Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Chadderton.

Councillor Chauhan declared a personal interest at item 6 of the agenda by virtue of being a Founder of a Homeless Friendly Charity.

There were no public questions received.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 20^th September 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Economy which informed the Cabinet that all Local Authorities were required to publish a new Homelessness Strategy every five years, as a minimum, based on a review of homelessness in the district. The Council’s current Strategy covered the period 2016-21. The report sought approval for the new Homelessness Strategy 2021-26.

Members were informed that the Homelessness Act 2002 placed a statutory requirement on local authorities to publish a Homelessness Strategy based on a Review of homelessness in their district. These strategies must be published at least every 5 years, with Oldham’s most recent Strategy running from 2016-2021.

Oldham’s new Homelessness Prevention and Reduction Strategy 2021-26 had been developed in consultation with residents, stakeholders and Elected Members, and informed by a comprehensive Review of homelessness between 2016-2020. The Review particularly focussed on the period since the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act between 2018-2020, including an in-depth analysis of customer groups presenting to the Housing Options service, their support needs and the reasons why they came to be homeless.

The Strategy Delivery Plan took a pragmatic approach to tackling homelessness in Oldham, acknowledging that resources were finite, and the effects of austerity and the Covid-19 pandemic would have a lasting impact on communities. Its focus was on making best use of what the Council had and demonstrated an effective business case for further investment and working in partnership to deliver the following priorities:

·         Advice and information

·         Early identification

·         Pre-crisis intervention

·         Prevent recurring homelessness

·         Partnership arrangements

Options/alternatives

1.    Approve the contents of the Oldham Homelessness Prevention and Reduction Strategy 2021-26

2.    Retain the priorities from the previous Homelessness Strategy 2016-21

RESOLVED – That:

1.    The contents of the Oldham Homelessness Review 2016-20 be noted.

2.    The contents of the Oldham Homelessness Prevention and Reduction Strategy 2021-26 be approved.

Members gave consideration to a report of the Deputy Chief Executive which sought approval of a new Temporary Accommodation Strategy and accompanying delivery plan, which set out how the Council would deliver efficiency and sustainment of temporary accommodation options pursuant to its statutory obligations.

The Cabinet noted that the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act coupled with the Council’s statutory housing advice service coming back in-house were notable contributors to the development of the Council’s Temporary Accommodation Strategy 2021-24.

The approach outlined in the Strategy would ensure the Council was able to withstand forthcoming homelessness pressures that hade been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, namely the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and moratorium on bailiff evictions.

The Strategy and Delivery Plan outlined a programme for delivery of temporary accommodation that would help reduce budgetary pressures, meet suitability and legal compliance standards and improve sustainability in the light of anticipated challenges.

Options/alternatives

1.    Do not approve the Temporary Accommodation Strategy 2021-24 and accompanying Delivery Plan.

2.    Approve the Temporary Accommodation Strategy 2021-24 and the accompanying delivery plan and commence a procurement exercise to create a TA Provider framework.

3.    Approve the Temporary Accommodation Strategy 2021-24 and accompanying delivery plan only.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information detailed at Item 10 before making a decision.

Members gave consideration to a report of the Deputy Chief Executive which sought approval to purchase five new waste collection vehicles. The vehicles would replace five old vehicle (2012 plates) and allow the waste management service to maintain and appropriately manage its statutory duties around domestic and commercial waste collections.

Members were informed that Oldham Council’s Waste Management Service required five new vehicles to maintain the service. After exploring all available options, the service was seeking approval to purchase the new vehicle fleet through the procurement process outlined within the report.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information detailed at Item 11 before making a decision.

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they contain exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and it would not, on balance, be in the public interest to disclose the reports.

RESOLVED that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they contain exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and it would not, on balance, be in the public interest to disclose the reports.

The Cabinet gave consideration to the commercially sensitive information in relation to Item 7 – Temporary Accommodation Strategy 2021-24.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations as detailed within the report be agreed.

The Cabinet gave consideration to the commercially sensitive information in relation to Item 8 – Waste Collection Vehicles.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations as detailed within the report be agreed.