Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is asked to

declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of

Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which he might have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which he had in the business on the agenda. No additional interests were declared.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so. The deadline for registering is 5pm on Friday 14 July 2017. 

Members of the public may register to speak on an item on the agenda or an issue within the Executive Member’s remit.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast, or recorded, and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts, or if recorded, this will be uploaded to the Council’s website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officers (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 19 June 2017.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 19 June 2017.

Resolved:                     That the minutes of the Decision Session – Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods held on 19 June 2017 be approved and then signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.

This report looks at the activity governed by the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002 and the City of York Council’s Homelessness Strategy 2013-2018 in respect of the financial year 2016/17. 

Resolved:                     a) That the progress made by the service be noted;

b) That the priorities and targets for 2017/18 as set out in paragraph 17 of the report be agreed.

Reason:                        To ensure the council continues to meet its current and new statutory responsibilities (under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017) and supports the most vulnerable in society.

The Executive Member considered a report summarising the activity governed by the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002 and the City of York Council’s Homelessness Strategy 2013-18 in respect of the financial year 2016/17. The Service Manager (Housing Options and Homelessness) and the Assistant Director (Housing and Community Safety) attended the meeting to answer potential questions.

The Executive Member received a list of amendments to the report that had been introduced after 07 July 2017 due to typographical errors:

·        Point 5b: “Agree the priorities and targets for 2017/18 as set out in paragraph 17”;

·        Point 14, bullet point 2: “Statutory homelessness has increased but service achieved target in 2016/17. The figure was 91 in 2015/16. This is a 6.6% increase, national trend is 2.35%.”;

·        Point 53 in Annex 1: “The number of homeless acceptances has increased by 6.6% which is still below CYC target (100), national trends are 2.35%.”

Following on the Executive Member’s questions, it was explained that the Homeless Reduction Act (2017) extended the homelessness statutory duty to those at risk of homelessness from 28 to 56 days. However, City of York Council currently worked with residents at risk as early as 90 days beforehand. It was also confirmed that, if CYC was to be re-assessed for the Gold Standard Challenge in December 2017, it was likely that the award would be upheld.

The Executive Leader commended the Officers for delivering their work and it was

Resolved:                     a) That the progress made by the service be noted;

b) That the priorities and targets for 2017/18 as set out in paragraph 17 of the report be agreed.

Reason:                        To ensure the council continues to meet its current and new statutory responsibilities (under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017) and supports the most vulnerable in society.