Agenda item - Response to Scrutiny Panel on Homelessness

Extract from the proceedings of the Housing Committee meeting held on the 12^th November 2014, together with a report of the Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing and the Scrutiny Review Panel’s Report (copies attached).

51.1      Councillor Wealls introduced the report which set out the recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel on Homelessness and the response of the Housing Committee.  He stated that he wished to thank Councillors Robins and Sykes who sat on the Panel with him, all those who contributed to the review and especially the Scrutiny Officers who played a vital part in the process.  He also wished to thank Councillors Daniel, Peltzer Dunn and Mears for their contributions at the Housing Committee meeting and hoped that the agreed actions would be implanted.

51.2      Councillor Robins stated that he found the review to be very interesting and worthwhile and noted that he had experienced a period of being homeless and was fully aware of the hidden levels of homeless having also spent time sleeping on a friends sofa.

51.3      Councillor Randall thanked the members of the review panel for their report and noted that homelessness was a problem throughout the city and one that required a number of agencies to work together to address it.  He was concerned about the high level of young people who were homeless and welcomed the recent decision to provide homes at the old YMCA office in the centre of city.  He also noted that the Housing Strategy also accounted for the need to address the various health problems that were associated the homelessness.

51.4      The Mayor stated that the report was before the council for information and moved that it be noted.

51.5      RESOLVED: That the report be noted.