Agenda item - Winter Night Shelter Evaluation

Report of the Executive Director for Health & Adult Care

RESOLVED:  

(i)            That the Committee noted the contents of the report which was provided for information.

(ii)          That the evaluation information be used to support the commissioning proposal to reduce the need for rough sleeping to be in place later in 2018.

(iii)         That this paper be used as background information for related papers going to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

35.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director for Health & Adult Care which updated members on the operation of the Council run night shelter for rough sleepers over the winter of 2017/18.

35.2    Councillor Bell thanked officers for the report and was pleased that the night shelter had helped people. He asked what the future provision for night shelter would be, and if other buildings apart from the Brighton Centre had been considered. The Commissioning and Performance Manager said that there was funding for the Night Shelter to continue this winter, and additional funding had been provided by Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government which would enable a hub to be opened to provide further beds. Officers had been looking for alternative venues, and had looked at all of the Council owned empty buildings, but none had been identified as being suitable.

35.3    Councillor Gibson welcomed what had been achieved, particularly the fact that seventeen people with complex needs were had been moved into accommodation and were therefore no longer on the streets, and thanked all the volunteers involved. He noted that the venue was not filled to capacity, as despite all the beds being booked some people did not turn up, as asked if it would be possible to overbook. The Commissioning and Performance Manager said that that could be considered. The Chair agreed that it was important to try to accommodate the maximum number of people, but noted that overbooking did carry its own risks.

35.4    Councillor Gibson referred to empty buildings, and asked if the Brighton General Hospital building could be used. The Commissioning and Performance Manager said that it had been considered, but the condition of the buildings wasn’t good.

35.5    Councillor Daniels thanked officers and Councillors Moonan, Gibson and Nemeth for their work in this project, and was pleased to note that 17 entrenched rough sleepers were no longer on the streets, and thought that the informal nature of that provision  was providing the right environment for people to get help.

35.6    Councillor Janio was pleased to note how the service had helped the entrenched rough sleepers in particular, and asked why it couldn’t be provided all year round. The Commissioning and Performance Manager said that the Night Shelter provided a bed for the night, but it was seasonal but the intention was that the hub would be open all year round.

35.7    RESOLVED: 

(i)            That the Committee noted the contents of the report which was provided for information.

(ii)          That the evaluation information be used to support the commissioning proposal to reduce the need for rough sleeping to be in place later in 2018.

(iii)         That this paper be used as background information for related papers going to the Health and Wellbeing Board.