Agenda item - PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR HOUSING. PERIOD QUARTER 1 2017-18

Agenda item

PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR HOUSING. PERIOD QUARTER 1 2017-18

Report of the Executive Director (Housing and Communities) provides a summary of the strategic key performance indicators (KPIs) for quarter 1 for 2017-18, and comments about performance by exception. The KPIs are monitored monthly by Heads of Service.

 

Minutes:

Report of the Executive Director (Housing and Communities) provided a summary of the strategic Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for quarter 1 for 2017-18, and included comments about performance by exception.  The KPIs were monitored monthly by the Heads of Service.

 

In response to a question from an Independent Representative regarding KPI 29 – The Maximum Number Of Households Living In Temporary Accommodation In The Borough (where the Council have a duty) reported that no applications had been made recently.

 

A Member raised significant concerns regarding the block of flats in the Hollybush Ward which had been bought by a London Borough and was being used as temporary accommodation for their residents.  The question was put as to whether these residents, generally who were very vulnerable, were receiving the level of support they needed and whether this was provided and funded by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council?  A further question was put as to whether this Council could prevent this now and in the future as a second block of flats in the Borough was understood to have been purchased for a similar purpose?

 

Officers confirmed that there were a number of such cases in the Borough and the Council were unable to prevent other Local Authorities from purchasing properties in this area.  Residents who had been placed there by another authority were entitled to access the services available in the Borough.  These services included Children’s Centres, schools and medical provision and was funded by this Council or a number of other agencies. 

 

Officers went on to advise that there was very little, if anything, this Council was able to do to stop this from continuing or reoccurring, as legally all Local Authorities had a duty of care to its homeless and vulnerable residents.  However where another Borough places a person in Temporary Accommodation in Welwyn Hatfield they, as the originating authority, retain the homeless duty to that household.  One of the main reasons other Local Authorities, particularly the London Boroughs, placing their homeless residents in Welwyn Hatfield was due to the price of property which was lower when compared to London.  It was understood that London Boroughs were starting to look further afield in areas were property prices were significantly lower than Welwyn Hatfield.

 

A Member raised grave concerns regarding the person who was sleeping rough on the pavement on Wigmores North whose possessions had been affixed with a ‘Fly Tipping’ notice.  The notice stated that the items would be removed and destroyed on a certain date unless removed.  Surely this was not the way in which the Council dealt with the most vulnerable people in our society?

 

The Member reported that he had tried to report the matter to the Council but had been unsuccessful.  What was the best thing to do when homeless people were seen sleeping on the street?

 

The Executive Director (Housing and Communities) explained that the Housing Needs Team took every measure possible to approach and help the most vulnerable people in the Borough.  Leaflets containing contact details at the Council and other agencies were distributed to shops and businesses in the immediate vicinity.  Every effort was made to provide the right support to the homeless person as possible.

 

The Executive Director (Housing and Communities) undertook to investigate the reported incident and to advise the Panel.

 

In response to a question regarding single homeless people and those who were ‘sofa surfing’, Members were advised that, single people generally, unless considered to be vulnerable, were not eligible or able to obtain accommodation through the Council.  They did not automatically satisfy the homelessness criteria.  In order to be given priority a rough sleeper would need to be assessed.  Being street homeless in itself is not a criteria for the homeless duty to apply.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the performance report for Housing for period quarter one for 2017-18 be noted.

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