Agenda item

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

Councillor Morse declared a disclosable interest and left the meeting during consideration of this item as she had been consulted on the proposal for using the Former Richards Aquatics for the Safe Sleep initiative in her capacity as Portfolio Holder for Customer Access.

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application to change the use from A1 to temporary night shelter (sui generis) until end of March 2017. He reported further representations that had been received in support and objection.

Members were circulated with an update sheet – attached to minutes.

Councillor Bull attended the meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order No. 44. He made the following points:-

• speaking as Lead Councillor for Neighbourhoods and Communities on behalf of the street homeless, a hidden and voiceless community, and some 860 signatories to an online petition in support of this Safesleep application;
• rough sleeping is not the problem but the result of a problem since those in this need do not choose to live on the streets but find themselves there through circumstances;
• the average life expectancy of the homeless is 47 for males and 43 for females, Citizens Advice Bureau stating that some others are only three payslips away from the same fate;
• a similar facility the previous winter had provided 1,235 bed spaces over 91 days for 82 homeless, 45 of whom had secured more settled accommodation thereafter as a result of engagement with voluntary partners who help to turn around chaotic lives. Safesleep can help today, tomorrow and into the future;
• a City Centre location is necessary as rough sleepers would not seek the use of any out of centre facility;
• Julian House has extensive experience in working with the homeless and can help ensure minimum impact on the surrounding and wider neighbourhood and harm to local amenities such as through noise, smell, litter and late night activity. Will work with the Police and through the Street Homeless Outreach Team (SHOT) to minimise anti-social behaviour;
• Julian House will work with the Council, other housing agencies and volunteers all coming together in a real sense of community to help this voiceless community. There will be close liaison with local residents and businesses to reassure them over their concerns; and
• this facility will contribute to the wider City Council objectives and, crucially, result in zero loss of life.

Mr Denning spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

• working closely with Exeter City Council and responding to the numbers of people identified nightly by the Julian House outreach team and verified by the formal rough sleepers count and, in particular, the high numbers of women sleeping on the streets of Exeter, the case for providing emergency accommodation which is safe, warm and supervised is overwhelming;
• the building itself has the size to make it work well, and it is open plan allowing observable and safe operation. There have been a number of comments recognising the need for a winter shelter, but seeking an alternative location. A shelter well outside the city centre would have lower take-up and therefore be less effective in achieving its purpose;
• the main issue is the impact of the shelter on crime in the immediate area and concerns have been raised locally. The comments from local residents and traders have shown that there is a high level of anti-social behaviour now. By bringing people out from shop doorfronts and other city centre locations offering a safe, warm and supervised environment and, ideally doing this in partnership with the local community, all ingredients will be in place for anti social behaviour to reduce;
• Market Street is an area not free from anti social behaviour now, and an initiative like this, will not solve the underlying problems, but should see anti social behaviour reduce during the time it is in operation. The shelter will have two experienced staff on duty at all times and the building inside, as well as the area immediately outside, will be covered by networked high definition CCTV; and
• the rear entrance will not be accessible by visitors.

He responded to Members’ queries:-

• enhanced CRB checks are carried out on all Julian House staff;
• high definition CCTV cameras will monitor any individuals hanging around this facility. Any issue of anti-social behaviour can be followed up by the SHOT;
• are links to agencies who also offer support to women and those with mental health and substance abuse issues;
• any aggressive clients will be barred from Safesleep;
• three staff will be employed during the day and two between 12 midnight and 08.00 hours, assistance also available if necessary for the latter shift from outreach workers in the City Centre who work for Julian House. Although the night shift workers may not have a male/female split, again females from the outreach team can be called upon;
• will be a contact number available for residents and businesses to raise concerns, a closed Facebook Group set up to receive feedback and Brett Sentence has met with the owners of the DanSci Dance Studio; and
• Safesleep is set to open on 12 December for 90 days over December, January and February and will remain open in March if the weather remains cold.

The recommendation was for approval, subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that, subject to an additional condition requiring a management plan, planning permission to change the use from A1 to temporary night shelter (sui generis) until end of March 2017 be APPROVED, subject also to the following conditions: