Cabinet considered the Cabinet report regarding the approval for a refreshed action plan for the homelessness strategy and changing the name of the strategy to Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy.

The Housing, Communications and Youth Engagement informed Cabinet that the authority had gained international condemnation due to homelessness particular in Windsor.  This challenge was overcome and a new strategy was being implemented. The report showed areas of success and what else was planned.  The action plan was due to be refreshed and will be refreshed on an annual basis if required.  The change in name was to ensure clarity that the policy was to help those who were homeless or facing homelessness. Consultation events had been held with our partner agencies and members.  Comments received had been included with the report.  An updated equality assessment had also been included.  The failures of two years ago had been addressed.  A new scorecard had been introduced and further work would be undertaken with our partner organisations. 

The Head of Housing and Environmental Health reiterated what had been said about changing the name to widen the scope of the policy and work already being undertaken.  New actions to be delivered had been included.

The Leader said that we had come a long way from two years ago another strong piece of work setting aside legacy issues.

Deputy Chairman of Cabinet, Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health reported that this was a crucial and important subject area.  It was important to continuously update the strategy.  Prior to C-19 he had visited John West House with the Lead Member and the primary care lead.  It was excellent to get direct feedback and positive views from the establishment.  The current pandemic had provided challenges.  Homelessness could not be viewed in isolation there were other areas such as addiction and mental health that needed support and the pathways provided this. 

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Resident and Leisure Services, HR, IT, Legal, Performance Management and Windsor said she also endorsed the paper there were brilliant organisations in Windsor and she was glad to see them working with the council.  C-19 showed how well we can work together when we pulled together. 

Cllr Singh asked if the complete quality impact assessment on the slide should have been the completed equality impact assessment as raised by Cllr Baldwin and his concerns raised at O&S.  it was confirmed that the name should be changed and that the impact had been reviewed since scrutiny and the groups raised were not impacted.

Cllr Price welcomed the robust discussion at O&S on this.  She said that the cooperation with partners was critical and wanted to know if the Bret Foundation had been contacted.  More Than a Shelter wanted to know if their services were too be required so they could start planning for this winter.  NRPF category of people who could not claim benefits, she asked if this was an issue within the borough and if they were treated differently.  The Lead Member replied that he agreed that partnership working was important and that he would be contacted the Bret Foundation.  With regards to More Than a Shelter and NRPF the Head of Service replied that as part of the pathway they were supported with an initial assessment and stage one accommodation if required.  She was looking at if More than a Shelter would be required but this had been affected by C-19, numbers were coming down and the additional shelter provided by them may not be required, she would be contacting them.

Resolved unanimously that:  Cabinet notes the report and:

i) Approves the refreshed homelessness strategy action plan and the name change to Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy.