Agenda item

Street Culture Report - Cabinet Response

To note the initial Cabinet response to the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations agreed by the Cabinet on 18th April, 2018

Minutes:

6.1

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Place, which provided an interim response by Cabinet to recommendations made by a Task Group of the Scrutiny Committee, set up to gather information from a range of partners and service providers to better understand Street Culture in Sheffield.

 

 

6.2

Also in attendance for this item was Councillor Jim Steinke (Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety).

 

 

6.3

The report was introduced by Maxine Stavrianakos, Head of Neighbourhood Intervention and Tenant Support, who briefly outlined the responses to each of the recommendations made by the Task Group, some of which were agreed, some were still being considered.

 

 

6.4

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions to which responses were provided as follows:-

 

 

 

·                 The Sheffield DACT stated that donations to beggars by well-meaning people can often have adverse effects in that begging can cause homelessness, as those who lived on the streets sometimes choose this option rather than having to struggle with day-to-day living costs or seek support.

 

 

 

·                 Engagement with rough sleepers was always an issue as not everyone wanted to talk about their experiences.  Often, rough sleepers have very complex needs, which can be due to traumatic childhood incidents.  Signs of success would be a reduction in the numbers of rough sleepers, homeless and those with complex health needs. The Cabinet Member suggested that the ultimate measure of success would be an increase in the number of sustainable tenancies being achieved.

 

 

 

·                 With regard to the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), consultations had been held with South Yorkshire Police and the Head of the City Centre Ambassadors, following which South Yorkshire Police had agreed to make resources available, initially for three months and then review it. 

 

 

 

·                 The PSPO area map extends out of the city centre, up towards Ecclesall Road and Broomhill.  Having access to health services, particularly mental health services, was essential and a Mental Health Worker had started in the Neighbourhood Intervention and Tenant Support Service this week.

 

 

 

·                 It had been found that there were gaps in the Licensing Service and the delegated powers given to it.  There were changes being made within the Portfolio that the Service comes under and once these changes had been completed, the Environmental Protection Service would be given more delegated powers to deal with matters arising along with the Licensing Service.

 

 

 

·                 During last winter, the City Council provided shelter for 197 people who would have slept rough otherwise.  However, two people died, one the result of an accident.  Some people who do have accommodation, resort to sleeping rough because it doesn’t solve all their issues, for example the costs of staying in the accommodation or being intimidated.  One of the deaths was in such circumstances. Therefore, there was a need to address these issues..

 

 

 

·                 Multi-agencies were working closely together to help the public better understand street culture. Agencies are heavily reliant on volunteers to support rough sleepers.

 

 

 

·                 There would be a stall on the Christmas Market again this year to run a communications event.

 

 

6.5

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

 

 

 

(a)      thanks Councillor Jim Steinke (Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety) and Maxine Stavrianakos for their contribution to the meeting;

 

 

 

(b)      notes the contents of the report and responses to questions; and

 

 

 

(c)      requests that further updates be received at future meetings on the following:

 

·                 Rough Sleeping Initiative funding;

·                 The role of public health in this issue; and

·                 Progress of the PSPO.

 

Supporting documents: