Agenda and minutes

Please note that individual petitions may overrun their time slots.  Although individual petitions may start later than advertised, they will not start any earlier than the advertised time.

Councillors Keith Burrows, Judith Cooper and David Routledge attended as a Ward Councillors. 

Concerns, comments and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• There had been issues with the property being used as a supported unit since last August.
• There was no evidence that a risk assessment had been undertaken.
• Residents had not been consulted about the use.
• The unit was a semi-detached property and as adjoining neighbour had been disturbed on regular occasions both day and night.
• There had been a number of incidents encountered that had been reported and
• Noise disturbance had been reported to the Anti Social Behaviour Team.
• As a result of the incidents one of the residents had been moved from the unit.
• There had been continuing issues in the community even though the resident that was thought to be causing the problems had been moved.
• Noise diaries had been submitted to the Anti Social Behaviour Team.
• Mill House had been contacted about residents concerns but so far no response received.   A letter had now been sent and a reply was awaited.
• Residents fully understand the need for people with mental health issues to live in the community but had concerns that they were being given a higher priority than local residents. 
• Residents felt that their Human Rights were being impacted upon by the use.
• The wider situation had not been taken in to consideration.
• Positive Community Care had a supported housing unit in a property in Hayes, which had caused serious Anti Social Behaviour issues.
• Suggested outcome for the short term was for the person causing the problems to be re-assessed, as it was not felt their needs were being met.
• Suggested long term outcome would be for the unit to be closed.
• The process for supported housing units needed to be looked at to see whether semi-detached properties were suitable for this type of use.

A Ward Councillor spoke and raised the following points:

• Understand the problems that were occurring and could not add too much to what the petitioner had already said.
• Residents had attended the Ward surgery to seek help in resolving the issues they were facing.  
• There needed to be a holistic approach to resolve the problems being encountered by residents.
• There needed to be measures put in place 24 hours a day with emergency contact numbers given to residents to report any issues.
• A monitoring regime needed to be put in place by the Council.
•  A risk assessment was a fundamental part of the process and if not already carried out should be undertaken in the future.
• Residents needed to be provide with constructive help.
• Had received regular e-mails from residents on the noise and disturbance that they were suffering.
• Premises that were to be used as supported housing units should require planning consent, which would mean that neighbours would be consultated.
• There was an urgent need to rectify the problem, as a semi-detached property was not ideal for this type of use.
• Local residents living close  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Councillors Lynne Allen and Peter Curling attended as a Ward Councillors. 

Concerns, comments and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• Residents would like Arabic channels to keep in touch with affairs from their our own country.
• Not all residents interested in receiving Arabic channels were able to attend the meeting this evening.
• A satellite dish to receive Sky TV had been installed by Council.
• The new dish would enable the children to learn about their culture.

A Ward Councillor spoke and raised the following points:

• There were a number of young mums who lived in Skeffington Court with children at home.
• English is not their first language of a number of the residents in Skeffington Court.
• Would allow them to keep in touch with the current affairs of their own country.
• There may be a deal to be done with the suppliers of Hot Bird, which could include provision to other blocks in the borough.

Councillor Philip Corthorne listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised:

The Cabinet Member advised the petitioners that he was sympathetic to the request, which would be a positive thing to do for our residents.  There would need to be further consideration given as to how this could be logically done across all the estates in the borough.  The Cabinet Member advised the meeting that he would discuss how the provision of the Hot Bird satellite could be taken forward and make a decision within the next 5 to 10 days.   The petitioners would be notified of the Cabinet Members decision at that time.

Reasons for recommendation

To allow the Cabinet Member to hear the concerns of the petitioners and to consider whether to agree to their request or otherwise.

Alternative options considered / risk management

The Cabinet Member could agree to the request of the petitioners and instruct officers to install this new satellite dish to the existing system, or choose to refuse the request.

Resolved That the Cabinet Member:

1. Noted the request being made by the petitioners and the broader implications of this request relating to this estate and the  remainder of the flatted stock; and

2. Noted the contents of the report for the purpose of responding to the petitioner.

3. Deferred making a decision to discuss further with officer’s how this can be taken forward across other estates in relation to cost and other possible requirements.   The lead petitioner and Ward Councillors would be notified of the decision  within the next 5 – 10 days.