Agenda and minutes

(Head of Research and Democratic Services) To report the attendance of any substitute members for the meeting.

It was noted that there were no substitute members present at this meeting.

To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct.

            To consider whether, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act indicated.

            Agenda                   Exempt information

            Item No.            Subject            Paragraph Number

            5            Appeal No. 22/2005                          3

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items which are confidential under Section 100(A)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972.

            Item No.            Subject

            Nil            Nil

RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the item of business set out below as it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act indicated:

            Agenda            Subject            Exempt Information

            Item No.                  Paragraph No.

            5            Appeal No. 22/2005            3

To consider a restricted report.

The Panel was advised that consideration of this appeal had been deferred at the last meeting as the appellant had been in hospital giving birth.  The Panel was reminded that this appeal was against a decision of the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness) acting under delegated authority in relation to the appellant's homeless application.  The appellant attended the meeting accompanied by a friend.  Mr R Wallace, Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness) attended the meeting to present the Council's case.  Mr R Wilson, Assistant Head of Housing Services, attended the meeting to advise the Panel as required on legal issues and details of the national and local housing policies relative to the appeal.

The Chairman introduced the members of the Panel and officers present to the appellant and outlined the procedures to be followed in order to ensure that proper consideration was given to the appeal.  The Chairman advised that the Panel had no previous involvement with this case.

The Panel had before them the following documents which were taken into consideration:

(a)        a summary of the appeal, together with the facts of the case, forming part of the agenda for the meeting;

(b)        a copy of a letter dated 16 June 2005 from the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness) to a friend of the appellant who had allowed the appellant to stay with her for a short period at a property in this District;

(c)        a copy of a letter received on 28 June 2005 from the friend of the appellant in response to the Council's letter dated 16 June 2005;

(d)        a copy of a letter dated 16 June 2005 from the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness) to Ealing London Borough Council;

(e)        a copy of a letter dated 1 July 2005 from Ealing London Borough Council to the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness);

(f)         a copy of a letter dated July 2005 from the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness) to the appellant;

(g)        a copy of a report of an interview between a Housing Officer and the appellant dated 19 July 2005;

(h)        a copy of a letter dated 24 August 2005 from the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness) to the Ealing London Borough Council;

(i)         a copy of a letter dated 5 September 2005 from the Ealing London Borough Council to the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness);

(j)         a copy of a report of an interview between a Housing Officer and the appellant dated 5 September 2005;

(k)        an affordability assessment partially completed but not signed by the appellant;

(l)         a copy of a letter dated 15 September 2005 from the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness) to the Ealing London Borough Council;

(m)      a copy of a letter dated 21 September 2005 from the Ealing London Borough Council to the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness);

(n)        a copy of a letter dated 26 October 2005 from the Assistant Housing Needs Manager (Homelessness) to the appellant; and

(o)        a copy of the application to the Housing Appeals Panel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.