The Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 11 March 2013 to discuss updates on a new written agreement for council Gypsy and Traveller sites and to review final reports on maternal health and early years for Gypsies and Travellers, and on TRA halls and communal rooms. Decisions were made to note actions and future steps regarding the Gypsy and Traveller sites agreement, and to recommend that future housing provision consultations include Gypsy and Traveller sites. Reports on maternal health and early years for Gypsies and Travellers, and on TRA halls and communal rooms were also submitted to the cabinet for consideration, with amendments suggested for the latter.

New Written Agreement for Council Gypsy and Traveller Sites

The committee received an update on the new written agreement for council Gypsy and Traveller sites. Actions taken since a previous call-in meeting included addressing fire safety, animals, and benefits. Officers had visited the sites with representatives from Blackfriars Advice Centre, and it was confirmed that the Southwark Travellers' Action Group (STAG) was fully involved in the process. Amendments to the agreement were discussed, including extending the temporary absence period from six to eight weeks, and clarifying support for residents needing to make written applications and for fire safety requirements. Further amendments were needed regarding running businesses from sites, support for physical adaptations, and the removal of a ban on breeding dogs. The consultation on the agreement was due to end on 28 March, followed by an individual cabinet member decision.

The committee's previous recommendation to allow Gypsies and Travellers eight weeks away from their site before requiring council agreement was confirmed to be included in the amended agreement. Mr Archie Utley, the STAG representative, commented that the consultation had improved and that STAG had submitted extensive comments. STAG raised concerns about overcrowding on sites, noting that the number of pitches was below the target set in 2000. They were concerned that extra family members living in caravans on the site at Springside Close might not be able to sign the agreement, although this could be addressed if they were children of tenants. The head of operations, Paul Langford, noted that site provision fell under planning and regeneration but welcomed strategic discussions. The business manager, Angela D'Urso, added that Southwark was collaborating with other South East London boroughs to address this issue. Members felt that the consultation on recommendations from the Housing Commission should encompass the needs of Gypsies and Travellers.

STAG also raised concerns about restrictions on animals roaming sites, particularly where communal areas were not external. The business manager emphasised that animals should be restrained when contractors were on site and that officers were reviewing how this requirement could be amended. Nuisance dogs could be dealt with under existing powers relating to anti-social or criminal behaviour. STAG was also concerned about proposals to introduce payment of water rates, given changes in benefits and potential disparity between old and new agreements. The council would continue to consult on this. Officers were working to identify families affected by benefit changes and direct payment proposals, with the aim of seeking an exemption for Gypsies and Travellers.

Members suggested that parts of the agreement needed clearer explanations in plain English, which could be added to a glossary. The business manager highlighted that consultation had involved face-to-face visits to the sites. The committee acknowledged STAG's role in drafting the agreement and expressed concern about its continued resourcing, as STAG's funding from the Irish Government was only secured until the end of July. A suggestion was made that the council might consider funding STAG as part of its re-commissioning of advice services.

The committee resolved to note the actions taken and commitments made regarding the new written agreement for Gypsies and Travellers, and the future actions to be taken. They also noted the next steps, including dates for the revised Individual Decision Making (IDM)¹, and the officers' intention to amend paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 of the agreement. Councillor Toby Eckersley requested that his vote against resolution 4 be recorded.

Furthermore, the committee recommended that the consultation on the future of housing provision in the borough include future provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites, and that these groups be formally consulted, in view of overcrowding on existing sites. They also recommended that the cabinet explore funding for the Southwark Travellers Action Group to enable them to maintain their services, believing that these services save the council money.

Maternal Health & Early Years: Gypsies and Travellers (Final Report)

Councillor Mark Williams, chair of the Health, Adult Social Care, Communities & Citizenship Scrutiny Sub-Committee, introduced the final scrutiny report on maternal health and early years for Gypsies and Travellers. He highlighted an additional recommendation regarding the future funding of STAG, which had been omitted in error: That cabinet explores funding for Southwark Travellers Action Group so that they can maintain their services, the sub-committee firmly believes that the services provided by STAG save the council money. Councillor Williams emphasised that while Gypsies and Travellers represented a small percentage of the borough's population, their needs still required addressing. The committee thanked the sub-committee for its work, and the report was submitted to the cabinet for consideration.

TRA Halls and Communal Rooms (Final Report)

Councillor Gavin Edwards, chair of the Housing, Environment, Transport & Community Safety Scrutiny Sub-Committee, introduced the final report on TRA halls and communal rooms. Regarding concerns about a fair rents system, Councillor Edwards explained the aim was for all Tenants' and Residents' Associations (TRAs)² to contribute, without increasing the overall income to the council.

Concerns were raised about recommendations to convert under-used halls into homes, with a suggestion that there might be valid reasons for their lack of use. Similarly, concerns were voiced about converting halls into homes where the TRA was defunct, as TRAs might be re-formed and require a hall. Councillor Edwards indicated that recommendations 9 and 10 could be amended to address these points. Members discussed the possibility of requiring new builds to include community space and stressed that community facilities existing before the demolition of council housing should be replaced in any new development.

It was emphasised that halls hired out should only be after the applicant formally agreed to specific regulations and procedures. The Tenants' Halls Working Party was developing a standard hire agreement, and it was hoped this would also cover insurance. The possibility of under-use being related to issues like lack of sound-proofing was raised, with the suggestion that effective regulations and good management could resolve noise issues.

Recommendations 12 to 14, which addressed instances of fraud, were welcomed by members. The committee identified facilities not listed in the table of TRA halls, including Lettsom Hall and facilities on the Glebe and East Dulwich Grove estates. They also hoped that the membership of the Tenants Halls Working Party would be kept up to date to represent all area forums. The committee thanked the sub-committee for its work, and the report was submitted to the cabinet for consideration, subject to appropriate amendments to recommendations 9 and 10.