Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

Context:

To provide an updated position with regard to the development of the new build care home that will replace Severn View Residential Home. 

Key Issues:

·         This project seeks to replace and re-provide services currently provided at Severn View Residential Home in Chepstow. Previous reports to Adults Select Committee and Cabinet established the background to the proposals. 

·         The current facilities and environment at Severn View place restrictions on the Authority’s ability to deliver the range and extent of services that enable people living with dementia to live well and a life that matters. 

·         The home is on two floors and restricts free and spontaneous access to outside spaces.  Access to outside spaces is integral to people’s well-being; not only does it improve sleep and reduce stress, it supports people to develop a sense of self and of place.

·         The home is severely limited by not having en-suite bathrooms.  Shared bathrooms are increasingly untenable in providing care in the 21st Century and the Authority runs the risk of future problems with registration as a result.

·         The layout of the building does not support orientation and a sense of home.  The layout is one of a number of long corridors which is seen as poor practice in care home design; particularly in respect of people living with dementia due to difficulties in orientation and feelings of restriction.

·         Care practice has developed significantly over the last few years following significant investment by the Council in support and training to deliver a relationship based approach to holistic care.  The environment does not prevent care teams from adopting this approach but it limits the effectiveness and does not enhance the Authority’s ability to support this holistic approach.

·         The current model of staffing does not create the ratios that sufficiently allow the team members to practice as they would wish.  An amalgamated household support worker model is required that creates better staffing ratios.

·         It is well established and recognised the importance of integrating our care facilities with the surrounding community.  The current infrastructure and location of Severn View limits the opportunities for community integration.  A more radical approach is required to ensure that moving into permanent care does not mean isolation from your local community. 

·         South Monmouthshire currently has two rehabilitation beds at Severn View.  This represents an under provision when compared to Monmouth and Abergavenny.  There is a need to increase the number of rehabilitation beds in the south of the County to enhance our ability to facilitate hospital discharge and to prevent admission.

Member Scrutiny:

·         The proposal is for a 32 bed unit.  However, it was considered that there was an opportunity to take this a step further and investigate whether it would be feasible to create a 48 bed unit, and explore the options available with other organisations with a view to enhancing the proposal.

·         Revenue funding is available for the re-provision of Severn View Residential Home for a staffing model around 32 beds. However, the opportunity exists, whilst going through the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Context:

The report presents the proposed Gwent Regional Homelessness Strategy 2018-2022 and Action Plan, including the proposed Monmouthshire specific actions setting out the approach for tackling homelessness across Gwent. The report also includes a regional review of homeless services for Gwent, which informed the development of the strategy.

Key Issues:

·         Under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, it is a statutory requirement for the Council to publish a Homelessness Strategy that sets out its plans to prevent and tackle homelessness in their area.

·         The impact homelessness can have is devastating, not only on those affected by it but also on society both in terms of financial and social costs.

·         The Council has seen improved responses to homelessness since the previous strategy through the introduction of many initiatives such as:

-           Monmouthshire Lettings Agency.

-           Family Mediation Service.

-           Youth Accommodation Service.

-           Financial Inclusion Service.

-           Housing Support Services through the Gateway.

·         However, homelessness is still with us and demand continues to rise especially with the impact around welfare reform and the introduction of the new statutory duties under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.

·         There is a need for the Council to continue to find innovative solutions, not only to traditional causes of homelessness, but also to other areas such as mental health and rough sleeping.

·         In response, Monmouthshire County Council along with Torfaen County Borough Council, Newport City Council, Caerphilly County Borough Council and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council concluded that working collaboratively to prevent and alleviate homelessness in Gwent was the best approach.

·         This regional approach would enable the five partners to share resources and consider needs across local authority boundaries. A working group was established consisting of lead officers from the five authorities.

·         The working group agreed that the appointment of a Regional Research Officer was required to conduct a homelessness review across the five authorities and produce a review document that would inform the strategy.

·         The Review has taken into account data from various sources and consultations with various partners and stakeholders including internal departments and teams within the five local authorities.

·         In particular, it has looked at the following issues:

-           Excluded groups.

-           Families.

-           Single homeless people.

-           People with complex dependencies.

-           Causes of homelessness.

-           Current strategies and policies that support prevention.

-           Current services and support available to homeless households.

-           How this strategy links with Welsh Government aims.

-           It has identified emerging and potential challenges.

·         Based on the extensive research the Review Document directed the development of the Strategy, and Regional and Local Action Plans for the forthcoming four years.

·         The Strategy reflects the four priorities identified by the review:

Priority 1:       Help improve access to suitable and affordable housing.

Priority 2:       Offer fast and effective advice and support, working with partners to help vulnerable people.

Priority 3:       Minimise homelessness and prevent it through early intervention.

Priority 4:       Ensure fair, equal and person-centred homeless services.

·         Ten strategic objectives and their accompanying actions help deliver on the four priorities.

·         As  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Context:

To brief the Select Committee on the completion of the Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA), July 2018 and to seek approval for submission of the LHMA to the Welsh Government.

Key Issues:

·         All local authorities have a requirement to consider the housing accommodation needs of their localities under section 8 of the Housing Act 1985.  Local Housing Market Assessments are a crucial part of the evidence base for preparing Local Development Plans and Local Housing Strategies. 

·         This LHMA has identified the potential need for 468 affordable homes per year over the next five years.  This number can be further broken down as:

-           Social rent need                               102

-           Low cost homeownership need    284

-           Intermediate rent need                    82

-           Total need                                         468

·         It is important to note that these figures are not an annual delivery target as new build homes are not the total solution to the supply of affordable homes in the County.  The Council’s target remains 960 affordable homes (96 per year) over the period of the Local Development Plan (LDP) 2011 – 2021.

·         Housing’s Private Sector Housing Team has established a new lettings agency, Monmouthshire Lettings Service (MLS), and is working with private sector landlords to increase the availability of units for private rent whilst also trying to bring empty properties back into use.  Monmouthshire’s shared housing service, which offers accommodation for single persons, also comes under the MLS banner.

Member Scrutiny:

·         Social rents are set by the Welsh Government. Intermediate rent is a rent that is above social rent but below market rent. In Monmouthshire, intermediate rent is below Local Housing Allowance.

·         At the bottom of each table identify what the acronyms are.

·         This document links in with the emerging Local Development Plan (LDP). The figure of 468 affordable homes per year is challenging as only 250 homes in total are currently being built per year (market and affordable homes).

·         Some of the people who do not appear on Monmouthshire’s housing register, as they have moved to a neighbouring county where properties are cheaper, are in the 20 – 40 year old category.  For economic and demographic purposes, there are the people that the Authority should be trying to retain in the County.

·         However, the strengths of the County are that it is a pleasant place to live and easily accessible by car. The turnover of affordable housing being relatively low, in terms of community cohesion, is positive. However, this is not good for people on the waiting list for housing.

·         The backlog of housing need is an issue for all local authorities.

·         Affordable housing means housing that people cannot access on the open market and therefore require assistance. It incorporates social rent, intermediate rent and low cost ownership.

·         The Adults Select Committee and the Economy and Development Select Committee could provide a steer with regard to affordable housing and how this will be taken forward in the next LDP.

·         Empty properties on the high street could be altered and utilised to provide social rented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.