Agenda item - Exploring the Option of a Temporary Accommodation Board

Report of Executive Director Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

1)              That the Housing & New Homes Committee note progress and endorse the newly formed action group. 

15.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing which explored the options of creating a Temporary Accommodation Board to support residents in unsupported Temporary Accommodation, following a report produced by Justlife entitled ‘Nowhere fast – the journey in and out of Unsupported Temporary Accommodation.’    The report was presented by the Head of Temporary Accommodation & Allocations. 

15.2   Councillor Mears thanked the Head of Temporary Accommodation & Allocations for the report. She had attended one of the meetings attended by senior officers; cross party members; health services and providers. It had been very helpful to see different organisations identifying the need to work more closely together.

15.3   Councillor Gibson commented that it was a welcome initiative. There was now a Temporary Accommodation Action Group that had a positive action focused agenda. He had attended the first meeting and thought it a very positive start. This was a real opportunity for the council to make very good use of the feedback from residents, input from providers, and from the agencies that were working to support residents.

15.4   Councillor Gibson proposed the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor Phillips:

          “That the recommendations are amended to insert the words as shown in bold italics:

2.1 That Housing and New Homes Committee note progress and endorse the newly formed action group.”

15.5   Councillor Moonan echoed the previous comments. It was good to see the process had started and she had high hopes for the meeting going forward. The Labour Group would be accepting the amendment.

15.6   The Chair stated that it was a very positive process and Justlife, who were taking the lead in setting up the Temporary Accommodation Action Group, were an excellent organisation who were able to support the residents in temporary accommodation.  

15.7   Members voted on the Green amendment set out in paragraph 15.4.  The amendment was unanimously agreed.

15.8       RESOLVED:-

(1)            That the Housing & New Homes Committee note progress and endorse the newly formed action group.