Agenda item

·  Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Task & Finish Group - commissioned by the Neighbourhoods and Community Services Scrutiny Panel

(a)  That the report of the Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Task & Finish Group be welcomed.

(b)  That the recommendations as laid out in section 5.3 of the report be endorsed.

(c)  That the Scrutiny Panel receive an update report in September 2021 and the Cabinet be updated in October 2021.

The Cabinet considered a reference from the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Task & Finish Group that had been commissioned by the Neighbourhoods & Community Services (NCS) Scrutiny Panel.

The chair of the Task & Finish Group, Councillor Ajaib, and the Chair of the NCS Scrutiny Panel, Councillor Hulme, addressed the Cabinet and summarised the findings and recommendations.  The aim had been to identify actions that would provide better and more intensive support for some of the most vulnerable people in Slough.  The Task & Finish Group had made a wide range of recommendations set out fully in paragraph 5.3 of the report relating to strategic partnerships, collaboration & funding; communications; commissioning, complex needs and supply; health and mental health; skills and strengths; localities and customer services; and safety.

The Cabinet welcomed the report from the Task & Finish Group and the Panel.  The Executive Director of Customer & Community commented that Officers also welcomed the report and had already started to implement some of the findings.  It was noted for example that the debt welfare team had been expanded to provide the necessary support to try to prevent homelessness.  The Cabinet was advised that the recommendations could therefore be accepted.

It was agreed to adopt the recommendations as set out and to receive an update report in November 2021 on the progress in implementing the recommendations.  It was suggested that that update be considered by the scrutiny panel before coming to Cabinet.

Resolved –

(a)  That the report of the Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Task & Finish Group be welcomed.

(b)  That the recommendations as laid out in section 5.3 of the report be endorsed.

(c)  That the Scrutiny Panel receive an update report in September 2021 and the Cabinet be updated in October 2021.