Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations.

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair to announce the following: ‘In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record this meeting, I would like to remind everyone that this meeting is being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and can be viewed on our website for twelve months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available upon request.

If you have asked to address the meeting, you are deemed to be consenting to having your contributions recorded and broadcast, including video when switched on, and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.’

Any other announcements

There were no announcements.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th September 2023

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

To consider the draft report of the Homelessness Scrutiny Panel

Consideration was given to the draft Homelessness Scrutiny Panel report.

It was confirmed that following papers had been circulated in addition to the published draft report:

·            officer suggested revisions draft report; and

·            Cllr Jirira’s track changes draft report.

Glendine Shepherd summarised the officer suggested revisions to the draft report, which included the following changes:

·            to include context on the London and national position

·            to include a political context

·            to remove itemised quotes from officers and organisations, and instead provide a general overview

·            to categorise the report into themed sections

In response to the officer suggestions, Members made the following comments:

·            the report was from the perspective of locally elected councillors and channelling feedback from residents and organisations, therefore the report should not be written in officer-speak. Members did not want to weaken the messages in the feedback from interviews, otherwise there was a risk the whole exercise would be negatively perceived by those who took part and be disappointed their input was not truly reflected in the final report. Members noted there were details missed out on the officer draft report, including recommendations relating to the NHS notification system and Camden officer capacity, which should be included.

·            Members stated that the recommendations report provided legitimacy for change in the Housing department and gave a voice to resident, partners and officers.  Positive change could only take place when uncomfortable truths were acknowledged, and improvements to service delivery was in the interest of all parties.

Members agreed the following amendments to the draft report:

·            To include the national and political context, to include the limitations of central government funding.

·            For Camden officer interviews be anonymised into a category ‘officer feedback’, and that voluntary sector interviews be named.

·            For language be accessible to lay people using simplified language.

·            include the Panel’s positive endorsement of the Transformation Programme.

·            To include the complete list of Panel recommendations

·            To structure the report into themed sections.

RESOLVED -

THAT Panel Members:

1)    agree the draft report and any subsequent changes following the discussion, and

2)    agree that further changes to the report are delegated to the Chair of the Panel before the final report is published in the Housing Scrutiny Committee agenda.

There was no urgent business.