Issue - meetings

Recommendation HP 23/39 (1) of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee of 14 December 2023

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee of 14 December 2023 in respect of sustainable temporary accommodation options. Due regard had been given to the financial and value for money considerations and the legal implications set out in the external consultants (Altair) report.  It was noted that the Temporary Accommodation Portfolio Action Plan had been approved and adopted by Cabinet on 5 December 2023. 

RESOLVED:  That the Options Appraisal Report on Sustainable Temporary Accommodation Delivery by Altair, attached at Annex 1, be noted and endorsed.

Recommendation HP 23/39 (2) of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee of 14 December 2023

Consideration was given to recommendation FRP 23/29 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 14 November 2023 in respect of a Temporary Accommodation Portfolio Action Plan (attached at Annex 2).

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations and the legal implications and noted that the Action Plan had been developed to address sustainable TA provision.  The Action Plan had been informed by a consultant’s options report.

Finally, it was noted that further details in respect of temporary accommodation options would be presented to full Council in due course.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the Temporary Accommodation Portfolio Action Plan (attached at Annex 2) be approved and adopted.

(Decision Notice: D240007CAB)

Consideration was given to recommendation FRP 23/29 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 14 November 2023 in respect of a Temporary Accommodation Portfolio Action Plan (attached at Annex 2).

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations and the legal implications and noted that the Action Plan had been developed to address sustainable TA provision.  The Action Plan had been informed by a consultant’s options report.

Finally, it was noted that further details in respect of temporary accommodation options would be presented to full Council in due course.

RESOLVED:  That the Temporary Accommodation Portfolio Action Plan (attached at Annex 2) be approved and adopted.

Members’ approval is sought to endorse the report by Altair [Annex 1] and to adopt the Temporary Accommodation Portfolio Action Plan [Annex 2].

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health introduced a consultant report by Altair, who were commissioned to research and report on sustainable Temporary Accommodation (TA) delivery options for the Borough Council, as part of the Local Government Association Housing Advisers Programme, to deliver 40 sustainable temporary accommodation units.  A copy of the report was provided at Annex 1.

As informed by the options report, a Temporary Accommodation Portfolio Action Plan had been developed to work towards securing sustainable TA provision and a copy was attached at Annex 2.

Members had an in-depth discussion with regard to the various options as recommended in the consultant report, with particular reference made to modular construction of new homes, private sector leasing, partnership working with registered providers, social lettings agency and re-purposing existing stock.  It was explained that the research focused on meeting the core and ongoing needs of the Borough Council in providing sustainable TA. 

The in borough location had been acknowledged as one of the primary goals the Council was seeking to achieve in respect of sustainable TA provision, however, this needed to be balanced with considerations across a range of priorities, including suitability and feasibility of potential sites. 

Furthermore, it was noted that potential sites, once identified and assessed to be suitable for delivery, would be presented to full Council in due course for consideration by Members.

RECOMMENDED*:  That

(1)        the Options Appraisal Report on Sustainable Temporary Accommodation Delivery by Altair, attached at Annex 1, be noted and endorsed by Council; and

(2)        the Temporary Accommodation Portfolio Action Plan, attached at Annex 2, be approved and adopted.

*Recommended to Cabinet