The recent Ross Kemp documentary ‘Forced our Families,’ highlighted a worrying problem of Medway families being forced out of the Borough. Alongside other members of the Medway Labour Leadership, I wrote to the Chief Executive on 4th July 2020, in a letter which set out ten questions looking at Medway’s relocation processes.
Can the Portfolio Holder provide his response to the questions detailed in the letter, which he was copied in to?
For clarity these are as follows:
1. In the documentary it makes clear that some local authorities have converted office blocks etc outside of the borough using permitted development for use as temporary accommodation – Has Medway Council taken this approach at any point over the last five years?
2. Nick from Chatham was clear on the documentary that he was informed by Medway Council staff that if he didn’t accept temporary accommodation in Bradford his children would be put into care. It is unclear from the documentary whether this was said by social services or housing officers. Could the council confirm whether this sort of language and phrase would be used by any council staff during discussions with residents?
3. How many children have been taken into care by Medway as a result of parents not relocating to any areas more than 25 miles away from Medway?
4. In the last five years what is the number of Medway residents placed out of area?
5. In the last five years what is the number of Medway households with children placed out of area?
6. In the last five years what boroughs have Medway moved residents to?
7. In the last five years which boroughs have Medway Council informed that they have moved residents to because it is clear in the documentary that Bradford was not informed?
8. In the last five years which boroughs have informed Medway Council that they have moved residents to our area?
9. What professional estimate does the housing department at Medway Council give for number of residents in the last five years moved to Medway where the council haven’t been informed?
10. The anonymous resident spoke of having to be moved to Bradford due to his support dog meaning no accommodation was available for him in Medway. The Medway Council response in the documentary stated where residents are moved out of area it “supports them during this time” – could you share what support Medway Council gives to residents when they are 235 miles away?
Minutes:
“The recent Ross Kemp documentary ‘Forced our Families,’ highlighted a worrying problem of Medway families being forced out of the Borough. Alongside other members of the Medway Labour Leadership I wrote to the Chief Executive on 4th July 2020, in a letter which set out ten questions looking at Medway’s relocation processes.
Can the portfolio holder provide his response to the questions detailed in the letter, which he was copied in to?
For clarity these are as follows:
1. In the documentary it makes clear that some local authorities have converted office blocks etc outside of the borough using permitted development for use as temporary accommodation – Has Medway Council taken this approach at any point over the last five years?
2. Nick from Chatham was clear on the documentary that he was informed by Medway Council staff that if he didn’t accept temporary accommodation in Bradford his children would be put into care. It is unclear from the documentary whether this was said by social services or housing officers. Could the council confirm whether this sort of language and phrase would be used by any council staff during discussions with residents?
3. How many children have been taken into care by Medway as a result of parents not relocating to any areas more than 25 miles away from Medway?
4. In the last five years what is the number of Medway residents placed out of area?
5. In the last five years what is the number of Medway households with children placed out of area?
6. In the last five years what boroughs have Medway moved residents to?
7. In the last five years which boroughs have Medway Council informed that they have moved residents to because it is clear in the documentary that Bradford was not informed?
8. In the last five years which boroughs have informed Medway Council that they have moved residents to our area?
9. What professional estimate does the housing department at Medway Council give for number of residents in the last five years moved to Medway where the council haven’t been informed?
10. The anonymous resident spoke of having to be moved to Bradford due to his support dog meaning no accommodation was available for him in Medway. The Medway Council response in the documentary stated where residents are moved out of area it “supports them during this time” – could you share what support Medway Council gives to residents when they are 235 miles away?”
Councillor Doe thanked Councillor Khan for her question. He stated that the Chief Executive had received the letter from Councillors Khan, Maple and Johnson containing these questions, and the reply, which was being worked on, would provide detailed responses to the issues that had been raised.
He stated that, as referred to in his previous response to the question from Mr Chespy on the same issue, only a small percentage of households, some 7%, were re-housed outside of Medway and this was undertaken in agreement with the household and not as an offer to end the Council’s responsibility under homelessness legislation.
During 2019/20, the Council’s Housing team had secured 40 properties outside of Medway, almost a quarter of which were identified by the household that had approached the Council for help. These moves were into secure accommodation on an assured shorthold tenancy that would have been affordable to the tenant and, where needed, support was provided to ensure people were linked into local services.
Councillor Doe concluded by saying that the Council remained committed to securing housing for people within Medway. However, there were circumstances where this may not be possible or appropriate and the Council offered options leaving freedom of choice for the applicant.