The Head of Housing and Communities introduced the report which provided an update on the current performance in relation to TA, and current budget position.  The report also discussed the current risks and controls in place to manage the TA budget.

She reported that with regard to grant levels, the Council had received the Homeless Prevention Grant (HPG) in 2025/26 of £1,346,129, and the Rough Sleepers (RS) grant.  She referred to Government announcements for further funding for Homelessness for Local Councils on 10 October 2025 World Homeless Day, and confirmed that unfortunately Swale did not receive any of this additional funding.

The Chair invited Members to make comments, and these included:

·         A Member Briefing on how the housing system worked needed to be held as most Members did not know enough about the system;

·         welcomed the report and thanked officers for their hard work;

·         the Government needed to look at the list of Statutory Duties of Local Councils as it seemed ‘bonkers’ that rough sleeping and planning enforcement were not statutory services;

·         it was important that Members asked residents to bid on any property, as there was always the opportunity to swap, it was important to get ‘your foot in the door’;

·         how did the Council compare to Southern Housing in terms of housing turnaround?;

·         all residents that qualified should be on the Housing Register;

·         real concerns regarding the reduction in lets, and the increase in homelessness;

·         the local MP’s and all Members should be invited to attend the rough sleeper count;

·         if savings were being made from the interventions could the scheme be extended?; and

·         phase II of the TA Purchase Scheme should be added to the Forward Decisions Plan (FDP).

The Head of Housing and Communities clarified where necessary, and agreed to ensure that the Performance Information set out on page 30 of the report was clearer for the next meeting.  She said that the reduction in void turnaround lets was often due to the condition that tenants had left the properties.  Also, a concern was the reduction in affordable housing supply.  Officers were having multi-agency organisation meetings to tackle the issue of rough sleepers, and the majority of Swale rough sleepers were local caused by family breakdown; complex issues; addiction issues; or had been evicted.  The consensus was that these were often due to a lack of mental health provision.  With regard to extending the interventions, the Head of Housing and Communities was not sure this could happen currently due to resource issues.

The Accommodation Supply and Resettlement Manager advised that turnaround times were dependent on the property and how it had been left by the outgoing tenant.  It could be ready for relet within a couple of weeks and they always ensured new gas and electric certificates were issued for every new tenant as it was best practice.  They always made sure that basic furniture was provided and ensured turnaround was achieved as quickly as possible.

Councillor Angela Harrison moved the following motion:  That the Council asked the Government to review the list of Statutory Duties of Local Councils and that rough sleeping and planning enforcement be added.  This was seconded by Councillor Hayden Brawn.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed by Members.

Councillor Ben J Martin moved the following motion:  That the Council invited the local MP’s and all Members to assist with the count of rough sleepers in Swale.  This was seconded by Councillor Harrison.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Resolved:

(1)          That the report be noted.

Recommendation:

(1)          That the Council asks the Government to review the list of Statutory Duties of Local Councils and that rough sleeping and planning enforcement be added. 

(2)          That the Council invites the local MP’s and all Members to assist with the count of rough sleepers in Swale.