Communities, Housing and Environment Committee |
20 March 2018 |
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Is the final decision on the recommendations in this report to be made at this meeting? |
Yes |
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Temporary Accommodation Strategy Review |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Communities, Housing and Environment Committee |
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Lead Head of Service |
John Littlemore, Head of Housing and Community Services |
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Lead Officer and Report Author |
John Littlemore, Head of Housing and Community Services |
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Wards affected |
All |
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Reason for urgency
The Council is in a position to close negotiations on the acquisition of temporary accommodation and any delay in agreeing the recommendation may result in the loss of opportunity to purchase the additional units.
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This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee: |
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1. That the Communities, Housing & Environment Committee gives delegated authority to the Director of Finance and Business Improvement to determine the number, size and type of temporary accommodation to be acquired in accordance with the decision made the Communities, Housing & Environment Committee on 12 December 2017, within the previously agreed budget of £4.5m. |
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This report relates to the following corporate priorities: |
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· Keeping Maidstone Borough an attractive place for all · Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough |
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Timetable |
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Meeting |
Date |
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Corporate Leadership Team |
21 November 2017 |
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Communities, Housing & Environment Committee |
12 December 2017 |
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Temporary Accommodation Strategy Review |
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1. PURPOSE OF REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 The
Communities, Housing & Environment Committee agreed at its meeting on 12
December 2017 to purchase an additional 15 units of
temporary accommodation at a maximum cost of £4.5m in order to meet an increase
in demand from homeless households and to continue the positive impact of the
Temporary Accommodation Strategy.
1.2 At the time of the report being drafted it set out the number and type of additional units to be purchased. The recommendation included a specific number of one and two bedroom property. However, the needs of the Council have altered in terms of the size and type of accommodation. This report seeks to amend the original recommendation to allow flexibility in the type and size of accommodation to be purchased whilst remaining within the original budget approved by the Committee.
1.3 The recommendation will permit the Director of Finance and Improvement to agree with officer from the Housing Service the type and size of accommodation that will provide the best use for the Council in implementing the Temporary Accommodation Strategy. It is proposed to broaden the size of accommodation originally envisaged from one and two bedroom properties, so that there is no restriction in the number of bedrooms per property acquired, as long as the overall budget is adhered to.
2. AVAILABLE OPTIONS
2.1 The Committee could choose not to follow the recommendation but to do so would not enable the Council to fully realise the benefit that could be obtained by purchasing a broader range of temporary accommodation.
2.2 Approve the recommendation to give delegated authority to the Director of Finance and Business Improvement to determine the number, size and type of temporary accommodation to be acquired in accordance with the decision made the Communities, Housing & Environment Committee and to remain within the budget approved in the report dated 12 December 2017.
3. PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 The preferred option is within paragraph 2.2, as this will allow the Council to make best use of the funds previously agreed to purchase additional temporary accommodation.
4. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
Impact on Corporate Priorities |
Preventing homelessness is a key priority of the Housing Strategy. ‘A home for everyone’ is a priority within the strategic plan |
John Littlemore (Head of Housing and Community Services) |
Risk Management |
The budgetary pressures the Council faces must be balanced with the statutory homelessness duties that the Council must provide |
John Littlemore (Head of Housing and Community Services) |
Financial |
The budget is to remain within the agreed amount referred to in the report of 12 December 2017. A reduction in the cost of providing temporary accommodation will provide ongoing savings
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Section 151 Officer & Finance Team |
Staffing |
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Legal |
Involvement will be sought from MKLS throughout, where needed. |
Sarah Swain, Team Leader (Contracts and Commissioning) Mid Kent Legal Services |
Equality Impact Needs Assessment |
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Environmental/Sustainable Development |
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Community Safety |
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Human Rights Act |
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Procurement |
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Asset Management |
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5. REPORT APPENDICES
None
6. BACKGROUND PAPERS
Temporary Accommodation Strategy Review Report - December 2017