07 09 2005

The Mayor (Councillor Burgess) (ex-officio), Chairman of Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Hook) (ex-officio) (P), Councillors Allen, Carter (P), Mrs Cully (P), Davis (P), Foster (P), Gill (P), Philpott, Rigg (P), Mrs Salter (P) and Mrs Wright (P).

 

 

It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Orders, notice had been received that Councillors Hook and Langdon would replace Councillors Allen and Philpott respectively for this meeting.

 

 

 

 

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillors Allen and Philpott

 

 

 

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Board held on 15 June 2005 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

 

 

 

 

There were no deputations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board received a copy of the Housing Services Manager’s report (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘A’) seeking Board approval on the Housing Services Housing Strategy Update 2005 prior to submission to the Government Office for the South East on 30 September 2005.

 

 

The Housing Services Manager confirmed that a submission to the Government Office for the South East was required on an annual basis and failure to meet the deadline of 30 September 2005 might result in loss of grants.  The officer informed Members that a standard template was used to complete the document and it was to be kept as brief as possible.

 

 

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that photographs inside the document were to be replaced with more relevant material.  Officers confirmed that Members’ opinions would be sought relating to finding more effective ways of consulting with the public on the Housing Strategy targets for 2006/07.  Officers were to check the accuracy of some figures quoted.

 

 

Discussion followed relating to affordable homes and, although there was a wish to increase the 40% level of affordable homes on suitable sites, this authority already had one of the highest percentages in the country.  The Chief Executive explained that this should be seen as a PUSH initiative by ensuring that other partners were aligned to 40% affordable housing for new developments.

 

 

The Housing Services Manager advised that, in relation to the difficulties landlords had experienced in obtaining insurance under the Rented Accommodation in the Private Sector (RAPS), a letter had been sent advising of suitable insurance companies.  Members’ comments relating to gypsies and travellers were noted.

 

 

Members congratulated officers on the production of the draft Strategy.

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the Board approve the Housing Services Housing Strategy Update 2005 and instructs the Housing Services Manager to submit the Update to the Government Office for the South East by 30 September 2005.

 

 

 

 

The Board received a copy of the Housing Services Manager’s report (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘B’) recommending grant funding to a scheme that had not previously been grant funded through this Council’s homelessness budgets.  The scheme was to provide for a worker to undertake housing related assessments and re-housing for customers leaving the Meadows (mental health facility).  This investment in a partnership project with the voluntary sector and Social Services would make a valuable contribution to the work on homelessness prevention.

 

 

The Housing Services Manager added that the request to part fund this post was to alleviate repeat homelessness and enable support for people to successfully settle into the community.

 

 

Members were concerned that Fareham Borough Council had declined a request to provide joint funding although it was confirmed that the majority of the homelessness caseload came from Gosport.  It was thought that figures might be skewed because of the location of a night shelter in Fareham that might attract the homeless into that area.  Intervention was needed to avoid people sleeping rough in the Borough but Members expressed concern we could be funding homelessness in Fareham and that if Social Services withdrew funding the service might stop at the end of March 2006.

 

 

Members expressed a concern that if funding was not approved at this stage then the service might discontinue so they were in favour of approving the grant but it was suggested that Fareham Borough Council be approached more vigorously and to involve Hampshire County Council Social Services for a longer term solution.

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the Board :

 

 

(i)

Approve a £5,000 grant to Southern Focus Trust for the purpose of part funding this scheme, referred to in section two of this report, for the year 2005/06;

 

 

(ii)

Approve Officers meeting with Hampshire County Council Social Services and Fareham Borough Council to discuss the way forward because future funding could not be guaranteed without a partnership; and

 

 

(iii)

To refer the issue of funding to the Gosport Partnership.

 

 

 

 

The Board received a copy of the Housing Services Manager’s report (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘C’) reporting on the outcome of an internal review of the monitoring processes in respect of response times to Member enquiries.

 

 

It was noted that the 15 day response time was not acceptable and the Chairman gave assurance that this would be investigated.

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.