Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Amit Alva Email: amit.alva@southwark.gov.uk
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Apologies
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Cris Claridge (Co-opted Member) and Dave Hodgson, Director of Asset Management. |
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Notification of any items of business which the chair deems urgent
In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear working days of the meeting. Minutes: There were no items of business which the Chair deemed urgent. |
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Disclosure of interests and dispensations.
Members to declare any interests and dispensations in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: There were no disclosure of interests and dispensations. |
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Minutes
To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 29 February 2024 as a correct record. (To Follow) Supporting documents: Minutes: Minutes of the meeting held on 29 February 2024 were approved as a correct record. |
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Interview with Borough Fire Commander
Minutes: The commission first heard from the Borough Fire Commander, Verona Rawlings on the following themes
· Borough Statistics (Dock head, Old Kent & Peckham) – 5183 fire incidents 2023-2024, 4% increase since last year in primary fires (insurable risks), secondary fires such as rubbish fires down by 12%, single dwelling fires up by 1%. Care home fires down by 14% (intervention by dialogue with care homes- fire safety messaging) · 1945 Home Safety Fire visits conducted, Online fire safety check launched last year, 218 accidental dwelling fires, fire casualties 16 % decrease, decrease in arson incidents to 67, commercial properties shops and dwelling fire safety checks · 179 E-bike fires in London; modification kits purchased online not up to British standard, Council working with fire service on clearing communal areas where e-bikes are being charged to provide egress to residents, campaigns on charge safe The commission then asked questions on the following points
· Data on how many e-bike modifications have taken place; e-bike storage and legislation; Steps taken to further reduce the no. of e-bike fires · Risk assessment of shops and dwelling fires and fire service capacity; specific fire safety concerns in wards · High rise buildings update The commission heard from Verona that e-bike modification data is not currently available as they are available freely online and also that there is currently no legislation in place to regulate people from purchasing modification kits for e-bikes. Furthermore, the fire service is actively spreading fire safety message to the public on avoiding such fires by ensuring proper storage and charging methods. In addition the fire service has overhauled its community engagement team with more fire safety interaction within the community. Verona informed the commission that the fire service capacity of dealing with fires is sufficient at the moment. London Fire Brigade data is shared across the London fire stations with every station having access to risk assessments, entry’s’ and exit’s of high rise buildings remotely, in case of resources being stretched as in wild fires last year other stations step in to help. Fire borough commanders’ work together to produce borough risk management plans with specific safeguarding plans for wards, these plans are shared with the ward councillors on email by the fire safety watch teams and ward councillors are encouraged to respond to them. The commission requested that ward wise breakdown on fire safety data be provided at a later stage.
Verona explained to the commission that high rise building are profiled according to the severity of risk factors and some high risk blocks could get weekly visits and simultaneous evacuation plans. Southwark council was on the first councils’ to upload data into the high rise portal which is shared across the London fire brigade, any modifications to building are also uploaded and risk areas are targeted with home safety visits. Grenfell Phase 1 recommendations have been implemented across the London fire brigade with high reach ladders located centrally at Old Kent Road. Furthermore, command unit at Dockhead fire station is equipped with specialist crew ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Heating & Hot Water Outages- Borough Wide
Supporting documents: Minutes: The commission then received a report from officers’ Hakeem Osinaike, Strategic Director for Housing, Simon Holmes, Head of Engineering, Paul Gathercole, Gas and Water Contracts Manager, Tom Vosper, Strategic Project Manager, on Heating & Hot Water Outages across the London Borough of Southwark.
The commission then asked questions on the following topics
· Sustainability and affordability of heat networks over medium and long terms; local government financing of heat networks and future risks · Compensation Scheme for outages, compensation payments for shorter periods of outage; recording multiple shorter outages · Improvements and feasibility study criteria for areas; contract management of service provider OCO and penalties; conflicting reports of repairs issues between public and council staff; operational risk of implementing new projects and technology in heating systems considering reliability. The commission heard from Tom that individual heat networks across the borough are options appraised on the basis of customer service and environmental aspects when compared alternative heating systems such as individual boilers and electric heaters. Existing heat network are being retained in line with the government’s target of increasing heat networks from 2 % to 20% nationally. The initial investment in heat networks can be expensive as underground mains and distribution systems are needed as part of the infrastructure, however over the life cycle of a heat network they are more cost effective when compared to traditional heat systems.
Furthermore, local government target of net zero carbon is 2030 and central government target is 2050 is a future risk as conflicting priorities, de-carbonising of heat networks are done by connecting heat networks to low carbon source such as SEL-CHIP and heat pumps. However, such risks also exist in replacing existing boilers with individual heat pumps whilst trying energy costs low for the consumers’.
Simon explained to the commission that the current call centre recording for heating outages are not setup for shorter periods, and only more than 24 hrs outages are compensated. The challenges in recording shorter outages lies in whether it’s an individual property outage or block wide outage. A recent paper on compensation to scrutiny in October 2023 evaluated the payments for outages considering rising energy costs.
Paul informed the commission that in Appendix.1 data for 2022, shows availability at block level, however shorter outages could be recorded in the future with changes to the process, percentage of outages at block can also be recorded.
The commission learned from Hakeem that it’s recognised that residents are having issues with heating outages, however the data in Appendix. 1 shows the overall good availability and reliability of heating systems as a whole. These heating systems have been in place since 1960’s and are susceptible to breaking down and the challenges are in responding quickly and effectively. The commission discussed that the data shown in Appendix 1. shows boiler room data across the heating systems and network and understands this can be drilled down to plant room level, however plant rooms could serve multiple blocks.
Tom informed the commission that calculating outages is currently done manually, ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Draft scrutiny reports and recommendations- 2023-2024
To consider the draft scrutiny reports and recommendations for the 2023-2024 year. (To Follow) Minutes: The Chair explained to the commission that due to the very short timelines between council meetings as a result of the pre-election purdah period for London Mayoral Elections in May 2024; and the limited time for reviewing commission’s draft report that he has decided not to review the draft reports at this stage and only agree the recommendations.
The commission discussed the recommendation on e-bikes charging and storing in detail, the council’s role in regulating storage and charging of e-bikes in communal areas.
Furthermore, the commission also discussed ward councillors engaging with London Fire Brigade (LFB) with issues around fire in their wards and further engagement between the communities, LFB and Cabinet Member for Community Safety. It was agreed that the Chair would email the Cabinet Member for Community Safety informally on this matter.
The commission discussed the draft recommendations in detail. It was agreed that recommendations on housing allocation and lettings policy redrafted to make it more clear and effective. Councillor Ellie Cumbo agreed to email the redrafted Recommendations 1 and 2 to the commission as per the discussion at the meeting. Final recommendations 1 & 2 below as emailed after the meeting.
Recommendation 1- That the Cabinet ensure a clear set of success criteria for the Housing Allocations scheme and lettings policy before they are finalised, with details on how these will be measured. This should include not only quantitative analysis of how the scheme is helping to meet housing need in the borough, but should also include post-move tenant satisfaction surveys to ensure the council is able to monitor tenants' views and experiences. Also, that the Cabinet make a clear plan to monitor and audit this data regularly. This should happen within the municipal year 2024-2025.
Recommendation 2- That in the review of the Housing Allocations scheme and Lettings policy, Cabinet improves incentives for residents and communication of the Rightsizing scheme, to address under-occupancy through increased uptake of the scheme, within the municipal year 2024-2025.
The commission agreed to make split recommendation 3 to make it more specific and clear. Final recommendations below agreed on email.
Recommendation 3- That the Cabinet reinstate the post of the Hospital Discharge Housing Officer (as a single point of contact); and also that the Cabinet do this immediately after the adoption of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy by the Council.
Recommendation 4- That the Cabinet in reviewing its Draft Homelessness Strategy include the recommendations below as a part of the feedback for the consultation, which includes the following points:
· An improved, less invasive drop-in process at Bournemouth Road for homeless people, with easier in-person security and access procedures to council buildings/offices when dealing with domestic abuse and sexual exploitation victims. · Separate escalation process and telephone contact numbers for partner agencies to book appointments. · Resolution of the issues faced in the joint protocol working between partner agencies and the housing options team when working with refugee and asylum cases. · Investment in better IT infrastructure, especially with regards to flagging same-day assessments, waiting ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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Work Programme 2023-2024
To note the work programme for the 2023-2024 year. Supporting documents: Minutes: The commission noted the work programme for the year 2023-2024. |