Agenda item

N Brathwaite introduced this report the purpose of the report is to update the committee on the performance of the Elms contract, managed by the DEN’s.

She explained that the report detailed challenges with the hostel manager and how partnership works has been excellent and achieved improvement, good things are now happening since the new manager has been in place.

N Brathwaite was happy to take questions on the report.

Cllr Bassadone asked what the average age of people staying at the Elms.

N Brathwaite said that its mainly young people between 18-35 and the majority are males.

Cllr Bassadone asked the question, what you do when people disappear and haven’t paid rent, do they ever come back.

N Brathwaite stated that this is then connected to their housing register application, there is an arrears policy including former arrears. The majority of people do return to the Elm’s and then we put a repayment system in place.

Cllr Imarni referred to page 30, the severe weather protocol and extra staffing levels, we can’t predict this.

N Brathwaite said that we have access to additional information, this enables us to track the weather, we are slipping into the winter period so we have to be cautious, there are crash pads available for emergency weather.

Cllr Imarni asked where these extra people come from in severe weather.

N Brathwaite stated that they can come from across the border.  But many are already working with an known to the service

Cllr Wyatt-Lowe suggestion that the KPI’s should include measuring the success of training given to residents.

N Brathwaite said that there was no successes to report when they wrote this, since then there has been someone who has achieved a catering course and someone who has done carpentry and is hoping to set up their own business.

Cllr Wyatt-Lowe referred to page 30 the performance section, does this include mental health.

N Brathwaite assured Members that they have attended all DBC essential training.

Cllr Adeleke asked if it was appropriate to advertise for volunteers to do a good deed for the DEN’s, there is a man from London that comes over to cut their hair, it would be nice if more people could get involved.

 N Brathwaite said it was a good idea and she can explore ways of advertising.

Cllr Imarni mentioned the lady in DBC that provides toiletries and raises money for sanitary products; she wanted to commend the good work which is happening.

Cllr Mahmood expressed his view and how he was alarmed to see such a high turnover off staff and asked if we have an open minded approach and more intervention.

N Brathwaite stated that DEN’s had an extremely difficult period with the previous manager and this had a knock on affect, they did monitor this and they do meet regularly.

Cllr Mahmood asked for paragraph 3 to be looked at as it goes from passed to future and asked if a quarterly review could be done instead of an annual one.

N Brathwaite is happy to share updates on this.

Cllr Mahmood referred to item 4, contributions to the DEN’s payment to the Council, are they achieving this.

N Brathwaite said that they were achieving this and costs may need to be looked at an increased due to increase in utilities costs.

Cllr Mahmood asked where people go when they are evicted from the DEN’s.

N Brathwaite stated that this is very rare it’s a last resort being evicted it’s not a straight eviction. Its then comes down to the local authority to support them and look at alternative options.

Action:  None

Outcome: Report was noted.