chapman		X			Norman A		X
12	Cobb		X			Norman K		X
13	Daniel		X			O’Quinn		X
14	Deane	Absent				Page	Apologies
15	Druitt	ü				Peltzer Dunn		X
16	Gibson	ü				Penn		X
17	Gilbey		X			Phillips
18	Greenbaum	ü				Robins		X
19	Hamilton		X			Simson		X
20	Hill		X			Sykes	ü
21	Horan		X			Taylor		X
22	Hyde			Abs		Theobald C		X
23	Inkpin-Leissner		X			Theobald G		X
24	Janio		X			Wares		X
25	Knight	ü				Wealls		X
26	Lewry		X			West	Absent
27	Littman	ü				Yates		X
						Total	7	40	2

 

 

98.37      The Mayor confirmed that the amendment had been lost by 40 votes to 4 with 2 abstentions.

 

98.38      The Mayor then put the recommendation to refer the petition to the Policy & Resources Committee for consideration at its special meeting on the 28^th April 2016, to the vote, which was agreed.

 

98.39      RESOLVED: That the petition be referred to the Policy & Resources Committee for consideration at its special meeting on the 28^th April 2016.