(a)          Housing Assistance Policy

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Lowe seconded, the recommendation from Cabinet.  The report sought approval of the Housing Assistance Policy.

Resolved:  That, subject to amendments to the Hospital Discharge Grant (HDG) to include ‘the repair or buying of furniture’ which would include within Registered Social Landlord Properties, the proposed Housing Assistance Policy be approved in order to ensure increased funding provided via the Better Care Fund is delivered to those who have not previously been able to obtain financial assistance; and to update the criteria for the Council’s own discretionary financial assistance.

(b)         West Kent Homelessness Strategy

The report sought adoption of the new West Kent Homelessness Strategy.

Councillor Lowe drew attention to paragraph 8 of the report, that advised that a further paragraph was to be added to the Strategy in response to feedback on care leavers.

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Lowe seconded, the recommendation from Cabinet with this addition. 

Resolved:  That the West Kent Homelessness Strategy be adopted, subject to the following paragraph being added to page 26 of the Strategy

‘Care leavers, of which Kent has a disproportionately large number, are a particularly vulnerable group. Kent County Council has duties under the Leaving Care Act 2000 towards eligible, relevant and former relevant children and young people and has a statutory duty to ensure that all such young people who meet the criteria for services as care leavers are placed in suitable accommodation when leaving care, transitioning to adulthood.

In response to this, we must work in partnership with Kent County Council’s 18+ Care Leaver Service to find the best solutions for Care Leavers; This may require exploring more creative options including shared accommodation where suitable and appropriate.’

(c)          Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2018/19

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Scholey seconded, the recommendation from Cabinet.  The report set out a proposed revision to the existing Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme.

Resolved:  That

a)     the outcome of the public consultation, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be noted;

b)     responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty and potential impacts of the proposed change on working age claimants with the protected characteristics of disability, age and sex, as set out in the Equality Impact Assessment in Appendix B to the report be noted; and

c)   the current CTR scheme be amended as follows and adopted to take effect from 1 April 2018:

i)  That a self-employed applicant and/or his/her self-employed partner who is in receipt of the Personal Independence Payment (standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component) or Disability Living Allowance (middle or high rate of the care component) or Armed Forces Independence Payments be made exempt from the Minimum Income Floor.

(d)         Affordable Housing Company

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Lowe seconded, the recommendation from Cabinet.  The report sought authority to progress the proposal to set up an Affordable Housing Company.

Resolved:  That

a)    it be noted that expert external advice to develop a comprehensive business case to deliver Members ambition for the Council to develop its own affordable housing within the District has been commissioned;

b)    subject to a sound business case being established, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to incorporate a standalone Affordable Housing Company first taking detailed advice and assistance from specialist external lawyers on the delivery model and set-up process;  

c)    the broad governance and funding arrangements as set out in the report be noted;

d)    delegated authority be given to the Portfolio Holders for Finance, Housing & Health and Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer and Head of Legal and Democratic Services to settle the detailed arrangements for the establishment of the company; and

e)   in the event that a sound business case to deliver affordable housing through an affordable housing company cannot be established Officers report back to Members setting out further options to deliver on Members ambition to develop its own affordable housing within the District.

(e)          Christmas Parking 2017

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Lowe seconded, the recommendation from Cabinet.  The report sought funding for free parking being provided for two weekends leading up to Christmas, on Saturdays and Sundays, 9 & 10 and 16 & 17 December 2017.

Resolved:  That the cost in terms of lost income for free Christmas parking be funded from a supplementary estimate.