Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs K Mandry.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 10 March 2020.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 10 March 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

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 at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations given at this meeting.

To consider any item of business dealt with, or due to be dealt with shortly,  by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel that falls under the remit of the Housing Portfolio.  This will include any decisions taken by the Executive Member during the same time period.

There were no comments or questions raised for clarification.

There were no comments or questions raised for clarification.

There were no comments or questions raised for clarification.

There were no comments or questions raised for clarification.

The decision sheet for this item will be tabled at the meeting.

A tabled item was received in respect of this item to provide Members with a copy of the decision notice. A copy is attached to these minutes as Appendix A.

There were no comments or questions raised for clarification.

The decision sheet for this item will be tabled at the meeting.

A tabled item was received in respect of this item to provide Members with a copy of the decision notice. A copy is attached to these minutes as Appendix B.

There were no comments or questions raised for clarification.

To receive a presentation by the Affordable Housing Strategic Lead on progress with Fareham Housing sites and other relevant strategic housing matters.

The Panel received a presentation by the Affordable Housing Strategic Lead which provided members with an update on progress with Fareham Housing sites and other relevant strategic housing matters.  A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes as Appendix C.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the presentation.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer which provides an update on the Rough Sleeping Initiative Funding 2020/21.

The Panel received a report by the deputy Chief Executive Officer which provided Members with details of the funding received following a bid to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative programme.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the report.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer which provides members with information in respect of the Covid-19 impact on Housing & Homelessness Services.

The Panel received a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer which provided members with details of how each of the Housing service areas were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and highlighted actions that have been taken to enable the continuation of essential services, respond to Government directives and ensure the safety of residents and staff.

Members asked that thanks be put on record to the Housing team for the fantastic work that has been done under such difficult circumstances.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the report.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Housing Panel.

The Chairman invited Members to consider the Scrutiny Priorities for the Housing Scrutiny Panel.

At the request of members it was agreed that an item would be brought to a future meeting of the Panel to provide an update on the 2 new posts created as a result of the funding received following a successful bid to the Rough Sleeping Initiative Fund.

Following the recent government announcement that additional funding will be made available to help with homelessness issues, it was requested and agreed that a report will be brought to the next meeting of the Panel to update Members on how any further, successful bids for funding will be utilised.

Members requested and agreed that, following a prolonged period of staff turnover, an update will be brought to the next meeting of the Panel to provide a staffing update outlining job roles and responsibilities.

At the suggestion of the Chairman it was agreed that a report be brought to a future meeting of the Panel to update members on the new, recently implemented, Housing Software. 

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel agrees that the following items be added to the Panel’s Scrutiny Priorities:

(a)  an update on the 2 new posts created as a result of the successful funding bid from the Rough Sleeping Initiative Fund.

(b)  a report to update Members on how any further successful funding bids will be utilised to tackle Homelessness

(c)  a staffing update outlining job roles and responsibilities, as a result of staff turnover; and

(d)  an update on the new, recently implemented, Housing Software implementation.