Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the report on the latest Covid-19 recovery plan for the Thriving workstream. The report provided an update to Committee on progress across a number of core themes under the workstream including business support, unemployment, homelessness, housing supply and digital connectivity. 

Councillor McGuirk discussed her Members item on self-employed and small business support. She raised the issue that many businesses had not been able to work or generate income due to the lockdown restrictions, however, were not eligible for furlough arrangements. Councillor McGuirk requested that figures outlining how many people and business had been affected and the types of support available to assist them, be included within the body of the recovery plan report submitted to the next Housing and Growth Committee meeting. Councillor McGuirk also asked for an update on what assistance could be provided to those working in the creative industries, which had been particularly adversely affected by Covid-19.

Officers advised the Committee, that work had been done in collaboration with the FSB to identify sole traders and small businesses seeking grants and offering support. Officers notified the Committee that a significant amount of small business grants had already been distributed out across the borough to 4,800 businesses but acknowledged that there was still more work to be done. Officers also flagged two schemes currently available and advertised on the Council’s webpages; 1) Additional restrictions scheme for small businesses and 2) Self employment income support scheme run by central government. Officers agreed to incorporate an update on this work within the next recovery report.

Councillor Edwards introduced his Members item on homelessness and evictions. Councillor Edwards thanked Barnet Homes for all the work that had done to prevent any evictions taking place since March 2020. He asked for clarification on the reference to targeting recruitment in the care sector within the report and asked that the Council worked to improve the image of the care sector, including increasing training, professionalism, and the rates of pay. Councillor Edwards also asked officers to update the Committee on the situation regarding homeless applications within the private sector and what the impact of the governments ban on bailiff evictions ending on the 21^st February might be.

The Assistant Director of Development and Economy advised that employment opportunities had arisen within the care sector and the Council was working to support and develop individuals currently unemployed, into these roles. The Covid vaccination programme had provided a number of opportunities for individuals to find employment via supporting this campaign, which would also result in permanent and long-term employment.

The Barnet Group Chief Executive advised that there had been a reduction in the amount of homeless applications within the private sector, however the rate was not zero, but a significant decrease. The homeless service was supporting a far higher number of single homeless people than families during this time, which brought different challenges in terms of finding suitable and available accommodation. Following the 21^st February, officers felt there could be difficulties due to the restrictions around face to face consultations, particularly when assisting families, but felt that any rise in applications would be gradual. The Barnet Group Chief Executive advised that they had seen a trend, in which landlords were being more realistic about who they would rent to and for how long they would provide tenancies.

Councillor Edwards asked that if the ban on bailiff evictions ends on the 21^st February, an update be brought back to the next meeting to outline what the implications of the changes have been on the community. Officers agreed to provide a report.

Councillor Conway asked officers if accreditation schemes could be used to assist residents moving from one sector to the other, to demonstrate their transferable skills and for those that have been volunteering during the pandemic or whilst on furlough.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised that an accreditation scheme could be looked into as part of the overall piece of work being done on helping people get back into work following the pandemic.

Following discussion of the report, the Chairman moved to vote on the recommendations as outlined in the officer’s report.

The votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that the Committee:

-       Noted the report.

-       Requested that the figures outlining how many people and businesses had been affected by the pandemic and the types of support available to them be included in the next update report.

-       Requested that an update be provided at the next meeting on the implications following the potential ban on bailiff evictions on the 21^st February 2021.