Agenda item

Councillor Sue Burke, Portfolio Holder for Reducing Inequality, presented her report to the Council, which had been set out on pages 21 – 34 of the agenda.  It was noted that the report covered a wide range of areas which reflected the Council’s commitment to reducing inequality. 

Councillor Burke wished her thanks be noted to all staff for their hard work during the pandemic. 

The Council was provided with an opportunity to make comments and ask questions, where the following points were confirmed:

·         Post-Pandemic Homeless Data – it was reported that there were 239 open homelessness enquiries as at 17 January 2022 of which: 24 were at the initial enquiry stage; 39 were likely to be homeless within 56 days; 143 were statutorily homeless; and 33 were awaiting accommodation. It was also noted that 41 individuals had been placed in temporary accommodation. 

·         Kickstart Scheme – it was queried whether data had shown whether the Kickstart Scheme had resulted in a decrease in the uptake of universal credit. It was confirmed these figures would be provided to Councillor Strengiel.

·         Benefits Advice Team Visits – it was queried whether the visits made by the Benefits Advice Team had resumed, following the temporary pause owing to the pandemic. In response, it was advised that this would continue to be reviewed regularly in line with national restrictions / health and safety advice.

·         Afghanistan Refugees – it was confirmed that the City Council had settled three families, who had settled in well.

·         Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour Enforcement – the enforcement action figures, as detailed on page 30 of the agenda, concerning dog fouling were queried, as they were deemed too low compared to the number of incidences.  In response, it was advised that more preventative work was required to reduce the incidences of dog fouling. 

·         University and Students’ Union – it was queried what the ‘student issues’ were, as detailed on page 31 of the agenda, which had previously been discussed at the Performance Scrutiny Committee.  It was suggested that in future, reports were updated following the Performance Scrutiny Committee to contain information which was discussed or clarified.  In responses to a question on the lack of data on drink spiking within the report, it was confirmed that the data had been requested from the relevant partners.

·         Food Vouchers for vulnerable families – it was commented that it was pleasing to see that the City Council had provided a grant of £5,430 towards the Food in School Holidays Christian Incorporated Organisation Project.

·         Domestic Violence – the Portfolio Holder committed to speaking to Councillor Matt Fido on a new scheme, similar to Ask Angela, which involved the wearing of badges to highlight that individuals could be approached to raise any domestic violence concerns. 

·         Unemployment Rates / Poverty Line – It was commented that whilst unemployment figures were falling, in Lincoln almost half of the people who fell below the acceptable poverty line were in paid employment, which put into question any correlation between employment and the route out of poverty.  Therefore, it was stated that there should be no complacency over raising employment rates.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.