Agenda item - Housing Related Support Commissioning Update

Extract from the proceedings of the Housing & New Homes Committee meeting held on the 23^rd September 2015, together with a report from the Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing (copies attached).

47.1         Councillor Meadows introduced the report which detailed the position of the Housing Related Support Budget and the intention to have greater integration of commissioning functions to provide more effective support services.  It was proposed to prioritise the rough sleepers provision and to re-tender for services on reduced budgets across all support services.

47.2         Councillor Miller welcomed the report and stated that there was a need to be creative in order to ensure services could be provided.  He acknowledged that there were challenges to be met but was disappointed in the reduction of the number of beds that would be made available for rough sleepers and suggested that what appeared to be continued salami slicing of services needed to be tackled differently to ensure services could be maintained.

47.3         Councillor Mears stated that she felt all Members needed to be aware of the situation and noted that it was only now that a report on the matter had been brought to the committee, even though supporting people had been moved to Adult Care with a £10m budget.  She believed that Members should be briefed and concerns addressed otherwise there would be a need to refer the matter to external audit.

47.4         Councillor Moonan stated that there was a need for services to be re-tendered and noted that St. Mungos were now providing a service for rough sleepers and further work would take place across various committees and with all partners to meet the challenges ahead.

47.5         Councillor Yates noted that the Health & Wellbeing Board had responsibility for Adult Social Care and noted that he had signed the St. Mungo’s Charter earlier in the meeting.  There was a need to work with services and partner agencies across the city to address the issues being faced such as rough sleeping and homelessness.

47.6         Councillor Meadows noted the comments and stated that it was hoped to be able to provide holistic services in the future and that work would continue to find ways to meet the needs of those faced with being homeless etc.

47.7         The Mayor stated that the report had been referred for information and therefore moved that it be noted.

47.8         RESOLVED: That the report be noted.