Issue - meetings

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Executive taken on 20 November 2019.

Executive                                                                                                      Page No.

Agenda

Item

2          Minutes of the Executive - 9 October 2019                                       5        

3          Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny and Select Committees        15

4          Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy                                  21

5          Council Tax Support Scheme                                                           95

6          2019/20 Mid Year Treasury Management Review                        109

7          Second Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report 2019/20 -                135

            General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

8          Second Quarter Capital Monitoring Report 2019/20 -                  149

            General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

Notice of Decisions to follow

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE

MEETING HELD ON 20 NOVEMBER 2019

The Committee considered the decisions of the following matters arising from the Executive held on 20 November 2019.

Minutes of the Executive – 20 November 2019

Noted.

Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny and Select Committees

Noted.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy

The Assistant Director (Housing & Investment) presented a revised Homelessness Strategy for 2019-2024. The strategy’s four priorities would be met through an Action Plan.  The Strategy had been revised in line with additional powers and duties introduced by Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (HRA 17) and requirements of Housing Act 1996.

The introduction of HRA 17 had seen an increase in the number of customers seeking homelessness advice and an increase in the use of bed and breakfast accommodation.  The Committee were informed that Housing & Investment officers were working with Housing Development and other Council services regarding market acquisitions and a purpose-built hostel to reduce the use of temporary accommodation.  The Council was looking at adopting the “Finland”/ (Housing First) Model of providing homes to homeless people without imposing a condition that they engage in services for addictions or mental health.  This model had been piloted in Manchester and local authorities in Hertfordshire.  

Members welcomed the Strategy and recommended that former homeless customers be supported to tackle addiction and other underlining causes of homelessness and to learn new skills or get into training, education or work.  It was reported that some customers were turning to food banks and convenience food outlets due to the lack of kitchen utensils in temporary and emergency accommodation properties. 

In response to questions, the Assistant Director informed Members that:

·         Support arrangements for the homeless will be added to the Action Plan

·         The HMAB would receive quarterly reports and an annual report on the Homelessness Action Plan

·         The Council has a duty to provide kitchen utensils in Emergency accommodation although efforts will be made to support those who do not have these items when they are in Temporary Accommodation

·         Benefits of the Homelessness Strategy included a dedicated rough-sleeper worker and an action plan for performance monitoring

·         Personalised homelessness plan was one of the requirements of HRA 17

Members sought clarification on partnership working arrangements and the spike in the number of households placed in temporary accommodation between 2014/15 and 2015/16.

Council Tax Support Scheme

The Committee received an update on the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21. The proposals had previously been discussed by the committee in a Portfolio Holder Advisory Group setting. The Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) stated that efforts were directed at the software supplier to design and introduce reliable and accurate automation of Universal Credit change notices.

2019/20 Mid-Year Treasury Management Review

The Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) updated Members on the Treasury Management activities in 2019/20 and review effectiveness of the 2019/20 Treasury Management and Investment Strategy.  The AD provided clarification on the cash balances.  Members welcomed the improved chart of cash balances. 

Second Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report 2019/20 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

The Committee received an update on the  ...  view the full decision text for item 3.