The Lead Member for Planning and Health introduced the report that requested approval for an updated homelessness strategy, approval to formally consult on an updated housing allocations policy and the activation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

The Lead Member informed Cabinet that he was delighted to be presenting this paper as it contained so much good news.  There was the homelessness strategy which would guide the Council’s approach to the provision of homelessness and rough sleeping services in the Borough over the next five years working with partners.

There had been work and engagement with partners including voluntary organisations such as the Brett Foundation and the Windsor Homeless Project, housing providers such as Radian and Housing Solutions, health service providers and Thames Valley Police.  There would be a multi-agency approach to helping the homeless with policies to help prevent homelessness, decrease the need for temporary accommodation, improve the quality of housing provision, support for families, reduced number of rough sleepers and improved services.

The Lead Member reported that if Cabinet approved the recommendations then SWEP would be immediately implemented.  The Interim Housing Services Manager informed that by introducing SWEP tonight the Royal Borough would be ahead of other authorities in its implementation as the regulations only required it to be introduced when the temperature dropped to zero or below for three consecutive nights.  Not only was the authority introducing it early but also it would remain in place throughout the winter which was far beyond the legislation. 

The Chairman asked if any other authority had introduced SWEP and if SWEP was withdrawn when the temperature went above zero.  Cabinet were informed that the Royal Borough were the only authority that had implemented SWEP and that they would keep it in place beyond the zero temperature cut of point.  The Chairman said that this was a level of care that no other authorities were doing across the country.

The Lead Member also informed that the report also request approval to formally consult on an updated housing allocations policy which sets out how the council assesses applications for housing, prioritises each application and decides which applicant will be offered (allocated) housing.  The council would be working with a number of suppliers who they had excellent relationships with.  There would be more emphasis on support for those suffering from domestic abuse, better help for those leaving care and a policy that bed and breakfast temporary accommodation would no longer be used.

The Interim Housing Services Manager informed that with regards to care leavers the new policy would allow those placed outside the authority to access housing services if they wish to return to the Royal Borough.  During the last 6 month the use of temporary accommodation and use of bed and breakfasts had been reduced as it was felt these were not suitable for families with children.

The Chairman reiterated that this change in policy demonstrated the need to build more houses within the Royal Borough. 

Cllr McWilliams addressed Cabinet and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6