Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned; and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Singleton declared a personal interest with regard to item 2, ‘Domestic Abuse Thematic Discussion’, the nature of the interest being that she was a member of BSafe Blackpool, the Blackpool Community Safety Partnership.

Councillor Singleton declared a personal interest with regard to item 3, ‘Homelessness Thematic Discussion’, the nature of the interest being that she was a member of the Fulfilling Lives Steering Group.

Councillors Critchley, Hunter and Stansfield declared a personal interest with regard to item 3, ‘Homelessness Thematic Discussion’, the nature of the interest being that they were Board Members of Blackpool Housing Company.

To enable a thematic discussion around domestic abuse in order to ensure effective scrutiny is undertaken.

Ms Amanda Hatton, Deputy Director Early Help and Social Care, summarised the key issues to the Committee relating to domestic abuse. She advised that Blackpool experienced a high volume of domestic abuse incidents, with a large number of high risk cases being dealt with through the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC). She reported that domestic abuse in Blackpool was significantly high when compared to the rates in Lancashire and England as a whole. It was also noted that national research highlighted that domestic abuse was a significantly under reported crime. It was therefore considered likely that the underlying issue was higher than reported statistics.

The Committee was informed that for high-risk abuse cases, referrals were made to a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference, which determined a risk management plan for all parties, i.e. the victim, perpetrator and associated children. Members were advised that the rate of cases being discussed at a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference and therefore reflecting a higher risk of abuse, was significantly higher in Blackpool than it was nationally. Ms Hatton advised that of the cases reported to a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference, 26% were repeat victims. Members also noted the high numbers of children experiencing domestic abuse incidents, as well as a higher percentage of male victims in Blackpool than the national average.

Members noted the map in the report that illustrated the distribution of children in families subject to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference process. It was noted that the highest incident rates of domestic abuse were in the central wards of Claremont, Talbot and Bloomfield.  Members noted that there were also significantly high rates in the wards of Waterloo, Clifton, Brunswick and Hawes Side. Members challenged plans to ensure that incidents of domestic abuse in other areas of the town were not overlooked due to efforts being focused in wards with higher incident rates. Ms Foster, Senior Service Manager, advised that most services were not ward-specific and would therefore be available to all residents in Blackpool. She explained to Members the work that was undertaken in Early Help and in schools, where if cases of domestic abuse were uncovered or suspected, they would be escalated appropriately.

Ms Hatton advised Members of the work that was being undertaken in an attempt to reduce domestic abuse and to lessen its impact. She reported that work was currently being conducted to comprehensively review domestic abuse services. She informed Members that the piece of work involved all partnerships and commissioning representatives looking at an integrated commissioning approach for services and that it would also further include workforce development for front line staff. It was noted that the review would be chaired by the Deputy Director Early Help and Social Care and undertaken with senior officers from various partner agencies. Ms Hatton reported that it was expected that £100,000 funding would be received from the Home Office for undertaking the review and making appropriate evidence-based recommendations. It was considered that the work posed a significant challenge, but there was a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

To set out the extent and causes of homelessness in Blackpool, the response of the Council and partner agencies, and the challenges and opportunities that can be foreseen over the next few years.

Mr Andrew Foot, Head of Housing, summarised the key issues to the Committee relating to homelessness. He reported to Members that around 2,500 households, out of 64,000 total households in Blackpool, sought help from the Council’s Housing Options team each year because they were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The level of contacts had remained broadly the same over the past five years. He reported that there had been approximately 1,000 formal homelessness assessments completed by the Housing Options team in the last year. Around 60% of those were found to be homeless but not in priority need and 10% were found to be homeless and in priority need resulting in an immediate duty to find them accommodation. Upon questioning from Members, Mr Foot explained that somebody would be considered priority need if they would find it more difficult than the average person to spend the night as a rough sleeper, for example if they were elderly, had mental health issues or had children.

The Committee was advised that the level of assessments for homelessness in Blackpool was relatively high when compared nationally. It was noted as being by far the highest in Lancashire and higher than some London boroughs. However, it was reported that there was a big gap between the high levels of people presenting as homeless and low levels of people being found to be homeless and in priority need. It was considered that the gap reflected the dynamics in Blackpool, with high numbers of single people failing to keep their homes who were not classed as being in priority need, with the people in priority need being made up predominantly from families with children, 16/17 year olds and people fleeing domestic abuse.

Mr Foot advised that, unlike other locations, the crises that precipitated homelessness presentations in Blackpool were largely a product of social problems, rather than directly of housing shortages or housing prices. He added that, paradoxically, the easy accessibility of homes in the private rented sector and the subsequent transience of which that fuelled, led to high levels of homelessness. He noted that there was a tendency in Blackpool for tenancies to continually break down because of the poor quality of accommodation, the poor behaviour of some tenants and the expectation that there would always be somewhere else available.

The Committee was advised of the issue of ‘local connection’, which was especially relevant given the high level of transience and people coming into the town from other areas. He explained that as a result of the relatively large housing supply, Housing Options was usually able to find housing for people able to evidence a local connection. However, he noted that a significant minority of people had approached Housing Options having come into the town within the last six months, but were not eligible for full assistance as they had a connection elsewhere. Responding to further questions on the issue from Members, Mr Foot advised that anybody approaching Housing Options would have a right  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.