Issue - meetings

The Housing Portfolio Holder APPROVED

1.    the structure set out in in Table 1 in the agenda report; and

2.    the move to regularise charges for use of the sheltered housing communal rooms by outside groups.

This decision was published on Thursday 16 February 2012. Democratic Services must be notified of any call in by 5pm on Thursday 23 February 2012. If not called in, the decision may be implemented on Friday 24 February 2012.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved

1.    the structure set out in in Table 1 in the agenda report; and

2.    the move to regularise charges for use of the sheltered housing communal rooms by outside groups.

The Housing Portfolio Holder considered a report seeking his authority for a restructuring of the sheltered housing service.

The Corporate Manager (Affordable Homes) expressed his appreciation for the contribution made by members of the Task and Finish Group set up to consider the sheltered housing scheme.  The Portfolio Holder asked that consideration be given towards the end of 2012 as to whether or not that Group should be reconvened from February 2013.

Those present discussed how the sheltered housing scheme would be focused in future in the light of reduced funding by Cambridgeshire County Council. 

The Portfolio Holder noted and accepted the Task and Finish Group’s recommendations.

The Housing Portfolio Holder approved

1.    the structure set out in in Table 1 in the agenda report; and

2.    the move to regularise charges for use of the sheltered housing communal rooms by outside groups.

Cabinet is requested to

(a)          acknowledge the report to the Scrutiny & Overview Committee on 6 February 2012 regarding Sheltered Housing Support. The report and the County Council’s response can be accessed via the following link:

www.scambs.gov.uk/meetings and browse to Scrutiny and Overview Committee 6 February 2012, then scroll down to Item 6 and its Appendix.

(b)          note that on 18 February 2012, the Housing Portfolio Holder will consider a report on the proposed structure for Sheltered Housing.

Cabinet is requested to

(a)          acknowledge the report to the Scrutiny & Overview Committee on 6 February 2012 regarding Sheltered Housing Support. The report and the County Council’s response can be accessed via the following link:

www.scambs.gov.uk/meetings and browse to Scrutiny and Overview Committee 6 February 2012, then scroll down to Item 6 and its Appendix.

(b)          note that on 18 February 2012, the Housing Portfolio Holder will consider a report on the proposed structure for Sheltered Housing.

Councillor Nigel Cathcart, Chairman of the Sheltered Housing Review Task and Finish Group, presented to Cabinet the Group’s report and thanked the members of the Task and Finish Group and the officers who had supported them.  Councillor Cathcart highlighted residents’ concerns about the reduction in funding from the County Council and the potential impact on the quality of service provided in sheltered housing schemes, and urged Cabinet to protect and preserve the sheltered housing service where possible. It was noted that the County Council had accepted many of the Task and Finish Group’s recommendations.

Cabinet ACKNOWLEDGED the report to the 6 February 2012 Scrutiny & Overview Committee and NOTED that on 15 February 2012, the Housing Portfolio Holder would consider a report on the proposed structure for Sheltered Housing.

Councillor Nigel Cathcart presented this report as the Chairman of the task and finish group. He explained that the group’s main hope was that the Council would be able to continue to provide the same level of service, particularly to residents who appeared to be the most threatened by the imminent cuts.

The Chairman reminded the Committee that it was scrutinising the report and not the sheltered housing service.

Funding

Councillor Ray Manning explained that the Government had reduced its funding to the County Council, who had in turn reduced its funding to this authority and this was why there had been limited consultation on this matter. It was stated that the lack of communication from the County Council had led to a lack of clarity on this issue. The Chairman pointed out that the funding level had in fact been influenced by the removal of ring-fencing, allowing the County Council to re-allocate funding.

The Corporate Manager for Affordable Housing explained that Supported Housing was funded out of the General Fund and not the Housing Revenue Account. He concluded that the Council had to make the most out of the resources it had.

Village warden schemes

In response to questioning Councillor Manning stated that the village warden schemes came under his Portfolio and that there were no plans to reduce its funding.

The Committee agreed to support the recommendations in the report and to monitor the Executive’s discussions on the report and the Housing Portfolio Holder’s response later this month.