To receive questions in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 12.2 and 12.4 which require a Member to give at least 3 working days’ notice, in writing, of the question to the Chief Executive.
Minutes:
The Mayor advised that one question had been received from Councillor Jenkins to Councillor Caroline Jackson.
Councillor Jenkins asked:
We have been alerted to a serious situation where residents in the Poulton and West End areas of Morecambe have received eviction notices from a property company.
We believe that this property company have also purchased 40+ properties (in excess of 160 beds) in the area to create houses of multiple occupancy (HMO) for ex-offenders and others with a wide range of needs who are not from this area.
Please can I request further information and reassurances from the Council that residents will be fully supported with this issue?
Councillor Caroline Jackson responded, saying:
Before Christmas Council Officers became aware that Dawson Housing a for-profit Social Landlord had bought around 40 properties in Poulton and West End in Morecambe. Many of these include self-contained flats and therefore we understand the occupancy levels of these properties could be in the region of 140 flats (not all of which are currently tenanted). We had been advised that where tenants were still in situ eviction notices had been served with many of the residents being vulnerable and elderly. Council Officers sought immediate confirmation from Dawson Housing that these notices would be rescinded and secured verbal confirmation (subsequently followed up in writing) that this was the case for those living at Anderton Court.
An initial engagement meeting was held before Christmas and a further meeting with wider Council Officers, the Police and Dawson Housing was held in early January. During the meeting concerns about their approach in purchasing properties against earlier advice from the Council was raised, as were our concerns around the current management approach of the properties and advice was provided around what they should do to reassure themselves that they are working within the appropriate realms of planning regulations. Officers from the Council have visited all residents we believe have been affected to offer advice and support and on-going conversations with Dawson Housing continue. We are awaiting confirmation that other residents served an eviction notice will also have their notices rescinded.
Dawson Housing has advised that they are looking to provide temporary supported accommodation for a range of individuals who are homeless, and whilst this will undoubtedly include ex-offenders and others with a wide range of needs, Officers are seeking to ensure that no placements are made into the vacant units without prior approval from the Council to ensure the suitability of residents and help reduce potential issues of ASB. This model has been developed in Preston and therefore there is no reason it cannot be replicated in this District.
Whilst Officers are disappointed that Dawson Housing went against our previous advice in buying up these properties, we are also mindful that there is nothing illegal in this either. However, a complaint has been logged with the Regulator of Social Housing with regards to their behaviour which is being investigated. Nevertheless Officers’ main priority is in ensuring residents currently in this accommodation are supported suitably and that they and the wider community have confidence to raise issues in the management of the properties if these occur, and in doing so we will seek to take the appropriate action available to us.