1. Flooding Commission Wednesday 11 November 2009 Paul Thompson Head of Housing Services

2. Context South Tyneside Homes manages the 18,000 Council homes in the Borough In Housing Services local housing teams work closely with Property Services, the Council and other strategic partners We can, and have provided assistance to customers who's homes have been flooded We have added to the resources previously available to help manage similar incidents

3. In the event of flood affecting customers homes, what would we do? STH are partners in Council Emergency Plan We are developing our own to add value to this Property Services Provide a 24 hour emergency service for repairs Senior management have an emergency contact procedure to mobilise resources We would work with the emergency services and others to assist those affected

4. Providing emergency accommodation Our Empty Homes Team now manage 13 homeless units, in locations across the Borough All properties are furnished and contain basic household items Immediate housing could be available in the event of an emergency situation Bed and Breakfast accommodation would also be used if this was needed

5. Assisting victims with furniture From September 2009 we have a partnership with Newcastle Furniture Service (NFS) to offer a Furnished Tenancuies to new teannts NFS provide furniture and white goods including sofa’s and chairs, beds and wardrobes as well as washing machines and fridges NFS would support us in helping flood victims and have in Blyth where they provided furniture needed for 6 homes badly affected by floods STH would need to consider how this would be paid

6. Providing low cost home insurance We provide tenants with the option of purchasing low cost `contents insurance` through RSA Legally we can’t force insurance provision RSA includes no policy excess, new for old, and low cost cover for over 60’s in receipt of state pension Storm or Flood damage specifically included Currently over 700 tenants have taken up cover Campaign being considered to increase take up We don’t know how many have alternate insurance

7. Your Questions and Comments