O&S.4/20
The Panel was presented with the most
recently published Executive Forward Plan.
In
response to a request for an update on the ‘Formation of a
Wholly Owned Company’ proposal, officers advised that legal
advice had been sought on the most appropriate means of structuring
such a Company and it was agreed that a more detailed update would
be presented to the Panel meeting to be held on 8 October
2020.
(a)
Homelessness
Strategy Action Plan
The Panel considered a report
that sought to recommend to the Executive that the Homelessness
Strategy Action Plan for 2020-21 be adopted.
In the ensuing debate,
particular reference was made to:-
(i)
the Young Devon project begin
particularly well received in local schools;
(ii)
the work of lead
officers. A number of Members in
attendance paid tribute to the excellent work undertaken by those
lead officers working on the homelessness prevention
agenda. As a consequence, an additional
recommendation (as below) was PROPOSED and
SECONDED and, when put to the vote, was declared
CARRIED:
‘That the
Panel thank the Housing Team for the production of an excellent
report and for all of their hard work.’
(iii)
the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic. When questioned, officers
confirmed that, whilst the service had not seen a significant spike
in instances of Domestic Violence, it was already becoming apparent
that the impacts on both mental health and financial hardship were
proving to be very significant;
(iv)
the Action Plan providing focus
towards moving rough sleepers into temporary
accommodation. Officers proceeded to
assure the Committee that they monitored the rough sleeper
situation particularly closely;
(v)
widespread support being
expressed for the adoption of the Action Plan.
It was then:
RESOLVED
1.
That, with effect from 1 April
2020, the Executive be RECOMMENDED to adopt the
Homelessness Strategy Action Plan 2020/21 (as attached at Appendix
3 of the presented agenda report); and
2.
That the Panel thank the Housing
Team for the production of an excellent report and for all of their
hard work.