The Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health has decided to approve a consultation for a new Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy.

URL: https://moderngov.rotherham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1960

Decision Maker: Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Approve the proposed one round of consultation to commence immediately, which will run for the duration of 8 weeks, which will help to facilitate the formulation of a new draft Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy which is on the Forward Plan for May 2026.

Content: Approve the proposed one round of consultation to commence immediately, which will run for the duration of 8 weeks, which will help to facilitate the formulation of a new draft Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy which is on the Forward Plan for May 2026.   ROTHERHAM METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL   RECORD OF OFFICER EXECUTIVE DECISION   Date of Decision: 23rd June 2025 Title: Consultation on the review of the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2023-2026 to facilitate the formulation of a new strategy. Decision Maker: (Including Job Title) Ian Spicer, Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health   Details of Specific Cabinet Delegation or Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.   Section 4c3: STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF ADULT CARE, HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH – DELEGATED EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS The Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health is authorised to discharge executive functions through the commissioning and provision of social services for adults and public health services for the whole population and delivery of housing for the Borough, including: - 2. Housing (d) Housing Options This is further supplemented by that the current strategy was approved by Cabinet in March 2023 and published in April 2023. (3-year strategy). The Strategy is set to expire, necessitating a review and refresh. Under Section 1(1) of the 2002 Act, the Council is obligated to: (a) Conduct a homelessness review for their district. (b) Formulate and publish a homelessness strategy based on the review's findings.   Decision: Approve the proposed one round of consultation to commence immediately, which will run for the duration of 8 weeks, which will help to facilitate the formulation of a new draft Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy which is on the Forward Plan for May 2026.   Reasons for the Decision: The Homelessness Code of Guidance, states that Housing authorities must consult public or local authorities, voluntary organisations, or other persons as they consider appropriate before adopting or modifying a homelessness strategy. It also states that Housing authorities may also wish to consult with service users and specialist agencies that provide support to homeless people in the district. Best practice includes engaging with people with lived experience of homelessness. This was demonstrated in the development of the current Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2023-2026. Although significant progress has been achieved during the current strategy period, housing services have encountered new challenges related to the six priorities. These challenges include the continued cost-of-living crisis impacting households, a shortage of affordable housing, and changes in the private rental market. During the current term of the Rotherham’s Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy there has been a change in central government. The new government is planning to publish the updated Homelessness Strategy in mid-2025. This Strategy will likely address current challenges and outline new priorities and initiatives to tackle homelessness more effectively. Despite the key issues noted above, Housing Services does not anticipate that the refreshed strategy will propose extensive changes to the existing strategy, given that the current strategy was approved in March 2023. Details of alternative options considered and rejected: Refresh the current strategy without consultation.   Preferred option for the following reasons: Consultation Approach: It is proposed to proceed with a streamlined, single-round consultation approach, considering the extensive engagement and consultation previously conducted in 2022/23 for the current Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2023-2026. Consultation Themes: The consultation will focus on presenting the key aims and six priorities of the current Strategy (2023-26). The Council will seek feedback from stakeholders and residents on the following areas: Whether the priorities remain relevant to Rotherham. How the Council can support the achievement of these aims and priorities. Any additional key homelessness issues that should be included in the next Strategy (2026-2031), which is proposed as a five-year plan to allow for a longer implementation period. There is no legal requirement for an extensive consultation period. The Local Government Association suggests, as best practice, a consultation of 6-12 weeks.The proposed approach allows for a consultation period within this range. Consultation Methods: The formulation Online public survey which will run for 8-weeks in the summer of 2025, internal/external meetings, forums, targeted focus groups, including people with lived experience, to run alongside this period   Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision: None Dispensations Granted: (If any) None Reports or parts of reports considered Homelessness and Prevention & Rough Sleeper Strategy 2023-2026    I certify that this is a true record of the executive decision to ….   Approve an, one round, 8-week consultation to start immediately, aiding the formulation of a new draft Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy, scheduled for the Forward Plan in May 2026.   Signed by the Decision Maker   Dated:          23/06/25   Name:          Ian Spicer                         Job Title:    Strategic Director of Adults, Housing & Public Health                            

Date of Decision: June 23, 2025