7,600 incidents of domestic abuse in 2019: Key issues discussed at Sunderland City Council cabinet meeting

The meeting was held at Sunderland Civic Centre.

In its last meeting of the year, Sunderland City Council’s ruling cabinet threw their support behind plans to provide new housing, support the vulnerable and reduce traffic disruption.

Highlights from meeting at the civic centre on Tuesday, December 10, include:

Highways Permit Shake-up

The scheme, backed by government, will help strengthen the council’s powers to enforce conditions on highway works, with fines if contractors break the rules.

Under the plans, firms have to apply for advance permission and pay a permit fee before works can take place.

As a result, the council will have more control over where and when gas, electricity and internet providers can dig up roads across the city.

The changes also aim to reduce traffic delays, disruption and carbon emissions.

A cabinet report states that the scheme could create around five full-time equivalent jobs.

It adds that set-up costs of £140,000 for ICT, training, office furniture and staffing would be “recoverable through the permit fees going forward.”

Support for domestic abuse victims

As part of a refresh of core domestic abuse services, council bosses agreed to introduce a “sanctuary scheme” provision.

The £43,000-a-year scheme will help victims to remain in their own homes by implementing security and support measures.

The changes are part of a long-term council commitment to support domestic abuse services in the city.

According to Northumbria Police data, incidents of domestic abuse in Sunderland have risen by 20% between 2014-2019.

A report prepared for city leaders added there were 7,677 incidents recorded in 2019, affecting 4,636 individual victims.

As the council’s core services contract is due to expire next year, cabinet agreed to temporarily extend it to March 2021.

A full re-procurement of the service is set to take place as soon as possible.

However, the length and terms of the contract will be decided at a later date.

Affordable bungalows

New homes for older people and those with support needs also won backing from council bosses.

Dozens of new build affordable bungalows are planned, with nine for general needs and 15 to 17 for tenants with physical disabilities.

Sites include Albert Place in Washington and Boult Terrace in Houghton.

Specialist bungalows are also planned to compliment capital plans for the £1.4 million Cork Street Day Centre.

The bungalow developments fall against a backdrop of Sunderland City Council becoming a social housing provider and applying for ‘Investor Partner’ status.

The changes aim to tackle the problem of vacant properties on Wearside and the ‘supply of homes for older people’, among other issues.

Around £2.850 million has sidelined for the affordable bungalow schemes, with city leaders hoping to start works in April 2020.

As a registered provider, the council can also apply for Homes England funding to support the projects.