PAPER B1

Committee: SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE

Date: 2 OCTOBER 2002

Title: AUDIT COMMISSION INSPECTION REPORT ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING ADVICE AND SUBSEQUENT IMPROVEMENT PLAN

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING

1. SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To give members the opportunity to formally receive the Audit Commission Inspection Report on the Council’s Homelessness and Housing Advice, and to scrutinise the subsequent Improvement Plan.

2. BACKGROUND

As part of the recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), the Audit Commission undertook an inspection of this Council’s Homelessness and Housing Advice Services. The inspection was during the week 27-31 May 2002, and their Report was published during the last week of August 2002. Both the Audit Commission and this Council issued press releases as part of the publication process.

A copy of the Audit Commission report is attached for members formal receipt. It is anticipated that Members will wish to comment on the Report, and officers will be in attendance to answer questions.

As a consequence, a working group made up of the Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing; Chair Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee; Strategic Director of Social Services and Housing; Head of Housing; Head of Social Services Policy, Performance and Resources; Senior Homeless Officer; Housing Initiatives Officer, and Head of Property Services, was formed to produce an Improvement Plan, a copy of which is attached.

This group is now meeting on a monthly basis to monitor progress in the delivery of the Improvement Plan. Again, it is anticipated that Members will wish to comment on, and ask questions about, the Improvement Plan.

3. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Most of the recommendations in the Report, and subsequent items in the Improvement Plan, relate to changes and/or improvements in procedures, performance monitoring etc, that have no immediate financial implications. Some, such as the capital cost of revising the housing office reception area (subject to estimates), and the revenue cost of appointing a homeless prevention officer (approx £25,000 p.a. with on costs), have significant financial implications.

Contact :Chris Binnie, Head of Housing, 823061

C WADDICOR

Strategic Director of

Social Services and Housing