Decision details

Adopt Homelessness Strategy

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Purpose of the Report - Member to formally agree to adopt the Homelessness Strategy & Action Plan

Decisions:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Director of Communities and the Environment which sought approval of the revised Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2020-23.

 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

 

Option 1: Do not approve the revised Homeless and Rough Sleeper Strategy

 

Advantages: No notable advantages

 

Disadvantages: Not able to carry out our statutory duties to prevent homelessness. Increased statutory homeless applications, increase in rough sleeping, increased health inequalities and increase in use of temporary accommodation costs.

 

Risks: Legal Challenge – the Council would be in breach of its legal requirements and could face censure (and the loss of funding support) from Government. Increased costs to the Council through increasing levels of homelessness and rough sleeping as well as worsened outcomes for local residents.

 

Option 2:        Approve the revised Homeless and Rough Sleeper Strategy

 

Advantages: The Strategy Policy has been independently reviewed and is compliant with current legislation and good practice.  Reduce homelessness, prevents homelessness and rough sleeping and ends the use of Bed and Breakfast for all.

 Disadvantages: No notable disadvantages

 

Risks: Targets set within the strategy are not met – mitigation of this will be through regular monitoring by multi-agency Homelessness Forum as well as Homelessness Advisory Group.

 

 

The Officer preferred option is Option 2.  If the Strategy is approved and adopted this will give officers and partners a clear framework and action plan to work together in collaboration to reduce homelessness and end rough sleeping.  In response to questions Officers confirmed that a summary would be provided to Cabinet members detailing the various specific projects identified for additional funding.  It was also confirmed that ‘pets’ would be included in the strategy and a briefing would be arranged prior to the final review.

 

Councillor Jackson proposed, seconded by Councillor Sinclair:

 

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)   That the revised Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy and action plan for the  next four years be approved and adopted.

 

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Director of Communities and the Environment

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The decision is consistent with the Council Plan and contributes to the Council’s approved priorities including a sustainable District and Happy and Healthy Communities.  The decision is also consistent with the Local plan and will contribute directly to the Homes Strategy 2020-2025, which is currently being drafted, providing access to more accommodation options in the private sector and developing Housing First and a social lettings agency in partnership with housing providers.

 

Report author: Sharon Parkinson

Publication date: 22/07/2020

Date of decision: 14/07/2020

Decided at meeting: 14/07/2020 - Cabinet

Effective from: 30/07/2020

Accompanying Documents: