Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services

Presented by the Housing Portfolio Holder

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised Members that the strategy had last been reviewed in 2013 and since then a number of changes had taken place that required a review and in 2018, the Government required that all local authorities updated their strategies to include rough sleepers. He informed Members that the district had few rough sleepers but the Council should continue its prevention work to avoid people becoming homeless and this was the purpose of the strategy. He advised that the Council had a property that was available when required for temporary accommodation that was fully equipped.

Councillor R Blunt expressed concern that there should be homelessness in a first world country and this reflected badly, but was pleased that the Authority could say that it was doing its bit.

Councillor N J Rushton stated that once someone was homeless it was difficult to turn that around. He felt that is was a good policy and the Council should be proud of the work being done.

It was moved by Councillor R D Bayliss, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.      The Homeless Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy be approved.

2.      Authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Property in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to update the strategy as required to address significant legislative or other changes.

3.      The indicative action plan for year one subject to any minor alterations required to ensure deliverability be approved.

4.      Authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Property in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to approve the annual strategy action plan.

Reason for decision: The Council has a statutory duty to produce a Homelessness Review and Strategy every five years. Recent guidance has extended this to include rough sleepers.