Agenda and minutes

In the event the fire alarm sounds attendees will be advised to evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit and assemble at the Bottle of Notes opposite MIMA.

The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting and read out the Fire Evacuation Procedure.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

The minutes of the Place Scrutiny Panel meetings held on 23 September and 7 October 2024 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

A representative from The Ethical Housing Company (EHC) will be in attendance to provide information in relation to its business model and work with Middlesbrough Council to bring empty properties back into use.

Recommendation: that the Panel determines what further information will be required for this scrutiny investigation.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from the Ethical Housing Company (EHC) was in attendance at the meeting and gave a presentation in relation the Company’s business model and partnership work with Middlesbrough Council to bring empty properties back into use.

The Ethical Housing Company (EHC) provided homes for people in housing need across the Teesside private rental market.   The EHC’s unique business model combined financial and social outcomes and had a long-term approach, ensuring rents were kept at affordable levels and providing a stable option for those in housing need. This unique business model combined commercial and social outcomes in the growing world of impact investment.   The company was based in Redcar but covered the whole of the Tees Valley area and had two arms of operation: lettings and housing.

The Company aimed to the gap in the private sector but with a social purpose.  EHC was funded through private equity by a range of investors who had different portfolios from retail to housing. 

Customers of the EHC were among the most vulnerable in society, often unable to access safe, high-quality, and affordable housing due to complex needs or issues related to drug, alcohol, or mental health.   The EHC filled a crucial gap in the private rented sector (PRS), effectively serving as the equivalent of the social housing sector within the PRS.   Customers not only chose the EHC because they provided good quality, affordable housing, but also because they received comprehensive support throughout their tenancy.  This support included assistance with employment and training, help with benefit claims, and access to financial support services.

The EHC’s business model was based on the following key factors:

Property Acquisition: EHC purchased properties in Teesside, often directly from social housing providers, local authorities, homeowners and landlords. The EHC aimed to acquire properties off-market, thus avoiding traditional estate agency listings and fees.

Affordable Housing: EHC focused on providing high-quality, affordable housing to people who were often excluded from the housing market due to issues like financial constraints or complex needs (for example, mental health or substance abuse).

Social Impact: EHC mission was to address housing shortages and homelessness.  The company refurbished derelict homes, which not only provided housing, but also helped revitalise communities.

Comprehensive Support: Tenants received extensive support services. This included help with finding employment, training opportunities, assistance with benefit claims, and access to financial support. This wrap-around support ensured tenants were able to maintain their housing and improve their overall quality of life.

Sustainable Practices: EHC was committed to ethical and sustainable practices.   EHC aimed to operate in a way that benefited both the community and the environment, ensuring long-term positive impact.

In essence, EHC combined housing services with a strong social mission, providing affordable housing and comprehensive support to those in need, while also contributing to community development and sustainability.

The EHC was currently working closely in partnership with Middlesbrough Council to bring empty homes back into use and provide good quality affordable housing and reduce the need for temporary accommodation.  Nine  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/38

The Vice Chair confirmed that the Task and Finish Group had met earlier in the day and drafted Terms of Reference for the scrutiny review into Empty Properties.  The Vice Chair would circulate the draft Terms of Reference for approval at the next Place Scrutiny Panel meeting.

NOTED

Middlesbrough Council’s Integrated Transport Manager will be in attendance at the meeting to provide information in relation to the Home to School Transport Policy.

Recommendation: that the Panel determines what further information will be required for this scrutiny investigation.

The Head of the Integrated Transport Unit (ITU) was in attendance and gave a presentation in relation to Middlesbrough Council’s Home to School Transport Policy and implementation.

The Council’s Home to School Transport Policy for Students Aged 5-16 was last reviewed in preparation for September 2024.  The Policy was deemed as ‘Good’ by peers and other Local Authorities.  The Service continued to:

•           Review Working Practices including improving communications, earlier assessment for future years’ offer with parents/carers and other stakeholders.

•           Promote eligibility to stakeholders including schools, colleges, social workers. 

•           Review the Post 16 Transport Statement and information available to parents/carers.

•           Work in greater detail with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), School specific and Health colleagues to gain a better understanding of the needs of the students based on their diagnosis or Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) needs. 

With regard to policy implementation, assessments were carried out and/or validated by the Independent Needs Assessor using the following criteria for mainstream students and those with special needs and/or disability.

Education – Statutory Mainstream:

•           Distance from the home to school by the shortest walking route (as accompanied by a responsible person).

•           Low Income reducing the distance from 3 miles to 2.

•           Low Income and attending a school on faith or religious belief - reduces the distance from 3-15 miles to 2-15 miles from the home.

•           Unsafe Walking Route – (as outlined in the policy).

•           No other special needs.

Education - Special Needs and/or Disability:

•           Child/Young Person had an EHCP issued by Middlesbrough Council with the setting named at Section I and that was stated by the Local Authority and distance to the setting.

•           Assess information from SEND, school or previous setting, parents/carers and other professionals such as Epilepsy, Asthma, Diabetic Teams at JCUH and CAMHS for areas including mobility, medical, behavioural, vulnerability, practicality and training.

Those SEND students that did not have an EHCP also had a needs assessment using a scoring matrix which covered the six areas listed above and attended their nearest qualifying setting. 

Appeals were submitted in accordance with the Home to School and Post 16 Transport Appeals Policy.

Risk assessments were undertaken in line with the Council’s Risk Management Strategy and there were 4 levels of risk which ranged from Level 1: passenger had no additional needs other than transport and would not require an individual risk assessment or protocol, up to Level 4: passenger may be too high risk for ITU to transport or further measures and mitigation needed to be a major factor in any transport provision.  Alternative transport provisions should be considered.

The number of children with complex educational and medical needs with an EHCP aged between 5-25 in both Middlesbrough and out of area was increasing with approximately 45 additional children becoming eligible for transport assistance each year.  The ITU worked closely with colleagues in Education and the SEND team to ensure sufficiency of localised placements  and help to plan for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/40

Recommendation: that Panel Members note the minutes of the Task and Finish Group meeting held on 14 October 2024 and agree the terms of reference for the scrutiny review of Home to School Transport.

A note of the meeting of the Task and Finish Group on Home to School Transport held on 14 October 2024 had been circulated with the agenda.  The next steps for the Group would be to obtain evidence from relevant schools to find out how they thought the system was operating and speak to users of the service.

AGREED that:

1.     The information provided was received and noted.

2. Terms of Reference for the scrutiny review of Home to School Transport were approved as follows:

·        To establish the nature of the Home to School Transport Service currently provided by Middlesbrough Council’s Integrated Transport Unit.

·        To examine the nature of the Home to School Transport policy in light of the relevant statutory guidance.

·        To establish whether the present system is providing adequate support for    students travelling on school transport.

·        To identify the reasons for the increase in costs over time and the implications for the overall funding on the service.

·        To investigate how other similar local authorities provide this service and to identify ways in which the service could be improved and any costs minimized.

The Chair will provide a verbal update on matters considered at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 23 October 2024.

The Chair provided a verbal update on items considered at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 23 October 2024.  It was highlighted that the Final Report of the former Environment Scrutiny Panel on Waste Management had been approved by the Board and would be submitted to the Executive.

The Chair will provide a verbal update on the Crustacean Deaths Collaborative Working Group.

There was no update for this meeting.

Monday 2 December 2024 at 4.30 pm

The next meeting of the Place Scrutiny Panel was scheduled for Monday 2 December 2024 at 4.30 pm.  Discussion took place regarding potentially changing the time and/or dates for Panel meetings from January 2025 and the Chair invited Members to let him have any suggestions.

None.