Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Mrs Trott.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 17 January 2013.

It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel held on 17 January 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman announced that this meeting would be the last meeting attended by the Housing Strategy Manager, Malcolm Stevens as he is retiring from the Council after 34 of service. On behalf of the Panel she expressed her thanks for all of his help over the years.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

At the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor Bayford addressed the Panel to provide an update on the local health meetings he had attended recently.

The first meeting was Fareham and Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group (F&GCCG) Strategy Group, where they reported on a new scheme for cognitive behaviour therapy, (CBT), which had been started up locally. There was also a presentation on Continuing Care, which is a service that is being provided for those with learning disabilities or mental health issues.

The second meeting was the F&GCCG Board Meeting (which was open to the public), where a presentation was given on the Francis report, following the public inquiry into the severe failings in emergency care provided by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust issues. The presentation looked at the implications for the F&GCCG and centred on three key issues:

Basic Nursing Care

Basic Cleaning Care

Basic consideration of the patient.

Members of the public were invited to complete questionnaires after the meeting asking for feedback on local health care services.

To consider a report by the Director of Community, which invites the Panel to assess the overall progress of the Work Programme for the current year and finalise a draft work programme for 2013/14.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which invited the Panel to assess the overall progress of the Work Programme for the Current year and finalise a draft work programme for 2013/14.

At the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor Bayford addressed the Panel on this item, to explain that the work programme had been created by himself and the Director of Community, to ensure that the work programme would result in a review of all the key housing policies in the coming year, providing an opportunity for the Panel to review and inform policy development.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)  the outcomes of the Panel’s work programme for 2012/13 be noted;

(b)  the proposed work programme for 2013/14 as shown in Appendix A attached to these minutes be approved;

(c)  the proposed work programme for 2013/14, as updated, be submitted to the Council for endorsement.

To consider a report by the Director of Community on the changes to benefit entitlement introduced by the Welfare Reform Act are expected to result in an increase in the number of households seeking assistance from the Council’s Housing Options Team.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which highlighted the changes to benefit system introduced by the Welfare Reform Act which are expected to result in an increase in the number of households seeking housing assistance from the Council’s Housing Options Team and an increased demand for temporary accommodation.

The Director of Community explained to the Panel how the Strategic Housing Division has recently been through a restructure and that a new team has been developed, along with the addition of two new posts, in order to be able to manage the predicted increase in demand on the Strategic Housing Department with the forthcoming changes to benefits.

RESOLVED that the Panel notes the proposal to conduct a review of all temporary accommodation and will expect a full report setting out the findings and proposals from the review in Sept 2013.

To receive a presentation from the Head of Strategic Housing outlining the policy, procedure and services available to single homeless people.

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Strategic Housing outlining the policy, procedure and services available to single homeless people.

The presentation looked at a variety of things including:

·       Rough Sleep counts – How these figures have changed over the years, and the results of the Council’s recent rough sleeper count.

·       No Second Night Out Scheme – A Government Initiative originally targeted in London which has now been rolled out to the rest of the Country.

·       DCLG Homelessness Grant (£377,000) – awarded to a consortium of South Hampshire Authorities, and proposals for using this money across the area to tackle homelessness is being explored.

·       Severe Weather Emergency Protocol – The Council’s emergency plan for helping homeless people in cold weather.

·       101 Gosport Road – the local direct access hostel offering accommodation and support for homeless people (operated by Two Saints Housing Association). The hostel has recently been extended to provide two additional bedrooms and 5 emergency beds.

It was AGREED that the Head of Strategic Housing be thanked for his presentation.

To consider a report by the Director of Community about proposed changes to the qualifying criteria in regard to incentive payments offered to tenants who are under-occupying their home.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community about proposed changes to the qualifying criteria in regard to incentive payments offered to tenants who are under-occupying their home.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Bayford addressed the Panel on this item.

RESOLVED that the Panel recommends that the Executive approve the proposed changes to the Transfer Grant Scheme, and agrees to make a contribution of up to £500 toward removal expenses for working age tenants.

To consider a report by the Director of Community proposing the setting up of a Member & Officer Working Group to review and update the Tenancy Agreement for Council Housing.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community proposing the setting up of a Member & Officer Working Group to review and update the Tenancy Agreement for Council Housing.

It was explained to the Panel that the proposed revisions to the tenancy agreement will be reported to a future meeting of the Panel and the Housing Tenancy Board before they are sent out to tenants for consultation. The Chairman invited members of the Panel to nominate themselves if they wished to participate in the Member and Officer Working Group. Councillor Davies expressed an interest in having a member of the Housing Tenancy Board to take one of the two Member places as the Housing Tenancy Board was very much involved with tenant’s interests. Councillor Mrs Trott was nominated as she sits on both the Health and Housing Panel and the Housing Tenancy Board.

RESOLVED that:

(a)  the content of the report is noted; and

(b)  the Panel has nominated Councillors Mrs M Ellerton and Mrs K K Trott to join the Member & Officer Working Group.

To consider a report by the Director of Community setting out the Council’s plan and progress in promoting investment in home energy conservation measures.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which sets out the Council’s plan and progress in promoting investment in home energy conservation measures.

RESOLVED that the content of the report be noted and approved for publication.