URL: https://rother.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1730

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To update Members on progress of the Improvement Delivery Plan of the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Housing strategy.

Content: Consideration was given to the report of the Acting Director of Community, which provided Members with an update on progress made towards achieving the Council’s three strategic priorities included in the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. The outcome of the full review was detailed in the Improvement Delivery Plan (Appendix A to the report), together with a summary of all actions achieved so far at Appendix B to the report.   This was the final update on this Strategy as its term came to an end on 31 December 2024.  The Housing Development Strategy Task and Finish Group had been formed to establish revised housing development objectives in a standalone strategy, the Housing Development and Enablement Strategy, which would be complemented by a separate Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (HRSS).  A draft HRSS would go out for consultation in February 2025.   The housing landscape was very different from 2019 and there was a much larger emphasis on the Council’s property acquisition programme and its enablement function, as well as a significant increase in homelessness prevention (up 85% since 2021/22).  In the current financial climate, the Council would continue to explore additional opportunities for successfully delivering more services in-house, as well as jointly commissioned services, sharing costs across local authority  partnerships.   The new HRSS would be more targeted and allow for more detailed work in terms of developing an action plan, which would be published alongside the Strategy.  The HRSS would sit alongside a new and emerging East Sussex Housing Strategy that was being developed at the same time as the two new Rother District Council strategies. The countywide approach would enable the district and boroughs to have more impact at a regional level and ensure that they were better integrated into the new Integrated Case System (ICS). The ICS promoted closer partnership between health and social care, alongside wider system partners, including housing.   The Council’s Housing Company, Rother DC Housing Company Ltd, had made significant progress since the last update report to progress its first major new housing scheme at Blackfriars, to deliver 200 new dwellings. Actions included successfully retendering and entering a contract with a new registered provider to deliver 130 affordable homes, completion of a redesign to improve efficiencies across the site and a retender for a new main contractor to deliver the homes.   Cabinet was pleased to note the progress and success of many of the achievements of the current Strategy, which were testament to the strength of partnership working in Rother and ongoing commitment from all stakeholders to improve the quality of life for residents, which would continue into the next term and strategies.   Members paid tribute to the work of the dedicated Housing Team for the achievements met and the innovative and creative solutions that had been put in place to meet the housing needs of residents.   RESOLVED: That:   1)        the revised Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Improvement Plan 2024, at Appendix A to the report, be approved; and   2)        the ‘targets achieved’, detailed within Appendix B to the report, be noted. (Councillor McCourt declared an Other Registerable Interest as a member of the Bexhill Community Land Trust and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting for the consideration thereof).   (Councillor Thomas declared an Other Registerable Interest as a Chair of the Council’s Housing Company, Rother DC Housing Company Ltd and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting for the consideration thereof).  

Date of Decision: January 6, 2025