Anti-Poverty Strategy progress report 2015/16 · Anti-Poverty Strategy progress report 2015/16 ......

Anti-Poverty Strategy progress report 2015/16

Objective 1 - Helping people on low incomes to maximise their income and minimise their costs

Action Complet-ion date

Performance measures Progress update

1.1 Launch the new Community Grants programme focussing on city residents with the highest needs, including those in poverty. This funding will support a number of the anti-poverty strategy objectives, by providing funding for activities such as employment support, legal and financial advice, reducing isolation, supporting low income families, providing low cost activities, and digital inclusion.

July 2014 a) Grants budget for 2015/16 is fully allocated to Voluntary Sector activities that meet the Council's new grants priorities - Mar 2015

b) Additional workshops and support provided to community groups prior to application submission

c) Grant awards for 2015/16 are monitored to ensure they deliver the outcomes set out in funding agreements - Summary report produced in June 2016

a) The new Community Grants programme was launched in autumn 2014. The new funding objectives are consistent with the Anti-poverty Strategy objectives. The full £900,000 Community Grants budget for 2015/16 was allocated to projects meeting these criteria.

b) Two initial briefings for voluntary and community groups were held in July / August 2014. Extensive targeted publicity was carried out. 3 workshops for the main community grants and 2 workshops for Area Committee grants were held in February 2015. Groups identified as needing support were offered 1-to-1 phone calls with City Council grants team staff, and CCVS and Cambridgeshire Ethnic Community Forum held support workshops for member organisations.

c) Monitoring information is currently being collected from groups. As part of this, value for money and low cost activities are assessed.



1.2 Work with the Living Wage Foundation to become an accredited Living Wage employer, including paying City Council staff the Living Wage and working with our contractors to pay the Living Wage

February 2015

a) All City Council direct employees to be paid a minimum of the national Living Wage rate

b) All agency workers to be paid a minimum of the national Living Wage rate after 4 weeks of their engagement with the City Council.

c) All new City Council contracts let on a Living Wage basis, where this is legally possible

d) All existing contracts reviewed for the Living Wage position at the earliest opportunity: at a break clause in the contract; when considering whether or not to take up an option to extend a contract; or at the contract renewal date.

a) and b) The City Council achieved accreditation as a Living Wage Employer by the Living Wage Foundation in November 2015. The City Council pays a minimum of the Living Wage rate for directly employed staff and agency staff.

c) A Living Wage Quick Guide to Procurement for Council staff was published on the intranet, and all relevant new contracts are being let on a Living Wage basis.

d) Under the terms of the Council’s accreditation, all existing contracts must be converted to a Living Wage basis by November 2017. All existing contracts were reviewed and those which needed to be converted were identified. The most significant of these is the contract with GLL for the management of Council-owned leisure facilities. Proposals will be presented to Community Services Committee on 30 July 2016. The Living Wage Foundation granted an exemption for two contracts (Clay Farm Community centre and Clay Farm Affordable Housing construction), as work is due to be completed by end of 2016/17.



1.3 Promote Living Wage accreditation among businesses and other organisations in Cambridge, such as Colleges and Universities.

December2016

Number of Cambridge employers that have achieved Living Wage accreditation Number of employees working for employers that have achieved Living Wage accreditation

The number of accredited employers in the city is now 44. 61 more companies have asked for further information and 15 of these are seriously considering applying for accreditation. 26 more have confirmed that they pay the Living Wage to all directly employed staff, but have taken a business decision not to pursue Living Wage accreditation The Council appointed a coordinator in November 2014 who has promoted the Living Wage to employers through;

direct contact with 948 organisations through telephone calls, emails and distributing promotional material

meetings with over 46 employers

direct approaches to; tenants of Council commercial properties; all grant-funded organisations; and all organisations with a connection to the Council

organising 6 events targeted at employers in different sectors, including the hi-tech sector, facilities managers and cleaning companies, and tourism and hospitality businesses.

speaking at business networks, including the Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Directors, and Business Networks International.

promoting the Living Wage campaign to



residents and consumers at the Big Weekend, Anglia Ruskin Freshers Fair and Cambridge University Freshers Fair.

1.4 Continue to assist City Council tenants to apply for welfare benefits, and provide a rent advice and debt counselling service to City Council tenants

Ongoing a) Support provided to new tenants who claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support so that they do so in their first week of their tenancy commencement

b) Keep the number of evictions for rent arrears to no more than 22 during 2014 / 2015

c) Keep rent arrears below 1.80 % of annual debit of £38 million

a) The Council has continued to provide rent advice to new tenants during 2015/16.

b) During 2015/16 there were a total of 20 evictions.

c) Rent arrears were 1.23% of the annual debit at the end of 2015/2016.

1.5 Continue to support Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claimants to receive their full entitlement, and continue to collect outstanding debts in as sensitive a manner as possible to ensure that further hardship is minimised

Ongoing 16 days to process new claims and changes in circumstance

The Council continues to support Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claimants to receive their full entitlement, and continues to collect outstanding debts in as sensitive a manner as possible to ensure that further hardship is minimised. The number of days taken to process new claims and changes in circumstances continues to be well below national averages at 14 days.



1.6 Work in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, housing providers and the voluntary sector to support vulnerable benefit claimants in the transition to Universal Credit, as set out in the DWP’s Local Support Services Framework (LSSF)

March 2017

Work with partners to support Universal Credit customers.

The Universal Credit Delivery Partnership Agreement was signed ahead of the implementation date for Universal Credit for claimants who are single and out of work. This agreement sets out the framework for supporting these customers with financial, digital and claiming support. The Council is working in partnership with Citizens Advice Bureau and other organisations to ensure a joined up approach to the early transitions to Universal Credit and to prepare for the digital rollout from 2017.

1.7 Continue to fund debt advice services provided by voluntary organisations and signpost people with financial capability issues to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB), credit unions and Money Advice Centre for advice

February 2015

Funding for debt advice services confirmed (level of funding will depend upon grant applications and how it meets the Council's grant priorities) – January 2015

Debt advice services have been funded in 2015/16 through the Council’s Community Grants programme, with grants being made to Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Centre 33 (for young people aged 25 and under)

1.8 Further support and promote the services offered by credit unions in Cambridge, including: exploring options for a city centre shop unit for credit union services

June 2015 Performance measures will be confirmed once the project is are worked up in more detail. However, they are likely to include: Increase in credit union membership from residents living in wards in Cambridge with higher levels of

The Council has further supported and promoted the services offered by credit unions in Cambridge during 2015/16 by:

Expanding neighbourhood access points for credit unions in five new locations in the city including a number of community centres; providing support to recruit new volunteers to



delivering a Junior Savers Pilot project working with one secondary and one primary school in a low income area of the city to encourage young people to open savings accounts with a credit Union.

deprivation Number of Cambridge residents joining the credit union who are currently unable to access bank accounts Increase in the number of loans by credit unions to residents living in wards in Cambridge with higher levels of deprivation Increase in the number of Cambridge residents opening ‘jamjar’ accounts with credit unions

staff the access points; and a promotional campaign to increase membership of credit unions. This work has helped increase credit union membership by 68 people over the first five months.

Adapting the Council’s Customer Service Centre to create a dedicated Advice Hub launched in May 2015 for the credit unions to operate from, alongside other organisations providing financial advice including the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and relevant Council services.

Delivering a Junior Savers Pilot project, working with one secondary and one primary school in low income areas of the city. This has led to 76 young people open savings accounts with a credit union.

1.9 Provide extra promotion in Cambridge for the collective County-wide energy-switching scheme, which aims to secure cheaper energy deals for local residents.

Ongoing Number of residents switching to cheaper energy deals as a result of the collective-switching scheme

As part of the Council’s Fuel and Water Poverty Action Plan, we promoted the Cambridgeshire County Council collective energy switching scheme, resulting in more than 400 Cambridge residents getting cheaper energy deals. We carried out an extensive marketing campaign, targeting in particular the 4 most deprived wards in the City. Promotion included: a mailshot to more than 8,000 households receiving Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax



Support; posters at City Homes offices, the Customer Service Centre and in key low income areas of the city use of social media; articles in Open Door and Cambridge Matters; information on the Council website; promotion of the scheme through frontline staff and at community events in the most deprived wards.

1.10 Implement a Water and Energy Costs Anti-Poverty Scheme, helping residents in low income areas of the City to assess whether they would benefit from a water meter, an assess rate, or from water efficiency measures

September 2016

Number of residents in low income target areas taking up water meters or moving to an assessed rate

As part of the Council’s Fuel and Water Poverty Action Plan, we have trialled water metering in eleven 1 and 2 bed Council properties. Monthly data from the 11 households involved in the trial is still being collected, but initial results from the trial suggest that significant savings can be achieved. Case studies have been developed and are now being promoted to residents in the four most deprived wards:

by posting them directly to residents living in similar size and types of properties

through partner organisations (e.g. CAB, Age UK, etc) to their clients

through publication on the Council website

promotion at community events We are exploring the possibility of a policy to install water meters in Council properties when they become void. .



1.11 Continue to provide funding for low cost furniture to people on low incomes

Ongoing 630 people per annum provided with low cost furniture across all tenures

The Council has provided funding to Cambridge Re-use to provide low cost furniture to people on low incomes until the end of 2016/17. 287 households received low cost furniture or white goods during the first six months of 2015/16.

1.12 Provide an expanded programme of ‘Community Clear-out Days’ in the North and South of the city, which will save residents money from disposing of bulky waste and help promote a sense of community pride.

Ongoing 6 large scale community clear-out days organised across Cambridge – August 2014. 3 community clear-out days organised by volunteers and community resources - September and October 2014

89 tonnes of bulky waste and recyclable material were collected at 14 community environment days organised by the council during 2015/16. A further 10 community environment days are planned between May and September 2016.

1.13 Work with partners in the Cambridge Sustainable Food City Network to increase food recycling and reduce food waste

March 2016

a) Multimedia ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign delivered to residents in the city, including stalls at 3 events

b) Promotion of food waste recycling, including 6 caddy give-away events

c) Double recycling of food waste in the City from 1 tonne per day

a) A successful Love Food Hate Waste launch event was held, and information and practical advice was provided to residents at 23 events, working jointly with Cambridge Sustainable Food.

b) 990 Kitchen caddies were distributed to encourage recycling and reduce food waste prevention.

c) The commercial food waste collection service has expanded and collected 800kg to 1 tonne of waste per day.

1.14 Work with Cambridgeshire County Council to explore options for the future of the

March 2016

Map data of benefit claimants to CLAS applications – end of December 2014

a) Referring agents within the City Council and partner organisations continue to effectively make referrals to CLAS to support the most vulnerable claimants in crisis.



Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS), and consider alternative sources of funding for individuals or households in crisis situations if CLAS is discontinued

Work with partners to identify potential income streams for the scheme.

b) City Council officers are part of a group providing support and advice to Cambridgeshire County Council on the longer term objectives and funding of the CLAS scheme.

1.15 Explore opportunities for establishing a single referral mechanism to ensure that individuals on low incomes who contact the Council are signposted to relevant services, e.g. advice on debt, benefits or reducing energy and water costs

June16 Project targets and milestones to be confirmed once project is fully scoped

A new information leaflet has been produced which summarises the Council services available for individuals on low incomes. Leaflets are being distributed by council officers and are available at council offices, including the new Advice Hub at the Customer Service Centre. The Council’s webpages on debt and money advice have also been updated to include other free or low cost support services (e.g. food banks, energy and water projects, free swimming etc). Council officers and other agencies will be made aware of the existing referral mechanisms and resources on the website.

1.16 Providing support with premises costs for voluntary and community organisations which support residents on low incomes on a case-by-case basis, and exploring options for co-location of

March 16 Funding and premises support provided to voluntary and community organisations which support residents on low incomes

Funding was allocated in the Council’s Budget Setting Report (BSR) in February 2015 from the Sharing Prosperity Fund for rental support for Cambridge City Foodbank (£14k per annum for 2015/16 and 2016/17) Consideration is being given to providing rental



organisations with complementary objectives e.g. Cambridge City Foodbank and Cambridge Re-use

support for a homeless charity through the Sharing Prosperity Fund for rental support.

Objective 2 – Increasing community pride, raising aspirations and making the move into work easier



2.1 Continue to invest in employment support in order to help families get off benefits and into work

Ongoing Performances measures to be confirmed

The Council has continued to fund an employment support worker employed by Cambridge Housing Society during 2015/16 to help families to get off benefits and into work. During 2015/16 the employment advisor has assisted 40 people to secure employment, 36 people into further education or training, and 25 people into voluntary placements or work experience.

2.2 Deliver an apprenticeship programme, which will increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities for people in City Council services.

March 2018 5 new apprenticeship opportunities created during 2014/15 20 apprenticeship opportunities created in total by 2017/18

The Council’s apprenticeship programme was progressed during 2015/16. We currently have 7 apprentices in post and are scheduled to recruit a further 8 apprentices in 2016/17. It took longer than anticipated to set up apprenticeship arrangements, which delayed the first appointments, so it is expected that the programme will now be completed by 2018. We are also currently preparing for the



implications of introduction of the national Apprenticeship Levy from April 2017.

2.3 Work with Cambridgeshire County Council, SPICE and CHS Group to roll-out the ‘time-credit’ scheme in Abbey and Kings Hedges to support residents on low incomes to volunteer

June 2015 Milestones for project are yet to be confirmed - Cambridgeshire County Council are leading

Time credits are currently being given to volunteers by a number of local community organisations, including Abbey People, The Centre at St Paul’s, Winter Comfort and CHS Group. Over 300 time credits have been awarded since October 2015. Time credits can be ‘spent’ at a number of cultural, entertainment and leisure providers, including The Junction and the Light Cinema.

2.4 Work with the Cambridge Hub to help connect students to volunteering opportunities in local communities

February 2015

A ‘Volunteer for Cambridge’ Fair is held which brings voluntary groups and students together to promote volunteering - 28 February 2015

The Council has promoted volunteering by holding two successful Volunteer Fairs at the Guildhall:

The first event in February 2015 brought together more than 80 local organisations and 600 members of the public. More than 300 signed up to volunteer with the various organisations.

The second fair, held in January 2016, brought together 94 organisations and 872 members of the public.

2.5 Jointly fund a Skills Service with partners in the Greater Cambridge City Deal and the Greater Cambridge

Mar-20 420 additional apprenticeships created across the Greater Cambridge City Deal area by March 2020

The Signpost 2 Skills Service was formally launched in January 2016. The service is being delivered by Form the Future, a social enterprise based at the Future Business Centre



Greater Peterborough LEP, which will work with young people in schools to raise their awareness of career opportunities in the local economy and stimulate further education colleges and other training providers to provide qualifications and courses which meet the needs of local businesses

Qualifications and courses provided by further education colleges and other training providers better meet the needs of local businesses and the Greater Cambridge economy

in Kings Hedges, and is jointly funded by the Greater Cambridge City Deal partnership and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The programme has already held a number of successful events allowing local employers to meet students from schools across the area to offer advice, showcase opportunities and help them make informed decisions about their future career, training or study path.

2.6 Continue to fund a learning and development service for homeless people based in a partner agency

Ongoing Number of homeless people attending learning and development sessions

The Council has committed to fund a learning and development service for homeless people at Wintercomfort until September 2018. During 2015/16, each quarter there were around 200 instances of individuals accessing learning and development opportunities.

2.7 Continue to fund an employment worker in a partner agency with a specific remit to target those in housing need

Ongoing 38 people in housing need gaining employment

The Council has committed to fund an employment worker at CHS Group with a specific remit to target those in housing need until March 2017. During the first three quarters of 2015/16 28 people gained employment.

2.8 Continue to fund and support events which increase community pride and cohesion, such as the Big Weekend, Chesterton Festival, Arbury Carnival and

Ongoing Big Weekend event held – July 2015 Community events supported, such as Chesterton Festival (June), Arbury Carnival (June) and Cherry

The Big Weekend 2015 took place from 10-12th July, with a total estimated attendance of 30,000 people. The event included a range of elements designed to increase community pride and cohesion, including a Cambridge Mela, the Pink Festival cabaret,



Cherry Hinton Festival Hinton Festival (September) and the Museum of Cambridge tea tent marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Strawberry Fair, a one day volunteer run festival was supported through the Community Grants programme to take place on Midsummer Common.

Mill Road Winter Fair, Cherry Hinton Festival and Romsey Art festival were supported through Area Committee Grants.

The Museum of Cambridge project, Capturing Cambridge, was supported through a community grant, and has been training community volunteers to capture oral histories from across the city.

2.9 Continue to support an annual programme of events which celebrate diversity and promote community cohesion

Ongoing Successful programme of events delivered linked to each national or international event

Black History Month

Cambridgeshire Celebrates Age

Disability History Month

Holocaust Memorial Day

International Women’s Day

Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month

The annual programme of celebratory events was delivered in partnership with a wide range of city organisations. It included the following events:

Black History Month - the programme included lectures, storytelling, performance poetry, live music and film. The Council convened and facilitated the steering group, and funded the publicity

Disability History Month – the Council ran a civic event at the Meadows Centre with a



Refugee Week national speaker, stalls and discussion.

Holocaust Memorial Day – the Council funded a civic held at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, which included speakers and performances featuring local schools.

International Women's Day – the Council organised an event at Ross Street Community Centre which was attended by 55 women where food and dance traditions were shared.

LGBT History Month – The Council provided significant officer support for the launch of LGBT History Month at a public event at Queen's College, and support for the steering group continued through to the main events.

Refugee Week - planning was led by Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum, with administrative support and funding for publicity provided by the City Council.

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2.10 Ensure that the proposed development and regeneration of the Cambridge Northern Fringe East area benefits neighbouring disadvantaged communities, including maximising local employment, skills and

February 2018 (Area Action Plan submission)

Number of new jobs created at the Cambridge Northern Fringe East site Number of new affordable homes delivered at Cambridge Northern Fringe East site (N.B. The Area Action Plan will run

The Council is currently taking forward a number of stages in the Cambridge Northern Fringe East project, including urban design and a major transport study. However, the nature of an Area Action Plan (AAP) is that it is a long term process, and it will be some time before the anticipated employment opportunities and affordable homes are delivered.



training opportunities, helping to meet local demand for housing, including affordable housing, and improving the physical and social linkages.

from 2018-2031 and new jobs and homes will be delivered over this period)

Objective 3 - Reducing the impact of poverty on children and helping low income families with the cost of raising a child



3.1 Work with Cambridgeshire County Council to provide pre-school childcare space at Buchan Street and Ross Street Community Centres

Jan-16 Childcare providers selected by September 2014 Building works complete by December 2014. Childcare providers operational in February/March 2015 (subject to OFSTED certification) Number of new childcare places created at Buchan Street and Ross Street Community Centres

The Council has worked with Cambridgeshire County Council to carry out adaptation works at Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre and Ross Street Community Centre to create space for childcare provision and to appoint nursery providers.

Brunswick Nursery has been operating at Buchan St Neighbourhood Centre since January 2015 and Romsey Mill has been operating at Ross Street Community Centre since April 2015. 24 places are available every morning in each setting. Opportunities for afternoon sessions are being explored with Cambridgeshire County Council and nursery providers.



3.2 Continue to provide local emergency accommodation to keep homeless children and their families within their existing school catchment area

Ongoing Number of temporary accommodation units maintained at 88 to 92, unless demand over a six month period dictates otherwise

The Council has maintained the number of temporary accommodation units within its own housing stock at 88 units. This has reduced the need to house homeless families in bed and breakfast accommodation. It has also helped to ensure that the Council now rarely places homeless families in temporary accommodation outside the Cambridge boundary. This has helped reduce the travelling distance to school for homeless children.

3.3 Continue to provide support for school swimming, and free swimming lessons for those in most need based on referrals from teachers

Ongoing Performances measures to be confirmed, but could include: Number of children receiving free swimming lesson following referrals from teachers

The Council has provided free swimming lessons for 290 children who either come from low income families or cannot swim at the key stage 2 assessment point. The scheme has gone well with most age groups and schools, and regular referrals are being made both via the schools and lesson programmes. Additional sessions will be provided at Abbey and Kings Hedges Pools in 2016/17 to meet demand.

3.4 Continue to support families with a dependent through the City Council’s Local Council Tax Support scheme

Ongoing Performance measure to be confirmed

The City Council has continued to provide a Council Tax Support scheme in the same format as previous years, subject to changes in incomes and other government rates.

Frontline officers are fully aware of the scheme and encourage applications where appropriate. Communication with partner organisations continues to raise the profile of the scheme and it is felt by them to be an effective support for



families in financial need.

3.5 Work in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council to raise awareness of Free School Meals. This will include reviewing the claiming process for Housing Benefit and Council tax support to ensure awareness, and matching data held to identify increases in take-up.

March 2015

Annual data exchange with Cambridgeshire County Council to identify families not applying for Free School Meals and encourage take up.

Cambridgeshire County Council has developed a list of families who may be entitled to Free School Meals. The County Council is using this data to identify whether families have applied for Pupil Premium status and to identify families with rising 2/3/4 year olds to see if they can access the free childcare and early learning places.

Amendments have been made to the City Council’s webpages to encourage applications for Free School Meals, particularly for parents of younger children who automatically receive FSM but may not apply for the Pupil Premium. Enhancements to our e-claiming package later in the year, will allow us to tailor the text to further encourage take up.

3.6 Work in partnership with other organisations in Cambridge and services within the City Council to help develop and deliver the Cambridgeshire Child Poverty Strategy

January 2015

Cambridgeshire County Council to agree new Child Poverty Strategy - January 2015. Percentage of children in Cambridge living in poverty

Cambridgeshire County Council has published the new Cambridgeshire Child Poverty Strategy for 2014-2017. The objectives for the new strategy were endorsed at Strategy and Resources Committee in October 2014. The new strategy includes a number of actions for the City Council which were drawn from the Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Objective 4 – Reducing the link between poor health and poverty



4.1 Support Citizen’s Advice Bureau to prepare a plan and to seek funding for advice sessions in East Barnwell Medical Practice. Sessions would focus on mental health issues due to low income, debt or addiction. The sessions will be run on a pilot basis and will be assessed to see whether the approach is suitable for extending to other practices.

Progress update to Cambridge Local Health Partnership on 23 October 2014. Implementation during early 2015.

The project is in the early stages of development and performance measures are not yet identified. However, they could include: Number of residents attending advice sessions and number of issues resolved.

£25,000 was allocated from the Sharing Prosperity Fund for a pilot outreach project during 2015/16. A CAB advice worker has been in post since April 2015. She has taken referrals from GPs at East Barnwell Medical Practice of clients who are experiencing mental health issues as a result of debt or other financial issues. The advice worker has advised clients on debt issues and been able to identify unclaimed benefits. 64 patients have been seen to date who attended 83 appointments. Clients usually attend with multiple issues and 128 advice subjects’ areas have been recorded for those patients. It is estimated that £160,420 of additional income has been generated for the patients.

4.2 Promote 50% off entry prices at Council-owned sports and swimming facilities for people receiving Means Tested Benefits and free usage of Splashpads and Paddling Pools in parks and open spaces

Ongoing Performances measures to be confirmed, but could include: Number of visits to Council-owned sports and swimming facilities where people have benefitted from 50% reduction in entry prices

The number of concessionary memberships has continued to increase, with over 7,600 members now signed up to be able to access the swimming pools and gym activities at a 50% reduction off the main entry prices.

Free leisure activities continue to be provided in open spaces across the city, with the splash pads and paddling pools continuing to



be very popular and well used.

4.3 Continue to provide targeted sports development work to compliment NHS services in the community e.g Exercise Referral

Ongoing Number of residents attending free exercise referral sessions

Grant funding from the local PCT has been used to setup a pilot project for free exercise referrals from surgeries in the north of Cambridge. Since the scheme started in September 2015, there have been 44 referrals, of which 16 have completed the scheme, and 20 are still currently attending.

4.4 Work with partners in the Cambridge Sustainable Food Network (e.g. Foodcycle, Cambridge City Foodbank) to deliver food projects focussing on cooking skills, growing produce, and information on healthy food and nutrition at neighbourhood level

Ongoing Number of residents in most deprived wards taking part in food-related projects

As part of a wider project funded by the Council’s Sustainable City Grants, Cambridge Sustainable Food delivered three family cookery workshops between June and October 2015 in Arbury and Barnwell. The workshops were attended by 24 adults and 36 children in total. With funding from the Council’s Sharing Prosperity Fund, Cambridge Sustainable Food is providing a further programme of family cookery workshops for 20 parents and children from January 2016 to March 2017.

The Council’s environmental health service has promoted the Healthier Options for Cambridgeshire pilot scheme, which targeted approximately 150 food businesses in the city centre and the catchment areas of seven schools in two less affluent wards in the city (Arbury and King’s Hedges). The scheme



asks businesses to commit to a range of actions to make the food they serve healthier. We are awaiting a report on the outcomes from the Healthier Options pilot scheme. Presentations have also been given to 7 community forums on good food hygiene and healthier food options.

4.5 Explore opportunities to work with partners in the Local Health Partnership to promote public health messages, particularly in relation to anti-smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and healthy eating.

To be confirmed

Performance measures to be identified following further scoping of work on public health promotion

The Local Health Partnership meetings are themed based on the priorities of the Health and Wellbeing board. The meeting in February 2016 focussed on healthy lifestyles and focused on obesity. There is a task and finish group exploring opportunities to work with partners to improve physical activity and diet in the most deprived areas of the city.

4.6 Work with Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership, Cambridge Police, Cambridgeshire County Council, NHS, the Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Cambac and city retailers and other partners to develop a voluntary code on the sale of high strength beers and

Summer 2015, subject to engagement of key partners

Initial discussions with potential partners through the Alcohol Related Violent Crime Group – October 2014 Number of city retailers who adopt the proposed voluntary code on the sale of high-strength beers and ciders

A review of the aims and objectives of the Reduce the Strength campaign is currently being undertaken by the new Licensing and Enforcement Manager. This has involved consultation with the Police and ASB/Street life team and Cambridge Business Against Crime (CAMBAC). A review was required due to a mixed response from the business community to the proposed scheme and hesitation by some traders to take part in such an initiative. Unless there is 100% take



ciders, which will help address anti-social-behaviour issues and reduce harmful alcohol consumption

up from businesses, it is likely that anti-social behaviour will be displaced elsewhere. Other opportunities are being explored, including an OffWatch scheme and the use of test purchase methods to focus the approach on an identified need basis.

4.7 Pilot new ways of working with people involved in street-based anti-social behaviour, including exploring the support available for people with medium to high needs in terms of mental health, substance misuse and alcohol issues

First phase of the pilot will be completed by end of March 2015

Phase one: 12 people identified that fit the pilot criteria and individual action plans developed identifying future support needs Phase two: Reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents involving the individuals in the pilot Increase in number of individuals sustaining a tenancy or hostel accommodation

The Council has worked with other partners to address anti-social behaviour associated with some of the street-life community, such as begging and street drinking. There are a number of preventative activities in progress, such as joint begging patrols by Council officers, Police and the Street Outreach Team, revitalising the Alternative Giving Scheme and delivering workshops on community safety and anti-social behaviour as part of tenancy resettlement work in hostels. Enforcement action is also being considered where individuals are not engaging and their behaviour is having a significant impact on the wider community.



4.8 Continue to provide move on accommodation for adults recovering from mental ill health, in conjunction with the Cambridgeshire County Council and Metropolitan Housing Group

Ongoing 100% of move-on accommodation is occupied 75% or more of tenants in move-on accommodation move into independent accommodation within 3 years

The Council continue to provide move on accommodation for adults recovering from mental ill health, in conjunction with Cambridgeshire County Council and Metropolitan Housing Group. Demand for the accommodation has reduced during 2015/16, with 86.4% of the accommodation occupied on 31 March 2016. 82% of tenants in move-on accommodation have moved onto independent accommodation within 3 years

Objective 5 - Ensuring that vulnerable older people and people with disabilities get the services that they need and reducing the social isolation they can experience



5.1 Continue to provide good quality modern sheltered housing schemes for older people, which incorporate assisted bathrooms and wet rooms

Ongoing a) Percentage of residents in sheltered housing who are satisfied with their accommodation

b) Number of people referred to agencies such as occupational therapy in order to make their home safer

c) Number of people helped to access benefits, such as Attendance Allowance, which

a) 97.6% of those who live in Council sheltered accommodation were satisfied with their accommodation in 2015/16.

b) 42 people were referred to the occupational therapy or the Home Improvement Agency. Of these, 27 people were referred for assistive technology, and 15 were referred to agencies who could give advice on home security or energy saving.

c) The Council’s Independent Living Service



can be used to pay for care (ILS) aided people aged 65+ to access £192,000 in non-housing related benefits.

5.2 Continue to provide a tenure neutral city-wide support service for older people, working with health and social care services at Cambridgeshire County Council and local housing associations

Ongoing a) Number of new clients assessed for support as an older person

b) Percentage of new clients who feel that the service's intervention has had a positive impact on their independence as an older person.

a) Over 835 older people were assessed by the Council’s Independent Living Service (ILS) during 2015/16. Of these, 535 older people were directly supported by ILS staff, while 300 had their support needs assessed and were coping well without support.

5.3 Continue to fund the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (HIA), which provides people living in Cambridge who are elderly or vulnerable, who have disability needs, or who are on a low income, to repair, maintain or adapt their homes

Ongoing Number of people in Cambridge who are elderly or vulnerable, who have disability needs, or who are on a low income, provided with support to repair, maintain or adapt their homes

The Council has continued to fund the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency in 2016/16, alongside South Cambridge and Huntingdonshire District Council. The HIA provided 76 people in Cambridge with Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs), and 11 with discretionary grants during 2015/16.

5.4 Improve promotion of grants and loans to older and vulnerable people with low incomes and savings levels for repairs and home energy improvements to their homes

September2015

Targets for increase in uptake to be agreed, subject to Home Improvement Agency’s capacity to deliver

The promotion of grants and loans for repairs and home energy improvements to older and vulnerable people was superseded by a planned review of grants and loans in the context of budget pressures. Work has now started on analysing the results of a private sector house condition survey which will



provide an evidence base for decisions as part of the review.

5.5 Continue to provide targeted sports development work to complement NHS services in the community, including work to reduce falls amongst older people

Ongoing Performance measures to be confirmed

The Council has continued to deliver a programme of 15 classes per week around Cambridge for the over 55s in partnership with Forever Active and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group’s Falls Prevention Team. There have been 4,976 attendances by older people at these classes to date.

These classes include 7 strength and balance sessions designed to help reduce falls amongst older people. Over the last 2 years participation in these classes has increased by around 100 attendances per month

5.6 Work with partners and voluntary groups to develop and deliver the annual “Cambridgeshire Celebrates Age” festival, which provides a range of inclusive and accessible events

Oct-14 Programme published - October 2014 Regular listings produced for 2015 – January 2015 “Cambridgeshire Celebrates Age” festival delivered - October 2015 Number of older people supported to attend events as part of Cambridgeshire Celebrates Age

The Council has supported the Steering Group for the Cambridgeshire Celebrates Age festival in 2015/16 by the Communities Arts and Recreation Service. We have helped shape a programme of 31 inclusive and accessible events delivered by a range of providers, including several by the Council. Events ranged from fitness and mobility classes to craft and creative workshops.



5.7 Continue to run and support groups for older people in Trumpington, Abbey, Arbury, Akeman Street Community Centre, and Ross Street Community Centre

Ongoing Annual programme of groups supported and positive feedback received from participants

The Council has led on the ‘Broaden your Horizons’ project at Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre, which has involved older people in a programme of events. The Council has also continued to support a number of groups for older people in 2015/16, including:

a computer group for older people to reduce isolation at Trumpington

a 50+ Friends Group at Akeman Street Community Centre, including intergenerational work with the SmartArt Group

some limited outreach work with older BAME people at Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre

The Council has also provided space at its community centres for a number of older people’s groups including:

a Chinese Welfare Group for older Chinese people at Akeman Street Community Centre

a group for older LGBT people at Ross Street

a bingo group at Trumpington pavilion

a community singing group for older



people Ross Street Community Centre

5.8 Continue to provide low cost activities for older people which promote activity and social cohesion e.g Tea Dances and the Mayors Day Out

Ongoing 18 tea dances provided at the Guildhall – September 2014 to May 2015

The Council has continued to provide low cost activities for older people during 2015/16, including 11 tea dances and the Mayors Day Out to Great Yarmouth in August 2015

5.9 Continue to ensure that at least 2% of new social housing is fully wheelchair accessible, with a further 8% to meet other specialist needs provided there is an identified need and appropriate support for the residents is available.

Ongoing a) 2% of new social housing is fully wheelchair accessible

b) Up to 8% of new social housing is provided to meet other specialist needs

a) The Council’s Affordable Housing Programme has exceeded the 2% target for wheelchair accessible dwellings in 2015/16, with new dwellings delivered on Seymour Court and Latimer Close.

b) The Council’s Affordable Housing Programme has also exceeded the 8% target for other specialist needs by delivering homes on Seymour Court. Water Lane and Colville Road. More specialist needs housing will be delivered in 2016/17, such as development on the Bell School site, which will be providing a 90 unit extra care scheme.

5.10 Actively promote volunteering and befriending schemes delivered by voluntary and community organisations such as AgeUK

Mar-16 Increase in the number of people taking part in befriending schemes delivered by voluntary and community organisations to support isolated older people

The Council promoted volunteering through holding a Volunteer Fair in January 2016 which was attended by 872 people. The Fair included 94 stalls, including voluntary and community organisations such as AgeUK and CamSight.



4 new volunteers were recruited to work with the Council’s Independent Living Service (ILS). 34 older people were referred to agencies for help with befriending and the ILS has engaged with the church groups and Anglia Ruskin University to further explore opportunities for befriending.

Objective 6 - Helping people with high housing costs, increasing numbers of affordable homes, and improving the condition of people’s homes



6.1 Develop new homes for rent through the Council’s Affordable Housing Development Programme, and ensure that rent levels are as affordable as possible

Mar-18 a) 146 new homes for rent are provided by March 2015

b) 29 new homes for rent are provided on Homerton College land by 2016/17

c) 78 new homes for rent are provided at Clay Farm by 2017/18

d) Rents levels are set at 60% of market rents wherever possible.

a) 107 units have been built by the end of 2015/16, with another 73 units forecast for completion in 2016/17.

b) 29 new rented homes are currently being built on Homerton College land and will be ready for occupation in 2016/17.

c) 78 new rented homes are currently being built on Virido (Clay Farm) and will be ready for occupation in 2017/18.

d) Rents are set at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, which are roughly 60% of market rent.

6.2 Work through the planning process and with Registered Providers to

Mar-15 274 affordable homes delivered on strategic growth sites and other non-City Council land in 2014/15

90 energy efficient rented dwellings were delivered on the Southern Fringe in 2015/16. The Council completed 62 energy efficient



enable the delivery of new high quality, energy efficient homes for rent at sub-market rates

(projected figure – actual delivery dependent on external factors).

rented dwellings on its own land in 2015/16.

6.3 Continue to invest in heating and energy efficiency improvements to City Council homes

Ongoing – annual programme of improvement

Improve the heating systems of at least 500 properties per year Install insulation to at least 100 properties per year Increase the average SAP energy rating for Council homes by at least 1 point per year

Due to budget reductions, the Council is no longer able to commit to improving as many as 500 heating systems per year. However, wall and loft insulation measures should continue at current rates (at least 100 per year). There is also the law of diminishing returns as we have done a lot of heating and insulation work already and the overall SAP energy rating is relatively high. The average SAP energy rating for Council owned homes will subsequently not increase by at least 1 point per year as planned, but with more energy efficient new build properties being introduced we can hopefully see an increase of around 0.5 points instead.

6.4 Continue to promote energy efficiency improvements to private landlords and homeowners through the Green Deal, and provide additional promotion of energy efficiency measures to residents in low income areas of the City.

Jun-15 Number of completed installs of domestic energy efficiency measures facilitated through Action on Energy

The Council is a partner in the Cambridgeshire-wide Action on Energy partnership. Action on Energy Partnership has used Green Deal Communities funding to install energy efficiency measures to 744 properties across Cambridgeshire, including 262 properties in Cambridge. Funding is available until September 2016, with space to assist 1800 properties in total. We have also agreed changes to the funding to provide



specific assistance to residents in fuel poverty. This offer will be £350,000 to help up to 100 properties in Cambridge for fully funded improvements.

6.5 Continue the Town Hall Lettings scheme providing a local lettings agency to support single homeless people who do not need supported housing to move into private rented accommodation and, in so doing, freeing up spaces in supported accommodation for those who need it

Ongoing 50 single homeless people placed into accommodation in the private rented sector during 2014/15

83 Cambridge City applicants were housed through the single homelessness service (known as the Town Hall Lettings scheme) in 2015/16. The service will be continued during 2016/17 and will be funded through the Council’s Sharing Prosperity Fund. A report will be going to the Council’s Housing Scrutiny Committee in September seeking further funding to support Town Hall Lettings beyond March 2017.

6.6 Continue to fund a Chronically Excluded Adults service, to help people get on a more stable footing and significantly reduce the drain on public resources across sectors

Ongoing Improvement in mental well-being per client (measured through a questionnaire-based assessment) Level of reduction in monthly average service use costs per client to the City Council and other public agencies

The Council has committed to fund the Chronically Excluded Adults (CEA) service until 31 March 2017. Reports for the first three quarters of 2015/16 show improved average mental wellbeing scores from the New Directions Assessment questionnaire for service users. Financial evaluation of the service is yet to be completed.



6.7 Ensure that charges for the new handyperson service are set at a reasonable level, and that the service is accessible to those on low incomes (N.B. subject to PPF bid approval in budget process)

Sep-15 Charging policy to be agreed by April 2015 Performance measures to be identified as part of the development of the project

Procurement is complete and the contract started 1st April. Some selected works are free of charge, with other works charged at £25 per hour. Small works can be difficult to access from private provision, and hourly rate is considered competitive compared to market prices. Arrangements are in place so that those unable to afford to pay are not excluded from receiving the service. No data is available yet, but uptake and extent of charging or otherwise will be monitored.

Objective 7 - Working in partnership to tackle wider barriers to employment and engagement



7.1 Developing a City Council Digital Access Strategy, with the aim of making more City Council services available via digital methods and providing support for those residents experiencing digital exclusion to access digital services. Measures could include: · Working with partners to increase internet access points in community buildings

Mar-16 Number of City Council services available online Number of transactions being carried out online Number of people benefiting from digital access skills training.

The development of the Digital Transformation Strategy has been progressed during 2015/16. Through this strategy, the Council aims to increase the number of transactions for Council services. carried out online. The total number of transactions completed online increased from 5341 in 2014/15 to 10,868 in 2015/16.

The Council has supported a number of digital inclusion projects to help ensure that those residents who currently lack digital skills or technology are able to access



(for example libraries and community centres) · Ensuring that adequate training and support is provided to users by trained staff or ‘Digital Champions’

services online. A total of £15,000 was from the Sharing Prosperity Fund was allocated to three projects:

Camsight provided a package of advice, assessment, training in basic digital skills and ongoing technical support to 28 visually impaired Cambridge residents.

Cambridge Housing Society (CHS) awarded funding to: develop the specialist IT skills of CHS support staff to enable their clients to get online and practise their digital skills; and work with volunteers from Lloyds bank to support digitally excluded older people living in CHS housing.

Cambridge Online was awarded funding to set up and run Digital Inclusion “Clubs” in various City locations

7.2 Continuing to support City Council tenants who are unemployed or in receipt of benefits to access to the internet through the Get On-Line scheme in partnership with CHS, which provides free training and laptop loans.

Ongoing Numbers of City Homes tenants benefitting from free laptop loans and accessing services via the internet as a result

City Homes leant out 40 laptops in 2014/15 to City Council tenants who are either on benefits and/or out of work. During the first half of 2015/16, City Homes ran a 12-week pilot training course for 10 learners at Browns Field Community Centre. In the second half of 2015/16 a combined laptop loan and training scheme was rolled out more widely across the city for Council tenants. A series of 4 12-



week training courses for 24 Council tenants were held at Ross Street Community Centre, The Meadows Community Centre and Rock Road Library.

7.3 Working with partners to continue to roll out public access wi-fi in public locations across Greater Cambridge and carrying out targeted promotion to increase use of this service by low income residents

Mar-16 Numbers of new locations in Cambridge where wi-fi is freely available and accessible for residents, including low income residents

The feasibility of a communal WiFi provision in blocks of council flats is being explored and will come back to committee for approval as and when appropriate.

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