Decision details

Decision details

Housing Storage Policy

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

A report by the Housing Project Manager was presented to Cabinet and set out how the Council would deliver this function to the eligible homeless applicants.  The policy was in line with 1996 Housing Act which required local authorities to take reasonable steps to prevent the loss of or damage to any personal property of the applicant where no other suitable arrangements had been made.

 

Councillor Johnson introduced the policy and described how it would support people and make them aware of the service available.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Scudder the Housing Project Manager commented that if someone was intentionally homeless the Council would still offer support and they would receive temporary accommodation.  When a person moved on from temporary accommodation they would be expected to take their belongings with them.  If items were put into storage this incurred a charge.  Therefore, this policy worked with the Private Sector Discharge Policy, already discussed, as the earlier someone moved out of temporary accommodation the earlier their items could come out of storage.

 

Councillor Sharpe commented that Members, through casework, came into contact with constituents who had become homeless and who had the potential not just to lose their home but also their belongings.  It was important to have an effective service and that storage costs were recovered once people were in a better situation.  For the residents it would be preferable to pay a small amount for storage rather than having to replace their belongings. 

 

The Chair confirmed that their was budget available for the service.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet:

  • Approves the Storage Policy
  • While noting the target approval date of 19th January 2015, Cabinet delegated authority for agreeing the implementation and precise implementation date to the Head of Community and Customer Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing.
  • Notes that minor changes to the Policy may be deemed necessary during implementation and that the Council’s constitution delegated authority for these to be made by the Head of Community and Customer Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing.

Report author: Abiodun Omotoso

Publication date: 26/01/2015

Date of decision: 19/01/2015

Decided at meeting: 19/01/2015 - Cabinet

Effective from: 28/01/2015

Accompanying Documents:

 

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