Issue - items at meetings - Winter Shelter Provision
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Winter Shelter Provision
Meeting: 11/03/2020 - Housing Committee (Item 67)
67 Winter Shelter Provision 
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Report of Executive Director of Health & Adult Social Care
Additional documents:
Decision:
Resolved: The Committee noted the report.
Minutes:
67.1 The Committee considered the report presented by Jenny Knight (Commissioning & Performance Manager).
67.2 The report examined the financial and resource implications for expanding winter shelter provision for rough sleepers and single homeless people.
67.3 Councillor Mary Mears spoke on behalf of Councillor Dee Simson and was informed the anti-social behaviour issues of rough sleepers and homeless people gathering in Bartholomew Square prior to the opening of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) centre at Brighton Town Hall were being looked into. Arriving before the 7pm opening time has been strongly discouraged. A clear message was being sent out. The Councillor was informed that there were no reports of people being turned away and any overspill are sent to other venues in supported accommodation. It was noted that the cleaning team have increased the number of members to ensure the room is cleaned in time of meetings. Next year another building will be looked into being used. It was noted that demand was exceptional at the moment.
67.4 Martin Reid informed the committee that any decision on a new venue will come back to the committee.
67.5 Councillor Amy Heley was informed that the emergency shelter had an average of 35 persons per night with the overspill locations being used most nights for around 16 persons.
67.6 Councillor David Gibson was informed by Martin Reid that the action plan to be presented at the April committee meeting will include information on provision for rough sleepers and homeless after the end of March.
67.7 Councillor David Gibson was also informed that the action plan will include costs of SWEP and these will be circulated to Members to show the overall picture. Many of the rough sleepers have no connection to the city with up to 51% coming from around the UK.
67.8 Resolved: The Committee noted the report.