Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

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Apologies were received from Councillor Lintern and Councillor Spikings.

To confirm as a correct record the notes from the previous meeting.

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The notes from the previous meeting held on 29^th February 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

There was no matters arising.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member of an item or simply observing the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposes to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

There were no members present pursuant under Standing Order 34.

There was none.

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The Senior Housing Manager gave a presentation to the Task Group on the Key Emerging Themes of Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy and Timeline.

The Senior Housing Manager advised the timeline of the strategy which included a review in March/ April 2024. He confirmed to the Task Group the strategy was schedule to go to the Environment and Community Panel and Cabinet. He added as part of the timeline, the draft strategy was completed in July 2024 and therefore was on track.

The Senior Housing Manager explained to the Task Group sessions had been held to encourage input from Council employees, Local Partners, Public Survey and Lived experience with a total of 118 individuals contributing.

The Senior Housing Manager highlighted to the Task Group the Key Strategy Aims were prevention, intervention, accommodation, recovery, and system support/service culture. He highlighted the values and behaviours included in the strategy were dignity, transparency, flexibility, collaboration, and empowerment.

Councillor Kemp sought further clarification on what happens with people who do not meet the statutory requirements, and do we commission services that will help. 

The Senior Housing Manager confirmed that support was available to anyone seeking advice and assistance with ending or preventing their homelessness and not just to those who meet statutory requirements. He provided examples such as Sustainable Housing Partnership Service (SHPS) and Housing First Service which support people who do not meet the statutory requirements.

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The Housing Data Analyst provided an update on numbers of households in temporary accommodation, number of homeless applications and number of properties advertised. He highlighted the data from last quarter and the data from this quarter last year.

Councillor Bubb sought clarification that data of homeless application and properties advertised should be homeless households instead of individuals.

The Housing Data Analyst clarified this data was each household not individuals.

Councillor Kemp commented the Night Shelter has now closed for the summer and sought clarification on where the people were now it had closed.

The Senior Housing Manager confirmed that some people from the Night Shelter have been placed into accommodation and he is awaiting impact report from the Night Shelter. He referred further to the strategy and advised it has been developed to work in partnership to ensure these people are not rough sleeping. He provided assurance to sustain a long-term housing solution.

The Chair commented that the data on number of properties advertised through Home Choice had improved from previous quarters and from the low numbers that we previously experienced. 

The Housing Services Manager added that it was positive to see an increase in social housing properties being available, supply of affordable accommodation but through existing social housing and new properties is a key factor in the Council preventing and ending homelessness. She added that they continued to work with housing provides to increase supply of social housing. .

Councillor Bubb asked Officers if when accommodation becomes available if the circumstances and reason for availability had been considered.

The Housing Services Manager confirmed not specifically as there was continuous change due to different reasons.

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The Housing Services Manager advised the Task Group, following the recent tender process, Shelter’s Housing advice services will continue. This service is funded by the Council and is commissioned for the next three years.  She also confirmed to the Task Group, Citizen Advice Norfolk is the new provider for the Money Advice and Income Maximisation Service which would also be funded for the next three years by the Council.

Councillor Kemp asked for Officers to provide contact details for the new contracts with Shelter and Citizen Advice Norfolk. She sought assurance that Citizen Advice Norfolk had the resource and capacity for this and were not under pressure.

The Housing Services Manager confirmed the contact details will be published internally and externally. She confirmed to Cllr Kemp that this was a specifically commissioned service in relation the debt advice and income maximization in West Norfolk and in addition to other services Citizen Advice Norfolk provide not commissioned by the Council. As part of the tender process the Provider’s resource to deliver the service is evidenced

The date of the next meeting is to be confirmed in due course.

The date of next meeting is to be scheduled in due course.