The Scrutiny Officer, Stefan Robinson, provided an update on the Panel’s work Plan. He explained that several items were scheduled at the request of the 2017/18 Panel, and there was space at various meetings to commission further reports, whilst having regards to the capacity of the relevant officers.

Councillor Wolff proposed that options for a Council owned lettings agency be added the Panel’s Work Plan. He highlighted that a Council motion was agreed in February 2016 which tasked the City Executive Board with considering setting up a new letting agency owned and operated by the Council.  This work had not been taken forward, in part because of the Council’s focus on establishing a housing company. The rationale for establishing such a letting agency would be to drive up ethical standards in the local private rented sector, and operate as a not for profit service for the benefits of residents.

This proposal was supported by the Panel, and it was agreed that a report on options for a council owned lettings agency would be considered at the Panel meeting on 4 March 2019.

Councillor Howlett proposed that the Panel consider how well the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is working for rough sleepers, and how prepared the Council is for supporting rough sleepers in the winter. The Head of Housing advised that new funding from HM Government was supporting new work in this area. The Panel agreed to schedule a report for 12 November 2018 to consider what provisions were in place for SWEP, and a further update report on 4 March 2019 to consider how well SWEP had worked over the winter, and the lessons that could be learnt.

Services for female rough sleepers were also considered for the Work Plan. The Panel were advised that the No Local Connection Review Group may want to consider this issue as part of their work, and that a duplication of work would be undesirable. The Head of Housing suggested that services for female rough sleepers would be picked up in wider discussions on homelessness issues, and Councillor Bely-Summers said she was involved in a project on the issue. There may be opportunity for this work to feed into the Housing Panel or Review Group’s work.

The Panela also agreed to schedule for its meeting on 4 March 2019 a report concerning how effective the Council’s purchases of temporary accommodation have been in supporting those at risk of homelessness. The issue of a private renters association was also discussed, but this was not prioritised for the Work Plan.

The Panel agreed to keep the additional outstanding items listed on the agenda as part of its Work Plan as items to be tabled.