Agenda item

Report CSD18142

This report was previously scrutinised by the Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee on 5^th September 2018.  At that meeting, Members recommended the Executive delay its decision to allow for scrutiny by the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee on 18^th September.

In this regard, Members of the RR&H PDS Committee considered Bromley’s formal contract for the procurement and management of private sector leased properties and the management of Council owned temporary accommodation (TA) which formed an important part of the Council’s temporary accommodation portfolio. 

As the contract was due to expire on 31 March 2019, permission was sought for a two year extension, as provided for within the contract itself.

The Executive Director, ECHS provided an overview of the key aspects to be considered by the RR&H PDS Committee, namely:-

·  Homelessness Strategy updates;

·  Housing Strategy updates including contractual commissioning issues, renewal and KPIs;

·  updates on the implementation of new housing; and

·  interaction with libraries concerning children in care, care leavers, disabled children and their families and older people.

He requested permission to give a presentation at a future meeting to highlight the work undertaken in regard to housing and to take Members through the Departmental and Portfolio Plan.  The Chairman agreed to the request.

The Director of Housing advised Members that Bromley’s Housing Strategy was currently in the process of being developed.  It was anticipated to be completed by the end of the year.

Referring to recommendation 2.3 on page 67 of the report, it was reported that Orchard and Shipman were contracted to find private landlords and to lease and manage properties on behalf of the Council.  Rent was paid by the Council to landlords via Orchard and Shipman.  The £1m paid to Orchard and Shipman for the management service was considered to be a very competitive fee.

Mears property purchased scheme now had 365 properties in the pipeline of which 143 were completed and let.  By the end of the financial year, approximately 400 units should be available.  At the present time, officers were assessing the viability of providing a further 300 units.  If this was deemed viable, a report would be submitted for scrutiny by the RR&H PDS Committee.

Of the total number of people currently living in TA, 79% were family groups (primarily single parents aged 20-45 with children).  The remaining 21% were single people.

At a time when demand for TA had increased, Members were concerned with the decrease in available property.  They were informed that due to the high risks involved with the introduction of benefit capping, housing associations had withdrawn properties and moved on to private renting.  The reasons for the increase in demand were attributed to relationship breakdowns, eviction by family and friends or the inability to rent privately.

The Executive Director, ECHS, emphasised the urgent need to increase the supply of TA.  Until this was achieved, the Council would be unable to meet its targets.

The Chairman expressed his dissatisfaction that the report had not been scrutinised by the PDS Committee prior to a decision being made.  He advised that the decision taken by the Executive was subject to call-in by Members.  The Executive Director, ECHS, confirmed that future reports would be scheduled on the Forward Plan to meet the timetable for RR&H PDS meetings.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.