Agenda for Housing Cabinet Member Meeting on Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010, 4.00pm
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Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 210 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Caroline De Marco, Democratic Services Officer
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Procedural Business
(b) Exclusion of Press and Public - To consider whether, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting when any of the following items are under consideration.
NOTE: Any item appearing in Part 2 of the Agenda states in its heading either that it is confidential or the category under which the information disclosed in the report is exempt from disclosure and therefore not available to the public.
A list and description of the categories of exempt information is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls. Minutes: 81.1 In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (‘the Act’), it was considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during an item of business on the grounds that it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press or public were present during that item, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information (as defined in section 100A(3) of the Act) or exempt information (as defined in section 100I(1) of the Act).
81.2 RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 96 should there be discussion on this matter. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 January 2010 (copy attached). Minutes: 82.1 RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Housing Cabinet Member Meeting held on 14 January 2010 be agreed and signed by the Cabinet Member.
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Cabinet Member's Communications Minutes: Scott Marshall
83.1 The Cabinet Member introduced Scott Marshall, Director of Housing, Culture and Enterprise. Housing matters would now come under the remit of the new Directorate of Housing, Culture and Enterprise.
Local Delivery Vehicle
83.2 The Cabinet Member reported that there was no further news on the LDV at the present time. The Council had made an offer to the LDV and was waiting for a decision.
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Items reserved for discussion (a) Items reserved by the Cabinet Member
(b) Items reserved by the Opposition Spokesperson
(c) Items reserved by Members, with the agreement of the Cabinet Member.
NOTE: Public Questions, Written Questions from Councillors, Petitions, Deputations, Letters from Councillors and Notices of Motion will be reserved automatically. Minutes: 84.1 RESOLVED – That with the exception of the items reserved (and marked with an asterisk), the recommendations and resolutions contained therein be approved and adopted without debate.
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Petitions No petitions have been received by the date of publication. Minutes: 85.1 There were none.
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Public Questions (The closing date for receipt of public questions is 12 noon on 24 February 2010)
No public questions have been received by the date of publication. Minutes: 86.1 There were none.
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Deputations (The closing date for receipt of deputations is 12 noon on 24 February 2010)
No deputations have been received by the date of publication. Minutes: 87.1 There were none.
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Letters from Councillors No letters have been received. Minutes: 88.1 There were none.
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Written Questions from Councillors No written questions have been received. Minutes: 89.1 There were none.
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Notices of Motions No Notices of Motion have been referred. Minutes: 90.1 There were none.
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Minutes of the Adult Social Care & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2010 (copy attached). Minutes: 91.1 The Cabinet Member considered the minutes of the Adult Social Care & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on the 21 January 2010.
91.2 RESOLVED – That the minutes be noted.
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Homelessness Grant – CLG Grant Allocation 2010/11* Report of Director of Housing, Culture and Enterprise (copy attached). Decision: (1) That the allocation amongst external agencies and internal teams be approved as set out in Appendix B, which circulated in part 2 of the agenda papers.
(2) That the progress and outcomes of funded services from this grant funding in 2009/10 be noted, as set out in Appendix A of the report.
Minutes: 92.1 The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Housing, Culture & Enterprise which outlined the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) Homelessness Grant Allocation for 2010/11 and sought approval for the allocation of the grants for 2010/11 amongst external agencies and internal teams to further the work of the Council’s Homelessness Strategy. Appendix B in Part 2 of the agenda set out the funding allocation amongst external agencies and internal teams. These initiatives were put out to tender and the tendering amounts were commercially sensitive. 92.2 The Cabinet Member congratulated staff who had worked hard on the cold weather initiative. She mentioned that she had attended a meeting at St Mungo’s in London. They were looking at the links between mental health and street homelessness and were impressed with the work that was being carried out in Brighton & Hove. 92.3 Councillor Randall asked about the reduced funding for the Sanctuary Scheme. As the take up had been low, he asked whether the scheme had been highly publicised. He also asked how many people used the night shelter. The Housing Options Manager, Single Homeless and Work & Learning explained that the Sanctuary Scheme Fund was used as a last resource. In terms of advertising, officers were working with police magazines and with all victims of crime. Meanwhile, 20 people used the night shelter and 20 people were in bed and breakfast. 92.4 Councillor Randall expressed concern over the counts and queried the accuracy of the figures. The Housing Options Manager explained that the counts were carried out in accordance with guidance from central government. However, the council also carried out street audits and the government were moving towards this way of counting. Meanwhile, the council had a duty to report to the CLG in the way they required. 92.5 Councillor Randall asked for the council’s audit figures to be made available. The Housing Options Manager agreed to include these figures in an update report in June 2010. 92.6 Councillor Simpson referred to paragraph 3.8 of the report and queried why she could not find details about “working hostels” in the Part 2 Appendix. Councillor Simpson also asked about the changes to the Homeless Strategy Officer post. The Housing Options Manager explained that officers were waiting to hear if there would be lottery funding for additional posts for the “Working Hostels”. Meanwhile, the Homeless Strategy Officer role could change from year to year. 92.7 Councillor Randall asked if officers were investigating why street homeless numbers were increasing. The Housing Options Manager explained that this was partly due to an increase in migrants from central Europe. There would be a needs assessment, and a report from the Crime Reduction Initiative was expected soon. There had been initiatives in London and elsewhere to end rough sleeping and this had led to many rough sleepers moving to the city. 92.8 RESOLVED – Having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations: (1) That the allocation amongst external agencies and internal teams be approved as set out in Appendix B, which was circulated in part 2 of the agenda papers.
(2) That the progress and outcomes of funded services from this grant funding in 2009/10 be noted, as set out in Appendix A of the report.
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Keeping People with Learning Disabilities Safe - Safeguarding Report Quarters 1-3 09/10* Joint report of Director of Housing, Culture & Enterprise & Interim Director of Adult Social Care & Health (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision: (1) That the content of the Quarters 1 -3 09/10 Safeguarding Report for people with Learning Disabilities be noted.
Minutes: 93.1 The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Housing, Culture & Enterprise which outlined key issues and current and future action to ensure the council were safeguarding people with learning disabilities in the city.
93.2 The Manager, Integrated Learning Disability explained that there would be quarterly reports in future. She reported that the Care Quality Commission would be carrying out an inspection this year and would be looking at safeguarding. There had been a significant increase in reporting year on year. However, it should be noted that there had been an increase in the number of alerts where no investigation was required. Officers were monitoring the impact of the personalisation agenda on alerts.
93.3 Councillor Simpson was pleased to hear that fewer safeguarding alerts needed action. She asked who instigated the initial alerts. The Manager, Integrated Learning Disability explained that they could be self alerts; however the majority were from care providers.
93.4 Councillor Randall asked how officers were being more vigilant about personalisation. The Manager, Integrated Learning Disability explained when there were alerts, officers would know if the client concerned was receiving an individual budget. The council also had a Risk Enablement Panel.
93.5 Councillor Randall asked if officers were able to act quickly if there were serious cases of abuse. He was informed that safeguarding took top priority and cases of abuse were dealt with quickly. 93.6 RESOLVED – Having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendation: (1) That the content of the Quarters 1 -3 09/10 Safeguarding Report for people with Learning Disabilities be noted.
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Housing Management Customer Access Review
Report of Director of Housing, Culture & Enterprise (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision:
(1) That the customer access review work to date be noted, and the next steps be agreed.
(2) That the "Broad Principles" detailed in points 3.6 to 3.27 be approved.
Minutes: 94.1 The Cabinet Member considered an update report of the Director of Housing, Culture & Enterprise on the review of customer arrangements for the Housing Management Service and presented ‘broad principles’ for taking the work forward. The report had been submitted to the HMCC on 8 February 2010. 94.2 RESOLVED – Having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations: (1) That the customer access review work to date be noted, and the next steps be agreed.
(2) That the "Broad Principles" detailed in points 3.6 to 3.27 be approved.
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Independent & Voluntary Sector Learning Disability Services Fees Report 2010/11 Report of Acting Director of Adult Social Care & Health (copy attached). Decision: (1) That approval is given to maintain the 2009/10 fee rates for independent and voluntary sector learning disability services in 2010/11.
(2) That an exception is made to 2.1 in the report and approval is given to Southdown Housing Association receiving 1% uplift in 2010/11 for its learning disability block contract for residential/supported accommodation services.
Minutes: 95.1 The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Housing, Culture & Enterprise which was presented within the context of the current annual round of fee discussions with those independent and voluntary sector providers who were supplying care services on behalf of Brighton & Hove Council. 95.2 RESOLVED – Having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations: (1) That approval is given to maintain the 2009/10 fee rates for independent and voluntary sector learning disability services in 2010/11.
(2) That an exception is made to 2.1 in the report and approval is given to Southdown Housing Association receiving 1% uplift in 2010/11 for its learning disability block contract for residential/supported accommodation services.
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Appendix B - Homelessness Grant - CLG Grant Allocation 2010/11 Report of Director of Housing, Culture & Enterprise (circulated to Members only). Minutes: 96.1 The Cabinet Member noted the Appendix B to the Homelessness Grant Allocation 2010/11 report (see Item 92). It had been agreed that it was not necessary to discuss this matter in part 2 of the meeting. |