PAPER F
SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE – 19 FEBRUARY
2004
REVIEW OF
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
REPORT
OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND
HOUSING
REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
This report is to inform members of the
progress made in implementing the Homelessness and Housing Advice
Implementation Plan
|
ACTION REQUIRED BY SELECT COMMITTEE To make
recommendations |
BACKGROUND
Following the CPA review of Homelessness and
Advice during 2002, the Council agreed an improvement plan with the Audit
Commission as a means of delivering a programme of continuous improvement and
addressing identified weaknesses in current homelessness services.
The Plan is due to be implemented over the
three-year period 2002-5 and has been developed as a series of action points
focussed on individuals within the Corporate structure.
Members considered progress in implementing
the plan in February 2003 and agreed to subsequently review the Plan every six
months. This report sets out the
progress made since the last review in June 2003.
Homelessness remains one of the key issues
faced by the Island and it is a critical factor in addressing social exclusion
and promoting social and economic well-being amongst Island residents.
The two major drivers for reviewing
homelessness services are the CPA inspection and the requirement to cease using
bed and breakfast as a mainstream housing resource and to produce a Homelessness
Strategy that promotes prevention as a main objective. The Homelessness Strategy was adopted by
members in July 2003 and is due to be reviewed during March.
Progress in fully addressing the
requirements of the Homeless Implementation Plan remains positive and members
will be assured that no action point receives a red traffic light. The majority of points have been achieved
either partly or wholly and so receive green lights. Those points receiving an amber light are generally in the process
of implementation through a series of planned actions. However, many of the points are on-going in
their nature and can therefore not be fully completed, but will be continually
reviewed. For further clarity, action
points are now marked with DONE where fully completed. However, in some cases, the initial target
has been achieved, but may be the subject of annual reviews or periodic
development. In such cases, DONE is
accompanied by ON-GOING.
Consultation on service delivery has been
carried out as part of the development of the Homelessness Strategy. The outcome of these exercises relate
directly to action points within the Implementation Plan.
There are no direct financial implications
resulting from this report. Budgetary
implications for the homelessness service have been dealt with in the
Homelessness Strategy and Housing Service Plan.
There are no direct legal implications
The Council has already agreed to deliver
the measures contained within the Implementation Plan. The sooner these can be achieved will
demonstrate the commitment of the Council to improving the way we deal with
homelessness to become a good or excellent service.
The risks involved if the Council does not
fully implement the Improvement Plan are extensive. The implication will be that the authority’s efforts to be rated
as good or excellent through the CPA process will be severely hampered.
Members are asked to consider the report and
make appropriate recommendations.
Appendix 1
– Homelessness and Housing Advice Improvement Plan 2002.
GORDON
KENDALL
Portfolio
Holder for Social Services and Housing