Agenda and minutes

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

It was noted that in view of the business to be conducted at this meeting, all members and substitute members had been invited to attend.

To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

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

Exclusion: 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 following paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended) or are confidential under Section 100(A)(2):

The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, which came into effect on 1 March 2006, requires the Council to consider whether maintaining the exemption listed above outweighs the potential public interest in disclosing the information. Any member who considers that this test should be applied to any currently exempted matter on this agenda should contact the proper officer at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Confidential Items Commencement: Paragraph 9 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution require:

(1)        All business of the Council requiring to be transacted in the presence of the press and public to be completed by 10.00 p.m. at the latest.

(2)        At the time appointed under (1) above, the Chairman shall permit the completion of debate on any item still under consideration, and at his or her discretion, any other remaining business whereupon the Council shall proceed to exclude the public and press.

(3)        Any public business remaining to be dealt with shall be deferred until after the completion of the private part of the meeting, including items submitted for report rather than decision.

Background Papers:  Paragraph 8 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution define background papers as being documents relating to the subject matter of the report which in the Proper Officer's opinion:

(a)            disclose any facts or matters on which the report or an important part of the report is based;  and

(b)        have been relied on to a material extent in preparing the report and does not include published works or those which disclose exempt or confidential information (as defined in Rule 10) and in respect of executive reports, the advice of any political advisor.

Inspection of background papers may be arranged by contacting the officer responsible for the item.

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 paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act indicated and the exemption is considered to outweigh the potential public interest in disclosing the information:

            Agenda            Subject            Exempt Information 

Item No                   Paragraph Nos

            6            Previous Appeals            1 and 2

                        and Applications - Current Position

To consider a restricted report.

The Panel received schedules giving a progress report on recent cases where the matter was still active within Housing Services.  The Head of Housing Services reported on issues which had arisen since the schedules had been prepared.

The Panel noted that in relation to Application 7/06, the applicant was currently being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation pending the processing of an application to the Floating Support Scheme.

In relation to Application 6/06, the applicant was being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation pending a vacancy on the NACRO SAFE Project.  Members were advised that an applicant who responded positively to the opportunities made available under this scheme would be likely to be placed fairly high on the Council's Housing Register when the accommodation provided under the SAFE Project ceased to be available.

The Panel noted that in relation to Appeal 2/06, a letter had been sent to the County Occupational Therapist Service Manager on March 2006 but no reply had yet been received.

The Panel noted the reasons why the applicants in cases 23/05, 16/05 and 15/05 had not pursued appeals which they had lodged with the County Court against the Panel's decisions.

The Panel agreed that cases 5/06, 4/06, 7/06, 3/06, 23/05, 21/05, 16/05 and 15/05 should be deleted from future schedules.

            RESOLVED:

            That the progress report on previously heard cases be noted.

The Panel agreed to consider the remainder of the business in public session.

(Head of Housing Services) To consider the attached report.

As requested at the last meeting, the Panel received a report from the Housing Needs Manager on the Council's housing duties and powers in relation to young people under the age of 18.

Members noted that under Section 179 of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII, every local authority had to ensure that advice and information about homelessness and the prevention of homelessness was available free of charge to any person in their district.  At this Authority, from the outset, if a 16-18 year old was seeking assistance with housing options, a plan of action would be put in place by the Homeless Prevention Officer in order to prevent homelessness.  The Housing Needs Manager reported that the Council worked with Relate who currently provided a mediation service to the Authority.  If a 16-17 year old was faced with exclusion, then immediate attempts would be made to engage with Relate.  Since the Council had started working with Relate during 2005, 31 cases had been referred to them for mediation and, of those, 70% had been successful in homelessness being prevented.

The Panel noted that the Council also worked in conjunction with Connexions.  Connexions provided a free, confidential and impartial advice service to young people on many aspects including welfare benefits, employment and housing.  Members received a leaflet explaining the role undertaken by Connexions and details of the local Connexions Centre.

The Panel was advised that if attempts to prevent homelessness failed, then arrangements would normally be made to refer the applicant to the Homelessness Section.  On referral, the Homelessness Officer dealing with the application would be responsible for deciding on homelessness, eligibility, priority need and local connection.  Should homelessness be unavoidable and the person was aged 17 or under, the Council was duty bound to provide accommodation under Section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII as amended.  At this stage, if the Council was concerned about the young person's ability to cope then a referral would be made to Social Care for a child in need assessment, in accordance with an agreed protocol between the Council and Social Care.  Members received a copy of the Protocol and noted that the aims of it were to prevent homelessness where appropriate and to ensure that young people were dealt with efficiently.

The attention of the Panel was drawn to a project being developed with Brentwood Borough Council and Uttlesford District Council for the provision of accommodation for young parents.  It was hoped that this would secure accommodation situated within the Epping Forest District funded by the Housing Corporation, which would meet the needs of appropriate young people in all three council areas.  Currently, investigations were being made to find a suitable site for the development.

The Housing Needs Manager reported that in the event of a young person being placed into bed and breakfast accommodation, the Homelessness Officer would liaise closely with the Housing Welfare Officer for Temporary Accommodation on the placement.  Members noted that an appointment had recently been made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.