Decision details

To proceed with a project to provide a new service for rough sleepers and single homeless household.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Leytham & Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Health & Housing which provided an update on progress with the Homelessness Change Programme and outlined the options to deliver the new hostel for rough sleepers and single homeless households.  The report was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act 1972.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the exempt report.

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That option 1, as set out in the exempt report, be approved but in the event of Option 1 not being deliverable, Option 2 be approved.

(2)        That the Head of Resources, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property Services, be given delegated authority to negotiate the terms and conditions of the removal of the restrictive covenant, and implement accordingly.

(3)        That the land referred to in the exempt report be transferred using specific powers in accordance with the 2010 General Consents under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 1988, as set out in the exempt report.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Health & Housing

Head of Resources

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Corporate Plan 2012 - 2015 which seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people, reduce the number of homeless people in the district and reduce the number of people sleeping rough in the district, increase the number of affordable homes and manage the impact of welfare reforms and fits with the following strategies/policies:

§         Lancaster District Homelessness Strategy 2008 – 2013 aims to reduce the number of vulnerable groups becoming homeless including young people, those affected by domestic violence and offenders/rough sleepers.

§         ““No Second Night Out” – Government initiative to end rough sleeping nationally, leading to a Lancashire NSNO strategy and policy, and local policy and protocols.

§         Supporting People Commissioning Plans 2010/2011.  The proposed scheme will meet the needs of the intended client group that were identified and consulted upon by each district/locality within Lancashire which highlighted a need for supported accommodation for single homeless households over 25.

§         The Core Strategy 2008 – to provide 60 units of affordable housing annually.

§         The Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan 2012-2017 – sets out the need for the Council to support Registered Providers to deliver affordable housing on its own land.