Issue - meetings

(Housing Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-028-2017/18).

(1)        That in order to assist with meeting the additional duties introduced under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, a new Post of (1 FTE) Homelessness Strategy Officer be created on a temporary contract for 2 years and 8 months from April 2018 at cost of around £134,000 (£50,300 per annum) based on Grade 9 of the Council’s Pay Structure at mid-point subject to Job Evaluation including on-costs, funded from the total amount of the Government’s Homelessness Reduction Act Grant.

In the absence of the Housing Portfolio Holder, who had tended her apologies for the meeting, the Leader of Council presented a report on the use of further funding received as part of the Flexible Homelessness Support Grant from the Government.

The Leader reminded the Cabinet that, due to the additional burdens being placed on Local Authorities under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the associated Homelessness Code of Guidance, the Government had now provided Local Authorities with financial support to help meet with the consequences of the new duties. The Council had been informed that it would be receiving approximately £134,000 in Government Grant over a three-year period.

The Leader reported that it was recommended a new post of Homelessness Strategy Officer (1 FTE) should be created on a temporary contract for 2 years and 8 months from April 2018, funded from the total amount of the Homelessness Reduction Act Grant. The duties of the post would include:

·                 responsibility for undertaking some statutory homelessness reviews subject to the capacity of the previously appointed external company;

·                 reviews on other homelessness cases;

·                 dealing with the increasing number of MP’s and Member enquiries on homelessness casework;

·                 liaising with the Customer Relationship Officer on the legal aspects of Step 1 and Step 2 Complaints and cases referred to the Ombudsman Service around homelessness;

·                 reviewing the Council’s Homelessness Strategy and monitoring its Action Plan;

·                 training the Council’s Homelessness Team on changes in legislation and policy; and

·                 managing contract arrangements with Bed & Breakfast Hotels and other organisations providing temporary accommodation to homeless applicants.

The Cabinet welcomed the proposals as it illustrated the Council was making full use of the Government grants available to it, and being proactive in providing assistance to those residents who needed help.

Decision:

(1)        That in order to assist with meeting the additional duties introduced under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, a new Post of (1 FTE) Homelessness Strategy Officer be created on a temporary contract for 2 years and 8 months from April 2018 at a cost of approximately £134,000 (£50,300 per annum) based on Grade 9 of the Council’s Pay Structure at mid-point subject to Job Evaluation including on-costs, funded from the total amount of the Government’s Homelessness Reduction Act Grant.

Reasons for Decision:

To consider the use of the Government’s Homelessness Reduction Act Grant funding which had been provided to assist the Council with meeting the new duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and the associated Homelessness Code of Guidance, which would commence in April 2018.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

To not consider the use of the Government’s Homelessness Reduction Act Grant funding, or to consider alternative options, in order to assist the Council with meeting the new duties, under the new Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 which will commence from April 2018.

(Housing Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-016-2017/18).

(1)        That the remainder of the Government’s Flexible Homelessness Support Grant be used as follows:

            (a)        an additional £80,000 in 2017/18 and £80,000 in 2018/19 for            further             rental and damage deposit guarantee loans;

            (b)        the re-introduction of the Preventing Repossession Fund with a        budget of £40,000 in 2017/18 and £65,000 in 2018/19;  

(c)        three additional single homeless applicant (or parent or couples with one child) placements at the Zinc Arts Project at a cost of around £3,000 for the remainder of 2017/18, and providing there were no concerns, a further 3 placements be made from April 2018 (making nine in total) at a cost of around £6,000 in 2018/19;

            (d)        a budget of £8,000 in 2017/18 and £8,000 in 2018/19 to provide       landlord incentive payments, in partnership with Genesis Housing      Association, of £2,000 per property, paid on the basis that the property was       available to the Council’s homeless             applicant for a minimum period of 2    years; and

            (e)        an additional budget of £8,000 in 2018/19 to enable the        appointment of an external company to provide specialist services to rough       sleepers in the District; and

(2)        That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet should any additional grant be received from the Government in order to provide financial support to help meet new duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

In the absence of the Housing Portfolio Holder, who had tended her apologies for the meeting, the Leader of Council presented a report concerning the remainder of the Flexible Homelessness Support Grant received from the Government.

The Leader reminded the Cabinet that the Council had received a new Government Flexible Homelessness Support Grant (the Grant), which was required to be ring fenced to be used on homelessness services, in the sum of £277,000 for 2017/2018 and would receive £313,000 in 2018/2019. The Cabinet had previously agreed a number of initiatives for the initial use of the Grant at its meeting held on 15 June 2017 (minute 10 refers). The Housing Portfolio Holder had held initial discussions with Officers and was now making further recommendations for the use of the remainder of the Grant. These included: reintroducing the Preventing Repossession Fund; providing additional placements at the Zinc Arts Project for homeless families; expanding the existing Housing Association Leasing Direct Scheme; and the appointment of an external company to provide specialist services to rough sleepers within the District.

The Leader reported that, furthermore, following the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 receiving Royal Assent on 27 April 2017, Officers had been informally advised that the Government was working towards a commencement date of April 2018. Under the Act, there would be considerable additional duties placed upon local authorities nationally to prevent and reduce homelessness. Due to the additional duties and the burdens being placed on authorities, the Government had announced that it would be providing further financial support to help meet with these new duties. Therefore, a further report would be submitted to the Cabinet should any additional grant be received from Government in order to provide financial support to help meet the new duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

The Cabinet felt that this was an excellent report which illustrated how the Council was proactive in dealing with the most vulnerable individuals within the Community. The proposal to place additional single child homeless family groups with the Zinc Arts Project was particularly welcomed.

Decision:

(1)        That the remainder of the Government’s Flexible Homelessness Support Grant be used as follows:

            (a)        an additional £80,000 in 2017/18 and £80,000 in 2018/19 for            further             rental and damage deposit guarantee loans;

            (b)        the re-introduction of the Preventing Repossession Fund with a        budget of £40,000 in 2017/18 and £65,000 in 2018/19;  

(c)        three additional single homeless applicant (or parent or couples with one child) placements at the Zinc Arts Project at a cost of around £3,000 for the remainder of 2017/18, and providing there were no concerns, a further 3 placements be made from April 2018 (making nine in total) at a cost of around £6,000 in 2018/19;

            (d)        a budget of £8,000 in 2017/18 and £8,000 in 2018/19 to provide       landlord incentive payments, in partnership with Genesis Housing      Association, of £2,000 per property, paid on the basis that the property was       available to the Council’s homeless             applicant for a minimum period of 2    years; and

            (e)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54