Agenda item

To consider the following motions referred from council assembly 12 July 2023 as follows:

 

·  Health and wellbeing in Southwark

·  Support the #LiftTheBan Campaign

·  A Clean Southwark

·  Tackling damp and mould.

RESOLVED:

 

Health and wellbeing in Southwark

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be agreed.

 

1.  This council notes:

 

a.  5 July 2023 marked 75 years of the National Health Service (NHS).

 

b.  Treating over a million people a day in England, the NHS touches all of our lives. When it was founded in 1948, the NHS was the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery. Today, nine in 10 people agree that healthcare should be free of charge; more than four in five agree that care should be available to everyone, and that the NHS makes them most proud to be British.

 

c.  Labour created the NHS. Our values are built into the NHS’s founding principle that everyone, wherever they live, whatever they earn, should get healthcare that is free at the point of use.

 

d.  The NHS is facing both an unprecedented immediate crisis and a long-term challenge. Right now, the NHS is not working. 13 years of Conservative and the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition governments has run the service into the ground.

 

e.  The immediate crisis is that the NHS is no longer there for people when they need it: Month long waits to see a GP, ambulances that can’t get to people in time to save lives, dangerously long queues in A&E, over 7 million on the waiting list for hospital treatment – a system at breaking point.

 

f.  The NHS crisis has widened health inequalities, created barriers to access to healthcare and resulted in a disparity in outcomes.

 

g.  Everyone should be able to access the support and services they need to lead healthy lives. A Labour Government will tackle health inequalities, support mental wellbeing and help residents to be fit and active.

 

h.  Southwark Council have established a new in-house Active Southwark Service designed to help our residents stay healthy and fit. Giving access to a wide range of activities across our pools, leisure centres, outdoor gyms, parks and sports facilities.

 

i.  Southwark Council is working to ensure quality care in Southwark for those who need it, and look after people who care for others too.

 

j.  We are rolling out our new Residential Care Charter to ensure all Southwark residential and nursing homes have high standards of care and fair pay for care home staff. This includes every home having a Family Forum so people have a place to raise any concerns about a loved one’s care. 

 

k.  The employers of five of our biggest care homes have signed up to the Residential Care Charter, equating to nearly 70% of our care worker staff working in homes that are fully compliant and will be paid at least the London Living Wage. They will also be paid for the time it takes to carry out a proper handover between shifts, ensuring safety and continuity of care for residents. Zero hour contracts will not be used in place of permanent contracts unless requested by staff and training must be free and carried out in work time. These steps mean that our most vulnerable residents receive the best care from carers whose work is respected. 

 

l.  We have opened a new state of the art nursing home, so all older Southwark residents who need care can continue to have a home in our borough, and we are identifying another site to open another home in the next few years.

 

m.  Southwark is part of the Integrated Care System a partnership that brings together the organisations responsible for health and care services in south east London, to make the greatest possible contribution to the health and wellbeing of people living in South East London.

 

n.  Since 2019, Partnership Southwark has been working to better join up services and support, tackle the causes of inequality, and improve the health and wellbeing of Southwark residents. Partnership Southwark is our Local Care Partnership within the overall South East London Integrated Care System, working with other health, care and non-statutory organisations and local communities to bring together services and support at a neighbourhood level so that they do a better job of keeping people healthy and meeting their needs.

 

o.  The Conservative cost of living crisis has plunged many families into food poverty and food related health inequalities. Access to healthy and nutritious food impacts us at every stage in life, affecting development, wellbeing and life chances. Inequalities in diet result in inequalities in health.

 

2.  The Council believes:

 

a.  This NHS crisis is leading to a two-tier system, with creaking NHS care for those who can’t afford to pay, and timely care only for those with the money to go private.

 

b.  Our health system faces a long-term sustainability challenge. The NHS is still designed for the world of 1948, where people needed short-term treatment for infectious disease or injury. Now, we are looking to the same system to provide more care for people with chronic long-term conditions and it is simply not set up for this.

 

c.  Alongside the NHS crisis, it is extraordinary that in one of the richest countries in the world, the issue of food insecurity is soaring to unprecedented levels. The combination of food prices, wage stagnation and real-terms cuts to benefits is tipping more people into food poverty. This is not inevitable – it is a political choice by a Conservative-led government. We want a sustainable food system in Southwark to improve health and wellbeing for our population, to reduce inequalities and to protect the planet.

 

d.  In Southwark, we recognise the urgency of healthy, affordable food for the health and wellbeing of our communities. The council has a strong history of tackling food insecurity together with our partners in the voluntary, community and faith sector.

 

e.  We are proud to be one of only four councils in London to be recognised as cross-cutting leaders in our food work as part of the recently published Good Food for All Londoners report.

 

3.  The Council resolves to:

 

a.  Support the election of a Labour government that can fix the immediate crisis and address the long-term challenge the NHS now faces after years of underfunding by the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrat governments, so that future generation can benefit from the NHS for the next 75 years and long beyond.

 

b.  Support the election of a Labour Government with a strong ambition to create a National Care service that will resolve the crisis in the adult social care system.

 

c.  Work with our communities and NHS to reduce inequalities in access to healthcare, including those faced by Black, Asian and ethnic minority people. Expanding our Community Health Ambassadors network to empower more people to work with their community to increase the uptake of life saving vaccinations and cancer screening and holding local health services to account for the work they need to do to make sure care is accessible and high quality for all.

 

d.  Ensure all Southwark residents can access mental wellbeing support if they need it. The Council is already rolling out support for all children and young people. We will also launch innovative new support for adults, designed and delivered with and for people from across Southwark’s diverse communities. Including support for parents delivered by parents.

 

e.  Continue to work to provide the highest possible care for residents who need it, and increase nursing home capacity in the Borough.

 

f.  Provide a defibrillator (AED) for every school and in public buildings to ensure all residents have access to these lifesaving pieces of equipment.

 

g.  Confirm that Labour will ensure quality care in Southwark for those who need it, and look after people who care for others too.

 

h.  Introduce more support for all unpaid carers, regardless of whether the person they care for gets funded care.

 

i.  Continue to look for opportunities to bring social care services in house, under the control of user led groups or into cooperative ownership and will campaign to keep our NHS in public ownership

 

j.  Make Southwark a Right to Food Borough. Working with local businesses, community groups and schools to ensure everyone in Southwark has access to healthy, affordable food within a short walk of their home.

 

k.  Continue to increase access to affordable food models (such as pantries) in the borough, and ensure more convenience stores provide an affordable, healthy food offer to residents.  We will provide much needed support to local organisations that are tackling food poverty to embed cash-first approaches and provide a culturally appropriate food offer.

 

Support the #LiftTheBan Campaign

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be agreed.

 

1.  Council assembly notes that:

a.  in Southwark there are 1,002 people seeking asylum in receipt of Section 98 support and 1,273 people in receipt of Section 95 support.

 

b.  since 2002, people seeking asylum have only able to apply for the right to work

 

c.  after they have been waiting for a decision on their asylum claim for over a year, and only if they can be employed into one of the narrow, highly-skilled professions included on the Government’s Shortage Occupation List.

 

d.  people seeking asylum are left to live on £5.84 per day, struggling to support themselves and their families, and left vulnerable to destitution, isolation, and exploitation.

 

e.  the potential foregone economic gain for the UK economy of allowing people to work is estimated to be £97.8 million via increased taxable income and reduced payments of accommodation/ subsistence support.

 

f.  71% of people polled agreed with the statement: “when people come to the UK seeking asylum it is important they integrate, learn English and get to know people. It would help integration if asylum-seekers were allowed to work if their claim takes more than six months to process.”

 

2.  Council assembly believes that:

 

a.  people seeking asylum want to be able to work so that they can use their skills and make the most of their potential, integrate into their communities, and provide for themselves and their families.

 

b.  restrictions on right to work can lead to extremely poor mental health outcomes, and a waste of potentially invaluable talents and skills both for the economy of Southwark and the UK.

 

c.  allowing people seeking asylum the right to work would therefore lead to positive outcomes for those seeking asylum in Southwark and for the local and national economy.

 

3.  Council assembly resolves to:

a.  join the Lift the Ban Coalition, which is campaigning to restore the right to work for everyone waiting for more than 6 months for a decision on their asylum claim.

 

b.  call on the UK Government to give people seeking asylum the right to work unconstrained by the shortage occupation list after they have waited six months for a decision on their initial asylum claim or further submission.

 

A Clean Southwark

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be agreed.

 

 

1.  Council Assembly notes:

 

a.  That fly-tipping and litter have increased across the country after the pandemic, and nationally costs councils millions to address.

 

b.  Waste on the streets causes significant environmental and health hazards, and worsens the aesthetics of where we live.

 

c.  Whilst changes in national legislation would help to tackle the issue, there is room for councils to act within the current framework.

 

2.  Council Assembly notes the Council’s record on fly-tipping:

 

a.  The Council removed flytipping within 24 hours in 98.6% of cases in 2021/22, beating the target of 98%.

 

b.  According to the national Flycapture database, Southwark has the fewest incidents of flytipping reported by the public of all London boroughs who provided figures.

 

c.  81% of flytipping collected is done so proactively, without the public even needing to report it.

 

d.  It is notoriously difficult to find evidence for flytipping. Nonetheless, the Council’s  CCTV Team currently has four active cameras deployed to support enforcement activity in areas of concern for fly tipping, and since April the CCTV team have provided the Environmental Enforcement Team with 46 example of evidence.

 

e.  Despite a tough financial climate, the council has not removed any funding from flytipping and instead invested £500k into improving street cleanliness in 2022/23. This includes additional resources for graffiti removal, fly-tip removal and enforcement, and litter bins to increase recycling from street cleaning.

 

3.  Council Assembly notes the Council’s record on litter and street cleaning:

 

a.  The resources deployed for cleaning of high profile locations such as town centres has been maintained in 2022/23 therefore no reduction in frequency.

 

b.  The Council provides litter picking on residential roads between twice and six times per week, based on need. This will help maintain acceptable levels of cleanliness for litter on residential roads.

 

c.  The most recent figures show the council meeting its targets for both littering and street detritus.

 

4.  Council Assembly notes the Council’s record on pest control:

 

a.  Reporting figures detail the total number of visits, not infestations, and for all rodent infestations not just rats

 

b.  Almost 100% of pest related works involve a treatment programme which requires multiple visits to an individual property for a single infestation

 

c.  All council tenants receive a free service for the most common pests including rat treatments

 

d.  Those residents who pay for our service and are in receipt of benefits or state pension receive a 50% reduction in costs.

 

e.  The council contracts the service to the London Borough of Croydon

 

5.  This Council resolves to:

 

a.  Sustain the cross council approach of services working collaboratively to resolve the issue of fly-tip at hotspot locations.  These services include Waste Management, Cleaning, Environmental Enforcement, Housing, CCTV and Markets.

 

b.  Maintain the Council’s high standards of removing fly tipping within 24 hours and continue to aspire to beat the target of 98%.

 

c.  Keep up the council record of keeping Southwark streets clean, town centres and residential roads clean, with regular sweeping as well as targeted cleaning. 

 

d.  Continue to offer all council tenants receive a free service for the most common pests including rat treatments and maintain the high standard of pest control that all residents receive from the council.

 

e.  Uphold the work of the enforcement team dealing with commercial waste compliance and fly-tipping and continue to provide a responsive service to our residents.

 

f.  Use the additional funding available in 2023/24 to address fly-tipping to enhance the fly-tipping removal service as well as to increase the level of enforcement action taken against those who are responsible for fly-tipping.

 

Tackling damp and mould

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be agreed.

 

1.  Council assembly notes that:

 

a.  Damp and mould is a blight on housing in the UK and is putting lives at risk.

 

b.  The tragic death of Awaab Ishak resulting from toxic mould has rightfully made damp and mould a top priority when tackling housing disrepair.

 

c.  Southwark Council recognises the importance of addressing the problems damp and mould can cause and the need for a robust system and processes, both proactive and reactive, to ensure that measures are in place to tackle and reduce issues surrounding condensation in its properties.

 

d.  In October 2021 the Housing Ombudsman Spotlight Report was published, this made 26 recommendations for improvements across the industry. The key items for inclusion were:

 

  i.  Taking a zero tolerance approach to interventions with mould; meaning to take all reasonable measures to help resolve damp

  ii.  Avoid blaming the resident – The Ombudsman felt landlords were too quick to lay the blame of the problem with residents use of the property

  iii.  It’s not lifestyle – The Ombudsman case studies highlighted a number of cases had underlying issues which were not identified or addressed.  The council responded by reviewing the damp and mould strategy and implementing a new approach. 

 

e.  Since 2022 the council has:

 

  i.  Delivered a Major works scheme to address the damp mould and piloted the use of smart home technology on Kingswood Estate

  ii.  Consulted with residents at Area Forums and set up a resident online workshop

  iii.  Implemented a new policy which sets out how Southwark Council will respond and manage damp, mould and condensation, as well as its proactive approach to identify and remediate potential causes of future damp and mould

  iv.  Created a new Damp & Mould team in November 2022 within the repairs function who take ownership of the end to end process of a resident making an enquiry through to completion and follow-up of the works

 

f.  The Council has also introduced enhanced IT and additional ways a resident can contact the service. This includes:

 

  i.  Providing a dedicated phone number with direct access to the Damp & Mould team

  ii.  A dedicated email contact, again, direct to the team

  iii.  A new online reporting form with the ability to upload pictures and videos

  iv.  Targeted action days on estates

  v.  Posters with QR codes on display within our estates informing residents on how to report D&M

  vi.  Updated web-site with key information

  vii.  Produced a new resident facing damp pack brochure

 

g.  Triaging for damp and mould works are now applied. An urgent priority, which is based on residents’ vulnerability and severity of hazards & risks. Routine damp and mould cases are raised on a separate priority. The dedicated team communicate with the resident, checking that they are happy at the end of the process and returning if needed for further advice or works.

 

h.  As part of our initial inspection process, our trained inspectors provide guidance and a damp pack to all residents when on site. Every resident receives a Hygrometer to measures the humidity and water vapour in the air, which helps identify factors that cause damp and mould.

 

i.  The Damp & Mould team have been selected on the basis of their experience of damp and across the repairs spectrum, are trained in HHSRS (housing health and safety rating system), and can flag where a property is category one and doesn’t meet decent home standard

 

2.  Council assembly welcomes:

 

a.  The creation of the Southwark damp and mould taskforce and hopes this team can be put to effective use in improving Southwark’s response to damp and mould in the borough.

 

b.  The success of the repairs action days held throughout the borough that facilitated direct engagement between council officers and residents and saw proactive repairs carried out with effective follow-ups from the repairs team.

 

3.  Council assembly resolves to:

 

a.  Ensure that keeping people safe in their homes remains the number one priority for our housing teams.

 

b.  Continue to use a data-led approach, with a Power BI dashboard which allowing us to accelerate our response to damp and mould. This allows the council to pull together and automate the reporting of data that is held on a separate database.

 

c.  Ensure that this data is available to Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Housing Scrutiny Commission and the Cabinet.

 

d.  Use newly created heat maps to identify repeat visits and flag blocks which could have recurring environmental, mechanical or structural issues

 

e.  Build on the success of the repairs action day, by creating a calendar for future repair action days, to the benefit of residents in all wards.

 

f.  Continue to insure that an inspector attends every report of damp within 20 days, taking the resident through a booklet on managing damp in the home and providing each resident with a hygrometer as well as inspecting for airflow, leaks or any other issues that may be causing damp.

 

g.  Call on the Government to support local authorities in tackling damn and mould by providing the necessary extra resources, ensuring the council continue to keep people safe in their homes.

 

h.  Continue enforcement on private landlords, who do not tackle or take action to solve damn and mould issues.

 

i.  Offer advice and support residents raising a complaint where housing associations are failing to tackle damn and mould, as well as signposting residents on how to report them to the Ombudsman if necessary.

 

j.  Remain committed to working with government, the GLA and other partners to ensure we continue to eradicate damp and mould across our council homes, and work with the GLA on the development of any ‘gold standard’.