Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 18^th October, 2017 be received and approved as a correct record.

The Chairman reminded Members that the Panel had previously undertaken a scrutiny review in respect of the access to homelessness services and how we work with partner agencies in addressing and preventing homelessness at the earliest possible stage, including consideration of the Homelessness Reduction Act, which at the time of the review was still a Bill.  The findings and recommendations of the Panel were submitted to the Cabinet in October, 2017 for consideration.

The Cabinet consequently recognised the importance of developing effective initiatives to prevent homelessness in the District and the need to facilitate early intervention with persons at risk of homelessness and provide advice, support and guidance in order to prevent homelessness.

The Cabinet also agreed that Members of this Panel be kept informed of progress in respect of the Homelessness Reduction Act to enable the Panel to revisit the homelessness issue as part of its work programme.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Phil Warrington, the Council’s Lettings and Strategic Housing Manager, who was in attendance to update Members on the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the fundamental changes to the way in which homelessness services are accessed and delivered.

He explained that the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 becomes law in April 2018 and the key changes to existing legislation/policy were summarised as follows:-

·         The Act extends the period during which someone might qualify as threatened with homelessness from 28 days to 56 days;

·         There will be a duty to consider an applicant as threatened with homelessness if they present a valid section 21 notice;

·         Where an applicant is homeless or threatened with homelessness an assessment must be conducted and a personal housing plan agreed.  The Council must work with the applicant on the agreed actions with the aim of ensuring the applicant has, and is able to retain suitable accommodation;

·         For applicants who are threatened with homelessness, regardless of priority need, the Council will have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent their homelessness.  The prevent duty will last for 56 days;

·         For those applicants who become homeless the Council will have a duty to relieve their homelessness.  This will apply to all applicants irrespective of their priority need.  The relief duty will last for 56 days;

·         Free homelessness advice and information should be available to any person in the local authority area;

·         There will be a duty requiring all specified public authorities to notify the Council of service users they think may be homeless or at risk of homelessness;

·         There is an extension to the applicant’s right to request a review of homelessness decisions in relation to the new duties.

The Lettings and Strategic Housing Manager informed the Panel that nationally Homelessness Services had a number of gaps but through the new Act early intervention will increase the number of successful preventions and ensure that those persons at risk of homelessness are supported earlier and for longer.

Members were encouraged by the early intervention strategies piloted in Wales and its impact on homelessness figures and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Scrutiny Manager reported that at the last meeting Members had agreed the scope and terms of reference for a scrutiny review of CCTV namely, to gain an understanding of CCTV, how it contributes to the Council’s corporate priorities and what impact it may have within the community.

As part of the discussion it was suggested that a site visit be facilitated to enable Panel Members to view the new CCTV control room at the Police Headquarters, Sherwood Lodge. 

The Scrutiny Manager explained that unfortunately there had been a delay in launching the new control room due to a number of technical issues and consequently all site visits to this venue had been affected.  He assured Members that as soon as the Council receive notification arrangements will be put in place to enable the site visit to take place.

The Scrutiny Manager also informed the Panel that he was in the process of arranging a meeting with the relevant Officers from Newark and Sherwood District Council to enable Members to gain an understanding of the activities undertaken in the development of their CCTV commercialism plan. 

Furthermore, updates regarding the potential for securing mandatory provision of CCTV for various types of business/commercial premises through its licensing and planning processes would be presented to the Panel in due course.