Agenda item

Up to thirty minutes will be made available for questions from members of the public on issues relating to the work of the Cabinet and to receive any petitions.

Question from Laura Hyde, Resolve:

“My name is Laura Hyde and I am the CEO of Resolve, a local charity that manages the Restart programme aimed at combatting homelessness and rough sleeping.

Currently Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has a Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy for 2019–2024. As part of this strategy the Council works with charities and stakeholders to combat homelessness and rough sleeping. This has included working with Resolve to help fund Restart's outreach work and ongoing support. 

The Restart outreach team work 365 days a year with people who are rough sleeping on the streets in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield. This work helps some of the most vulnerable in society turn their lives around, become productive members of our community and stops the cycle of homelessness. Something the Council has promoted and celebrated.

Recent communication with Officers has indicated uncertainty whether the Council is committed to combatting rough sleeping and requests for a meeting to discuss the strategy and options which are unclear. 

With growing numbers of rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness, can the Leader of the Council explain it’s strategy for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping? Can the Leader of the Council also specifically provide assurances as to the Council's commitment to combatting rough sleeping, working with stakeholders and assisting with the funding of the outreach teams?”

Answer from the Executive Member (Housing):

“Thank you for your question Laura, and thank you for the Result Team for coming out tonight. I know how passionate you are and it’s a reflection of how much you care.

First of all, I would like to thank Resolve for all their hard work in helping us tackle rough sleeping in the borough through the Restart Programme. You are an important partner to us and we do value the good relationship we have managed to build throughout the years.

The Council is committed to combatting rough sleeping and homelessness and has utilised both Council resources and homelessness funding to support this area of work.  Unfortunately, we are currently waiting for confirmation of our homelessness funding from central government for 2025/26 and this will not be known until much closer to Christmas.  If our funding remains broadly in line with the current year, I could not see any reason why our support to Resolve would change.  If, however, our funding is reduced or removed, then we need to review the position.  I know our Chief Executive is planning to meet with you next month to discuss the position further, once our grant position is confirmed.

With regards to the rough sleeper strategy, work is already under way to prepare for a new one.  We will be taking this to our Cabinet Housing Panel in early 2025, and will be consulting with our stakeholders, partners (including Resolve), and the public shortly after that to ensure that the strategy meets the needs of our most vulnerable residents, it will also help inform how we will work with partners to deliver our service going forward.”