Selective Licensing Scheme Evaluation, re-designated Area Central Bensham

Waste campaign March to October 2018

During the waste campaign the team reminded the residents of their responsibility for their part in managing waste in the neighbourhood, preventing accumulations of waste in their yards, looking after their bin, accessing recycling advice and participating in the recycling service available. The aim was we wanted to bring these services to people so that they are easy to access, and we want to take action against those that wilfully disregard advice and continue to cause problems.

Between March and October 2018 licensing officers, working alongside colleagues from the Environmental Enforcement Team (EET) visited every home in the licensing area. Licensing officers visited the private rented homes and colleagues from EET visited owner occupiers and other tenure homes. During these visits waste issues were identified, advice provided, bins labelled and Council services to resolve the problem were accessed. When required, formal action to deal with waste issues was undertaken as and when necessary.

Community engagement - summer 2020

Following the first lifting of the COVID lockdown restrictions in the Summer of 2020 all properties in the redesignated area were visited by officers and doorstep discussions undertaken with tenants and residents. Coronavirus had such an unprecedented impact on all our lives with many people experiencing job losses, furlough, separation from friends and family, social isolation as well as financial hardship. Therefore, the primary purpose of the campaign was to make face to face contact with residents within the licensing area to see if there were any personal issues that had arisen due to impact of the Coronavirus that we could help with directly, or alternatively 'signpost' to other agencies that could offer support. This included putting people in contact with local foodbanks or support hubs, facilitating discussions with landlords about managing arrears and referring to financial or debt support services.

In addition, the visits also provided an opportunity for us to remind residents that they were living in a designated selective licensing area and the obligations that this placed on them. We took the opportunity to re-connect with tenants to discuss their tenancies, repairs needed in their properties, community related issues, including waste accumulations or even neighbourly disputes which had increased as a result of COVID lockdowns.

During the visit, licensing officers visually inspected the exterior of each licensable property which included the condition of roofs, brick and stonework, windows and doors, paintwork, guttering and the appearance of yards and gardens. Following the inspection, both residents and licence holders (if appropriate) were given a small amount of time to put right any problems that had been identified.

To provide some  incentive, residents were advised that a £50 shopping voucher was to be awarded for the most improved property, yard or garden area. Licence holders were provided with a full summary of the campaign and its outcomes at the beginning of 2021.

Targeted waste campaign - Saltwell Street and Whitehall Road

The rear lane that separates Saltwell Street and Whitehall Road has been of specific concern due to large accumulations of waste and persistent fly tipping. The lane is regularly cleansed and cleared by colleagues in Street Scene Services to try and maintain the area. However, there has still been persistent waste issues and accumulations deposited onto the lane on a weekly basis. Licensing officers regularly find an abundance of fly tipping or large items, strewn rubbish and rubble as well as abandoned and overflowing bins on a weekly basis on the rear lane that divides Saltwell Street and Whitehall Road. Furthermore, there has also been several incidences of arson and bin fires down this particular lane.

Due to these persistent issues the team took the decision to pilot a new approach to combat waste and fly tipping in July 2021, and thereafter. The waste pilot intervention involved serving a Community Protection Warning (CPW) to every household of Saltwell Street (odds 1 to 47) and Whitehall Road (evens 340 to 276). This was served to all households that back onto the rear lane as the team were not entirely sure who was responsible for the fly tipping incidences. The CPW set out the behaviour that was causing the problem and the action that was required to help address these issues. The CPW provides an enforcement tool, which is available to the Council under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. If the warning is not complied with then any residents found to be breaching the terms of the CPW will be served a Community Protection Notice (CPN). Failing to comply with a CPN will result in formal action including a fixed penalty fine or a prosecution.

There has been a significant improvement to the rear lane separating Saltwell Street and Whitehall Road, since the service of the CPW. However, there has still been accumulations of waste deposited from time to time, which is disappointing for the team and the local community. Unfortunately, the person/s responsible for the waste have not been identifiable which means the team have not been able to take further action on those responsible. Officers have tried to engage with residents when investigating fly tipping and waste accumulations but with limited success. The licensing team remain committed to tackling fly tipping and will progress enforcement action to any persons found responsible for such behaviours.

December 2022 - tenant support campaign

The cost-of-living crisis has had a significant impact on households across the United Kingdom. Some tenants within Gateshead's private rented sector have suffered financially and as a result have had to prioritise their finances. This has had a significant impact on households within the licensing areas. In response, the licensing team conducted a proactive tenant support campaign in partnership with Northumbria Police and the Citizens Advice Bureau. 30 The team carried out welfare visits to all properties within the re-designated licensing area to engage with the occupants.

The team attempted to speak to all tenants on their doorstep, to offer advice and support during these challenging times. The Council were accompanied by two officers from the Citizens Advice Bureau who are specifically trained on a number of different issues including debt and money advice, benefit entitlement, fuel poverty, and access to food parcels.

In response to information provided from tenants, there were referrals made, some issues were addressed during the doorstep visit but more specialised support was offered in the following weeks. The team also distributed a leaflet to all households providing information and access to support to many other different organisations such as: Talking Therapies, National Debt line, Age UK, Salvation Army, as well as support to access hot meals or food banks. Furthermore, there was a list provided detailing times and days that tenants can access warm spaces in and around the Bensham area in response to rising energy prices.

Housing support fund

The Household Support Fund Scheme is a government scheme funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). Each local council decides how to use the fund in their local area. The fund consisted of a one-off payment to help residents who were struggling to afford household essentials including energy bills, food, and wider essentials. Officers in private sector housing secured a housing support fund for 20 individual households in the Re-Designated area.