Agenda item

30.1     The Board considered a report providing an update on the ongoing welfare concerns for unsupported homeless people placed in Kendal Court and other temporary accommodation in the Lewes and Eastbourne areas by Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC).

30.2     Mark Stainton, Director of Adult Social Care informed the Board that a response had been received to the 4th November letter on Friday (after the publication of the HWB papers). The reply did not attempt to address the issues and restated BHCC’s position in respect to the Care Act 2014, i.e., that it was adhering to its requirements. It did, however, indicate a reduction in out-of-area placements in East Sussex to 168, with 64 now in Eastbourne – a much lower figure – due to the decant of clients from a hotel BHCC had commissioned following the potential planning enforcement action. The balance of 104 out-of-area placements remain in Lewes District. The letter also said the numbers would remain around this level, suggesting no strategic plan to address the temporary accommodation issues in Brighton & Hove. The letter also stated BHCC is reviewing the Healthwatch report that was published two and a half months ago.

30.3     The Director of Adult Social Care also informed the Board that a further resident of Kendal Court had sadly taken their own life on Friday, taking the death toll of residents to ten. ESCC is now seeking legal advice to help prevent further harm or death of Brighton & Hove residents placed temporarily in Kendal Court.

30.4     John Routledge, Director of Healthwatch, said Healthwatch is pressing BHCC for a response to the recommendations it made in its report on Kendal Court but had not yet had a response. He added that BHCC had taken on board the recommendations for commissioning new temporary emergency accommodation going forward and that may be an opportunity to improve things at Kendal Court, as the lease for the building expires next year and it could enable the City Council to demand higher standards of the provider. He added that about half of those being placed in East Sussex, including some in Kendal Court, were happy with the arrangement and were making plans for their future, however, the issue is with vulnerable people being placed in East Sussex.

30.5     The Board expressed serious concern about the situation at Kendal Court and the lack of engagement from BHCC. Board members hoped the issue could be resolved as soon as possible and expressed support for ESCC to seek legal advice, suggested that ESCC should explore whether there are any legal covenants on Kendal Court, and suggested exploring whether there is scope for the Safeguarding Adults Board to look at carrying out a thematic safeguarding review of Kendal Court.

30.6     The Board RESOLVED to:

1) Note the additional information, ongoing concerns and actions set out in this report in respect of Brighton and Hove residents temporarily accommodated in East Sussex; and

2) Agree to receive a further update report on the situation, at its next meeting on 1 March 2022.