Agenda item

To receive and discuss Temporary Accommodation Deep Dive report which informs Scrutiny of advance notification that has been received from the Department of Levelling up, Housing, Communities and Local Government (DLUHC) that Oldham Council’s Chief Executive was due to be contacted to ask the Council to participate in a deep dive around its temporary accommodation (TA) use.

The Scrutiny Board considered a report of the Director of Economy which advised members that advance notification had been received from the Department of Levelling up, Housing, Communities and Local Government (DLUHC) that Oldham Council’s Chief Executive was due to be contacted to ask that the Council participate in a deep dive around its temporary accommodation (TA) use.

The context for this contact and the deep dive had been prompted by concern about the particularly acute pressures on the TA market at present, and the increase in poor quality, poor value-for-money accommodation types; including Bed and Breakfast and ‘nightly paid’ TA.

The DLUHC was therefore keen to understand more about the drivers of these changes and was intending to carry out ‘deep dive’ sessions in collaboration with local authorities in a number of areas, which would look at the reason these forms of TA are used and work together to identify some potential solutions.

The Director advised that the Scrutiny Board Members were being asked to note the report, to discuss the challenges with TA at this time, and to reflect on any additional areas which need exploring ahead of the deep dive discussions with DLUHC.

The DLUHC had advised that the details of the Deep Dive were yet to be confirmed, but similar exercises have been carried out around service areas such as the Rough Sleeping Initiative and had taken approximately two days, requiring on-site visits and follow-up work. It was thought that the Deep Dive was likely to involve: - Focus sessions with key staff and residents; Visits to properties to review quality; Analysis of budgets; and Case studies.

The DLUHC had also advised that they were looking to work with six local authorities across England, whom they have selected in regional pairs. In the north of England, this involved Oldham and Manchester. Selection was based on ensuring a diversity of areas across the six, and in areas which were using Bed and Breakfast/Nightly Paid accommodation according to statistical returns made to the DLUHC.

As well as hoping to identify potential solutions, another aim of the Deep Dive was to potentially build a business case around TA. Whilst this was not guaranteed to provide additional funding for Oldham, the initiative could be utilised towards future service change. The DLUHC had noted that they are aware of Oldham being a Levelling Up area and had advised that they would ensure there was no duplication with work around this.

The Scrutiny Board was advised of the potential benefits for the Borough that could be achieved as a result of the authority’s participation in the Deep Dive:

a.    DLUHC have advised that, whilst there are no confirmed financial incentives attached, the Deep Dive may be able to build a future business case that can be utilised towards policy and service change.

b.    Oldham Council has the potential to learn best practice from advisors at DLUHC as well as other local authorities from participating in the Deep Dive

c.    Oldham would be contributing to research which will directly influence central government policy

d.    Positive participation may improve the Council’s reputation

Resolved:

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That the Director of Economy be requested to submit a further report to this Scrutiny Board detailing progress on the implementation of the Deep Dive in due course.

3.    That the Scrutiny Board consider holding a workshop session around the subject of Temporary Accommodation, when more details become available.