Agenda and minutes

To issue a welcome to those present, and to confirm if there are any apologies for absence.

It was noted that apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mahesh and Councillor Gregg. Councillor Kitterick substituted for Councillor Gregg.

Members will be asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

The Chair asked members to declare any interests in proceedings. It was noted that Councillor Kitterick originally called in the decision but was now taking place of a member of the commission.

An Executive decision taken by the Deputy City Mayor for Housing, Economy, and Neighbourhoods on 22 May 2025 relating to the response to recommendations of an LGSCO Maladministration report has been the subject of a 6-member call-in under the procedures at Rule 12 of Part 4D, City Mayor and Executive Procedure Rules, of the Council’s Constitution.

The Commission is recommended to either:

a)    Note the report without further comment or recommendation. (If the report is noted the process continues and the call in will be considered at a future meeting of Full Council); or

b)    Comment on the specific issues raised by the call-in. (If comments are made the process continues and the comments and call in will be considered at a future meeting of Full Council); or

c)    Resolve that the call-in be withdrawn (If the committee wish for there to be no further action on the call-in, then they must actively withdraw it. If withdrawal is agreed the call-in process stops, the call-in will not be considered at a future meeting of Full Council and the original decision takes immediate affect without amendment).

The Monitoring Offer submitted a report informing the Commission that the Executive decision, taken by the Assistant City Mayor for Housing on 22 May 2025 relating to responses to two of the seven recommendations in the LGSCO Maladministration Report. This had been the subject of a 6-member call-in under the procedures at Rule 12 of Part 4D, City Mayor and Executive Procedure Rules, of the Council’s Constitution.

The Chair invited the proposer of the call-in, Councillor Kitterick, to present the reasons for the call in. This was deferred to the seconder of the call-in, Councillor Porter and the following points were raised:

• Where the Council had been found at fault in cases of maladministration, it should be reported to Full Council and this was recommended in the LGSCO report.
• Under law, when a household was made homeless, they should only be in Bed and Breakfast accommodation for 6 weeks which was exceeded.
• When temporary accommodation was provided, the tenant should be advised of their right to appeal and the Council failed to do this.
• The complainant identified a property in the private sector that was suitable and would remove them from temporary accommodation. The Council failed to respond initially and then responded stating it would be too expensive.
• The cost of keeping a family in Bed and Breakfast accommodation compared to the cost of using Private Rented Accomodation was questioned.
• It was acknowledged that there had been a housing crisis, however it was not acceptable for individuals and households to be in the situation of Ms X.
• It was queried whether every option had been explored by the Council to avoid injustice.
• It was noted that its rare for a case to be taken to this level and be considered by the Ombudsmen.

The Chair invited the Deputy City Mayor for Housing, Economy and Neighbourhoods and Director of Housing to respond. As part of this, the Housing Head of Service and Head of Law provided a presentation, and the following points were noted:

• There was unprecedented demand for housing and the numbers who presented as homeless.
• The national picture of housing and homelessness needed to be considered as context for the consideration of the complaint.
• The report dated back to January 2023- May 2024.
• Compliance with all the recommendations was considered, but respectfully declined to comply with the two noted.
• The key findings from the report which were acknowledged, included
  • Failure to send appropriate communications delays in accepting main housing duty when relief duty expired.
  • Failure to notify the customer of their statutory right to request a review of the accommodation provided.
  • Delays in responding to the customers concern around suitability of accommodation and offering alternative accommodation.
  • Failure to move customer to self-contained accommodation after six weeks in B&B accommodation.
• The Council was found not to be at fault in relation to its initial decision to place Ms x in a refuge and the help to secure Private Rented Accommodation.
• Recommendations that have been actioned from the report include:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 18.35.