To receive the final report from the Homelessness Evidence Panel presented by the Chair, Councillor G Waller.

The final report from the Homelessness Evidence Panel was presented to the committee.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

·       Councillor Waller thanked members and officers for all their hard work in the production of the report as there had been a lot of information to research, collate and understand. 

·       It was confirmed that Table 1 showed the number of people who had been assessed as homeless over the period of time stated and not the actual number of homeless people in Rutland.

·       Councillor Harvey informed members that the Council’s Armed Forces Officer worked with all charities and outreach services to assist and support ex-military personnel as well as the families of current military personnel.

·       The Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care queried the wording in recommendation 6.2 and its implications regarding safeguarding as both adults and children could be classed as a victim of domestic abuse.  Councillor Waller stated that the recommendation was for an overview of domestic abuse placements e.g. Were they placed quickly? Did services stay connected with them?  If children were involved, had their education provision been sorted?  It was agreed that Councillor Waller would meet with the Portfolio Holder to re-word the recommendation for discussion/approval at the meeting of the scrutiny committee on the 9^th March 2023.

ACTION: Councillor Waller and Councillor Harvey

·       It was noted that these were purely recommendations for Cabinet and that Cabinet could refuse and/or rephrase the recommendations.

·       Consideration was then given to the remaining recommendations of the report as follows:

6.1 That the Leader of the Council designates one ‘Portfolio Holder’ to take the lead on housing and for that person to actively engage with his/her colleagues, as appropriate, on housing matters.

6.3 That RCC explores with its registered social landlords the possibility of increasing the number of homes in Rutland available for temporary accommodation.

6.4 That Cabinet, as part of the Council’s Asset Review, explores the options for developing new temporary accommodation in Rutland to house those who have been made homeless.

6.5 That RCC reconsiders the development of a ‘Choice Based Lettings Policy,’ using learning from other councils’ policies and in consultation with registered social landlords, to better meet current needs.

6.6    That the Housing Allocations Policy be reviewed so that it is transparent and easy for applicants to use, with a user-friendly ‘Customer Guide’ and that it takes into consideration aspects highlighted in this report e.g. ‘Means Testing’ and the needs of the over 60’s in the context of an increasing elderly population in Rutland and the type of accommodation they could be considered for.

6.7 That Cabinet review the contract with Peterborough City Council for the provision of services in relation to private landlords with a view to improving data collection on the private sector in Rutland.

6.8 That Cabinet review the ‘Housing Services Review—Strategy and Operations Group’ ensuring that it, or any successor group, has clear terms of reference and appropriate membership.

RESOLVED

That the Committee:

a)    ACCEPTED the report of the Homeless Evidence Panel.

b)    AGREED that recommendation 6.2 of the report would be re-worded and submitted to the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 9^th March 2023 for discussion/approval.

c)    APPROVED the remaining recommendations (6.1, 6.3,6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8)