Agenda item

Purpose:

To consider the attached Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) which details the Council’s proposed response towards rough sleepers in times of severe weather conditions and make recommendations as appropriate

Key Issues:

1. Although there is no strict definition of what counts as “severe weather”, it is proposed the Council will adopt a common sense approach and identify any weather that could increase the risk of serious harm to people rough sleeping, this can include extreme cold, wind or rain.

For the purposes of the protocol a rough sleeper is as defined as:

      i.        People sleeping, about to bed down (sitting in/on or standing next to their bedding) or actually bedded down in the open air (such as on the streets, in tents, doorways, parks, bus shelters or encampments). People bedded down in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as stairwells, barns, sheds, car parks, cars, derelict boats, stations or “bashes”).

2. Every year Local Authorities have to report to Welsh Government on the number of rough sleepers there are within their area. Data collection takes the form of two counts, a one night count and a count over a period of time.

      i.        One Night Count - this takes place on a pre determine date and in known geographical areas where rough sleepers are known to bed down or likely to bed down. During 2015 the count took place on the 25th November between the hours of 11pm to 3 where one person was identified as sleeping rough. For 2016/17 the count took place on the 4^th November between the hours of 10pm to 5am. No rough sleepers were identified.

     ii.        Count Period – data is collected over a two week period with assistance from the voluntary sector, faith groups, local businesses/residents, health and substance misuse agencies, and the police. For the winter of 2015/16 this took place during 2^nd – 15th November and identified five people sleeping rough. For the winter 2016/17 and took place during the 10th – 23rd October and identified one person as sleeping rough.

3. There is an expectation within Welsh Government that local authorities should ensure that there is provision in place to address the needs of rough sleepers in their area during period of severe weather conditions, particularly so during the winter months.

4. It is aimed to introduce what is known as the ‘Severe Weather Emergency Protocol’ or SWEP from winter 2017. The protocol will ensure that any verified rough sleeper with or without a local connection is found accommodation during periods of severe weather, particularly when extreme cold temperatures for extended spells can threaten their safety and wellbeing.

5. Who is Eligible?

      i.        Any person sleeping rough on the streets in the extreme cold. This includes those without recourse to public funds such as A10 nationals from the EU accession. This states the rough sleeper must:

·         be at risk if they continue to sleep rough during the course of the severe weather

·         have nowhere to sleep indoors during the course of the severe weather (Indoors does not include cars, sheds or garages)

·         agree to the assistance offered by the Council

6. The Process

      i.        The protocol is triggered by a weather forecast from the Met Office predicting three consecutive nights, or more, of a temperature of zero degrees Celsius or lower. For other forms of extremes of weather, for example wind and rain, the Council will take a pragmatic approach based upon meteorological warnings designated red and the likelihood of serious harm occurring because of extended periods of rough sleeping before triggering the protocol.

     ii.        As soon as the protocol is triggered, the duty Housing Options Officer will contact the relevant organisations both external and internal agencies, to advise that SWEP is in place, with details of who to contact if they identify any rough sleepers.

    iii.        If an identified rough sleeper meets the above criteria they will be offered emergency accommodation, which is likely to be B & B, for the duration of the severe weather.

Member Scrutiny:

Following presentation of the report by the Housing Strategy and Policy Officer, questions were asked by the Committee Members:

In response to a question, it was agreed to double check that the emergency accommodation phone number is available outside office hours. 

A Member queried why the process is initiated after three nights and it was confirmed that this was standard accepted practice. 

A Member questioned if accommodation would be available at short notice if the weather changed unexpectedly.  It was explained that officers monitor the weather on a daily basis.  It was added that there are limited sources of Bed and Breakfast but the team usually resolve situations promptly. 

It was asked if there is there an opportunity to seek medical or other help and support.  It was confirmed that an offer is made to work with the person to get them off the street.

It was queried and confirmed that there is a general fund for homelessness with a budget of £60,000-£70,000 to cover e.g. placing families in B and Bs.