Issue - meetings

That the No Second Night Out policy set out in appendix 2 of the Cabinet report be approved and adopted.

Decision

That the No Second Night Out policy set out in appendix 2 of the Cabinet report be approved and adopted.

Reason for Decision

For Members to consider the new No Second Night out Policy and approve if in agreement.

Corporate Objectives

Affordable Housing.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer:

The Policy will help to ensure that appropriate support and guidance is offered to those persons ‘rough sleeping’ and provides a framework for enforcement action where appropriate.

Deputy S.151 Officer

We have received confirmation that the grant will be ring-fenced in 2017/18 and 2018/19. The detailed financial implications will need to be modelled to live within the terms of the grant both within year and also for any ongoing liabilities.

Advice

Councillor Griffiths explained that this had been through the Tenant and Leaseholder Committee (TLC) and the Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC).

N Brathwaite added that it had also been through CMT. The document supported and underpinned the homelessness strategy. It strengthens the partnership approach to achieve the commitments.

Councillor Harden noted that the title pf the report was a strange one.

N Brathwaite explained that the title was government set, the policy was to set a no second night out and therefore the title was well known and the policy therefore set out the approach and links to the strategy.

Councillor Harden enquired about the recall cost to public funds.

N Brathwaite said that the recall costs were minimal as was the officer time, most of which would be signposting clients to partnership agencies.

Councillor Harden asked if the council had made contact with South Hill Centre as lots of people used their facilities.

N Brathwaite confirmed that officers attended Friday group to provide help and advice.

Councillor Marshall noted that lots of agencies and partners were involved; she asked who the lead was.

N Brathwaite said that DBC worked in partnership with DENS and the homelessness forum monitored the work.

E Brooks added that the Chief Executive of DENS now chaired the homelessness forum and held a successful meeting recently.

N Brathwaite said that by having the forum led and supported by the voluntary agency carried more weight to the new service standards developed.

Voting

None