Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

In accordance with the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, no declarations of Whipped Votes or Party Whips were declared.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record. 

Resolved that the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committee held on 15 November, 2022, be signed and approved as a correct record.

Questions can be submitted in writing to Democratic Services democracy@swansea.gov.uk up until noon on the working day prior to the meeting. Written questions take precedence. Public may attend and ask questions in person if time allows.  Questions must relate to items on the open part of the agenda and will be dealt within a 10 minute period.

There were no public questions.

The Cabinet Member for Service Transformation introduced her report and stated that Homelessness had increased across Wales.  Reference was made to Swansea Council’s ‘Always a Bed’ pledge and she placed on record her thanks to both internal and external teams who worked during the Covid Pandemic and continued to work to help people at their time of need. 

The Cabinet Member for Service Transformation asked the Operations Manager, Community Housing Services to provide an overview on current homelessness pressures and how these pressures are being tackled.

The Operations Manager, Community Housing Services, detailed the  background regarding the challenges of the Covid Pandemic, levels and causes of homelessness, housing support programme strategy  and strategic priorities, current achievements, challenges going forward and conclusion and summary.

In addition to the Operations Manager, Community Housing Services, the Head of Housing & Public and Landlord & Community Housing Services Manager were present to assist the Committee.

Committee questioning and discussion focussed on the following:

·        Housing Support Programme Strategy 2023-2027.

·        Challenges associated with the Covid pandemic.   

·        Nature and levels of homeless presentations.

·        Challenges associated with temporary accommodation.

·        Progress with rapid rehousing and multi-agency support.

·        Partnership working with Health around mental health support and tackling substance misuse.

·        Reduction in the levels of rough sleepers. (Comparative figures of rough sleepers in Swansea and the other Welsh Local Authorities to be provided to Members).

·        Progress in relation to supported housing.

·        Nature, levels and ongoing development of housing for single persons

·        Ongoing initiatives to deal with the causes of homelessness.

·       Changes in regard to the private rented sector and the impact of landlords looking at more lucrative options such as Air B&B/holiday lets.

Due to technical difficulties, the Chair advised that the meeting would need to conclude and a letter would be sent to the Cabinet Member for Service Transformation reflecting discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.

Resolved that the item be deferred to the meeting scheduled on Tuesday, 17 January, 2023.

Resolved that the item be deferred to the meeting scheduled on Tuesday, 17 January, 2023.

Discussion on:

a) Committee Work Plan.

b) Opportunities for Pre-Decision Scrutiny.

c) Progress with Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups.

Resolved that the item be deferred to the meeting scheduled on Tuesday, 17 January, 2023.

Resolved that the item be deferred to the meeting scheduled on Tuesday, 17 January, 2023.

Resolved that the item be deferred to the meeting scheduled on Tuesday, 17 January, 2023.