Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny has further agreed that the call-in procedure shall not apply to this urgent decision. This is because the decision is urgent and any delay in implementation caused by the call-in procedure would seriously prejudice the Council's or the public's interests due to the fact that this is a National emergency and the Council must ensure that it is in the best possible place to continue to provide services, particularly in relation to support to the vulnerable, and address public health issues. These decisions will ensure that there is accommodation for homeless people and they are able to access accommodation as soon as possible. Accordingly, the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed that the decision is both reasonable in all circumstances, and that it should be treated as a matter of urgency. This is in accordance with Part 4, Section H, and Paragraph 18 (a) and (b) of the Council Constitution.

The Leader noted that at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis the Government asked Councils to take an expansive view of housing the homeless.

It was noted that due to Covid-19 officers have been using the Council’s discretion to accommodate people who would otherwise be expected to make their own arrangements. This included rough sleepers, and people at risk of rough sleeping regardless of local connection, immigration status, eligibility or priority need.

It was further noted that officers have provided for 216 individuals with hotel provision so far, with 58 spaces coming on-line in Red House and Cranwood in the coming weeks, and the Council expected the need to continue up to at least a further 160 individuals.

This urgent decision was required to secure these 104 rooms until June 30 2020 to ensure the Council was still able to meet this commitment.

The Leader considered the report and exempt information and:

RESOLVED

1. To waive the Contract Standing Orders 9.01 to 9.07 of the Constitution.

2. To agree to the Council entering into a contract to rent 104 rooms at Finsbury Park Travelodge until end June 2020 at a total cost set out in Part B of the report for the purposes set out in paragraph 1.4 of this report.

3. To note the amount already spent or committed to in the provision of 240 units and the likely forecast in order to meet this need going forward.

4. To approve the virement of £2m from the Emergency Response        Contingency in the General Fund, in order to meet the cost of the additional Covid-19 related housing pressures up to the end of June, including the initiative proposed in this report.

Reasons for decision

Due to Covid-19 officers were using the Council’s discretion to accommodate people who would otherwise be expected to make their own arrangements. This included rough sleepers, and people at risk of rough sleeping regardless of local connection, immigration status, eligibility or priority need. This was in line with the Government’s request to councils at the beginning of this crisis.

Officers have provided 216 individuals with hotel provision so far and expected the need to continue up to at least a further 160 individuals. This contract with Travelodge was needed in order to continue to meet need until the Covid-19 situation improves.

Alternative options considered

One alternative option would be to rent rooms in a number of additional smaller hotels. However, this was not desirable because the supply is drying up and it is more expensive and difficult to provide support in a number of additional locations.

Another alternative option would be to convert an existing building to a hostel. However, the lead in time for this would be too long to meet existing need.

Another alternative option would be to not house the single homeless at this time. However, this is not considered to be acceptable.

The appendices of this report  contain exempt information as defined under paragraph 3 , Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act:

·         Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

As per item 31 and the exempt minutes.