Issue - meetings

(a) That the Housing and Communities portfolio cost pressures be noted; and

(b) That the Housing and Communities portfolio options to reduce budgets be noted.

The Strategic Finance Manager – Financial Strategy and Insurance introduced the report to review and comment on the budget pressures and cost reductions under the remit of the Committee.  She gave a presentation on the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Budget Setting 2024/25 which covered the following points:

• purpose and background
• additional budget requirements of the Council 2024/25
• additional budget requirement – ongoing risks
• overall position after initial solutions
• summary and conclusions
• next steps for the budget setting process 2024/25
• budget process Stage 2
• budget process Stage 3 – (Final)

The Chief Officer (Housing and Communities) gave a presentation on the Cost Pressures which covered the following points:

• Homelessness demand
• Benefits – Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Councillor David Evans in referring to the report commented that whilst there was a proposed budget reduction option for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, there were no options to reduce the cost pressures associated with the Homelessness demand.  He suggested that since the Minister at UK Government had said that there were no plans to house migrants at the Northop Hall Country House Hotel, could consideration be given to contacting them to house people presenting as homeless in order to reduce the budget pressure.  The Chief Officer (Housing and Communities) explained that there would be a report outlining options to reduce the Homelessness cost pressures presented to the next meeting of the Committee.  A number of avenues were being explored, including how to make better use of the current housing stock and all options would be presented to the Committee as part of the report.

In response to the suggestion made by Councillor Evans, Councillor Linda Thew advised the Committee that the Northop Hall Country House Hotel only had 37 hotel rooms and that the proposals to house migrants included additional containers being placed in the grounds of the hotel.  She also explained that the hotel was currently continuing to function as a hotel and said that she would not want to see people presenting as homeless placed in housing containers.  Councillor Evans explained that he was not suggesting people being placed in housing containers.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin supported the comments made by Councillor Evans and said that the Council must consider all options in order to reduce the cost pressure on homelessness, and that all Members must be aware of properties within their own ward that could be considered for use.  She also referred to the cost pressures associated with Out of County Placements and asked if information on the Out of County placements for the previous year could be provided.  The Strategic Finance Manager suggested that this information be circulated following the meeting.

Councillor Dennis Hutchinson sought clarification on whether discussions had been held between the Council and owners of the Northop Hall Country House Hotel.  He was concerned around possible liability for the hotel and whether this would fall to the Council if people presenting as homeless were housed there and also the cost to do so.  He felt that any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39