Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N J Davies, G J Tanner and Cabinet Members W Evans and A S Lewis.

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

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

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 June 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Jody Davies, Team Leader, Tenancy Support Unit (TSU) provided a presentation on the work provided by the Tenancy Support Unit.

She explained that the TSU was the central referral route for floating support services in Swansea and they provided a range of advice and support to residents, regardless of tenure, in order to help them sustain and manage their home independently. 

The aims and objectives of the Unit are to prevent homelessness and promote independence and improve quality of life.

Councillors asked various questions and discussions centred on the following items:

·                 The relationship between the TSU and the Local Area Co-ordinators, the number of which was likely to be increased in the near future;

·                 In order to prevent homelessness and maintain independence, the TSU provided housing related support and advice to all tenants not just Local Authority tenants;

·                 The TSU had received a Chartered Institute of Housing award for the work undertaken;

·                 Tenancies for under 18s are agreed on a case by case basis by Housing Options and are primarily young families that are homeless. The TSU does support under 18s with tenancies. This would be undertaken by either Action for Children or SYSHP.

·                 The Armed Forces Champion queried whether a link to support and advice for former Armed Forces personnel in relation to tenancy assistance could be placed on the Armed Forces Covenant web page;

·                 It was confirmed that all the funding provided to the TSU came via the Welsh Government;

·                 An explanation of the term “Life skills” was discussed, this could relate to anything provided it was classed as “housing support” ranging from coping mechanisms, how to use white goods or how to recycle.

The Chair and members thanked the officer for her very informative presentation.

RESOLVED that the Chair write to and forward the presentation to all Councillors for their information.

The Chair presented an updated Work Plan 2016/2017. 

RESOLVED that the Work Plan be noted subject to the following amendments:

a)    The meeting arranged for 8 September 2016 be re-scheduled to 15 September 2016;

b)    The meeting arranged for 13 October 2016 be re-scheduled to 20 October 2016.