Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and appendix and make the following resolutions as set out below:

1.     That Cabinet approves the ‘Temporary Accommodation Out of Area Placement Policy’ set out in the Appendix to this report.

2.     That Cabinet delegates authority for the Divisional Manager of Housing, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to make minor amendments to the policy.

RESOLVED

1.     That Cabinet approves the ‘Temporary Accommodation Out of Area Placement Policy’ set out in the Appendix to this report.

2.     That Cabinet delegates authority for the Divisional Manager of Housing, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to make minor amendments to the policy.

Mrs Graves introduced the item. She explained that the council has a statutory duty to provide temporary accommodation to residents in certain circumstances whilst their housing need is assessed. There are occasions when temporary accommodation owned by the council is full and it is therefore necessary to house people in bed and breakfast accommodation. In those circumstances officers try to accommodate households as close to their previous home as possible (if that is appropriate to the case) but on occasion it is necessary to house people outside of the district. Following a court case councils are now required to produce a policy for placement of people out of area. Mrs Graves drew attention to the proposed policy which is attached as an appendix to the report.

Mrs Taylor requested figures relating to how often the council has to place households out of the district and which other local authorities are used. Mrs Grele confirmed that there are currently 19 households in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation. Three of those households have been placed within the district and two households have children. Of the remaining households they are either singles or pregnant women. She explained that the council aims to move households in bed and breakfast accommodation to Westward House as soon as units become available. Priority is given to those with children and pregnant women at present. Mrs Grele confirmed that the council uses bed and breakfast providers in Arun, Hampshire, Portsmouth and further afield if it is for reasons of safety.. Where accommodation is out of the area the council will aim to return the household to the area as soon as practically possible.

Mrs Lintill asked how long people stay at Westward House. Mrs Grele confirmed it can be several months and has on occasion been up to two years.

Mrs Graves requested confirmation of what happens to children who need to attend school within the district but have been placed outside of the district. Mrs Grele explained that there is a legal maximum of six weeks that a family or pregnant woman can be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation out of the district.

Mrs Grange added that as well as increasing the temporary accommodation offer the council is reviewing its allocations policy to consider ways to address the turnover rate at Westward House.

Decision

The Cabinet then voted unanimously to make the resolutions below.

RESOLVED

1.    That Cabinet approves the ‘Temporary Accommodation Out of Area Placement Policy’ set out in the Appendix to this report.

2.    That Cabinet delegates authority for the Divisional Manager of Housing, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to make minor amendments to the policy.