Agenda item

Councillor Wood-Ford gave a short presentation which summarised the Homelessness Short, Sharp Review’s final report and recommendations.  Members were advised that Recommendation 1 had already been agreed, recommendation 3 was for the Committee to agree and Recommendations 2, 4 and 5 were to report to the Executive Committee for its consideration.

Following receipt of the presentation Members discussed a number of areas in detail, including:

·         The Housing First Schemes – concerns were raised as to where the funding would come from for such a scheme and how it would help.  It was explained that it would be particularly helpful for single males over the age of 40, as it had been highlighted that support was lacking for this group of people, with currently the main offer being within hostels and outside of the Borough.  The Deputy Chief Executive suggested that funding would be sought at a national level through the West Midlands Combined Authority and it would be through this process that a scheme would be developed.

·         Members of the review commented that they had been pleasantly surprised at the amount of support which was available within the Borough.  However there was also a group of people for whom help was available but who chose not to accept it.

·         Swanswell – details around this organisation were provided in respect of their substance abuse programmes and the group had been disappointed that they had been unable to arrange an interview with them.  Their work was of such importance that the group felt it would be most useful for the Committee to invite them to attend a future meeting.

In summing up, Councillor Wood-Ford highlighted how impressed the group had been with the work of the Food Bank and the support it provided, which covered a number of other areas.  Thanks were given to the group for their detailed short sharp review and it was noted, for future reference, that holding such a review over the summer period had not been ideal due to holiday commitments.  Councillor Wood-Ford also took the opportunity to thank the Democratic Services Officer for her hard work over a very short period of time.

Following discussions it was also requested that the MP be asked to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt. Hon. David Gauke, MP. 

RESOLVED that

Swanswell be invited to attend a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to deliver a presentation outlining the services they provide to residents in Redditch.

RECOMMENDED that

1)        Redditch Borough Council should take part in any opportunity to deliver Housing First in properties in the Borough.  This should include applying to participate in any Housing first pilot schemes operated by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA);

2)        the Leader of the Council should write to the Secretary of State for Work and pensions, the Rt. Hon. David Gauke MP, urging him to end the freeze on Local housing Allowance (LHA) rates; and

3)        the Council’s Communications and Arts and Events teams should notify the CAB of any forthcoming events in Redditch which they could attend to promote their services and heighten awareness of their services in the Borough.

The Committee NOTED that

the draft Redditch Borough Council Housing Allocations Policy has been adopted by the Council.