Agenda item - West Sussex Health and Care in Housing Memorandum of Understanding

Housing Portfolio

To consider report SHAP/80 of the Head of Strategic Housing Services, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 8 March 2021.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a) endorses and agrees the development of a local health, housing and social care MOU based on the priorities for action set out in 6.5 of report SHAP/80, drawn from existing Council strategies.

b) delegates authority to the Head of Strategic Housing Services to act as signatory to the MOU and any associated protocols arising from it on the Council’s behalf and to approve any revisions required to ensure it continues to reflect the Council’s priorities.

(Generic Delegation 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).

Reasons for the Recommendations

Historically achieving the effective engagement of health service partners in addressing the often complex needs of those trying either to access accommodation or to sustain their existing accommodation has proved challenging.

A clear and shared understanding of a set of key commitments by health, social care and housing partners to address the greatest needs across local communities would complement, support and work alongside existing strategies, including the Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleepers Strategy, in delivering improved outcomes and preventing and relieving homelessness.

The development of a local Health, Social Care and Housing MOU provides a reset opportunity for our relationship with health partners and a platform for improved engagement.

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented report SHAP/80of the Head of Strategic Housing Services which sought endorsement for a proposal for local NHS partners to work together with West Sussex Local Authorities to develop a local agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU would form a statement of ambition and intent for future working and collaboration between health, housing and social care in planning for and meeting need at a local level.

Councillor Irvine commented that what the MOU did finally was to acknowledge that there was a clear link between poor housing and poor health and the only way to address this was with a joined-up approach. It was noted that there are 6 needs assessment, as shown in Section 6.5 of the report SHAP/80, including tackling rough sleeping, that the MOU would be focusing upon. It was acknowledged that the MOU was the first step in a long process, but an important first step of the joint approach.

Councillor T Belben presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report OSC/294 to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 8 March 2021, which included:

· The Commission being pleased that the MOU would provide an opportunity to challenge rough sleeping in a sustained way and encourage agencies to provide support.

· That the MOU would provide a platform to engage with health services and providers to address the previous difficult challenges relating to mental health services and providing effective support long term.

Councillors Mullins also spoke on as part of the discussion on the report.

Councillor Lamb moved the report which was seconded by Councillor Irvine and in doing so thanked the Strategic Housing Team for the work it had done during the pandemic especially regarding rough sleepers.

A recorded vote was taken on the recommendations in accordance with the Council’s Virtual Committee Procedure Rules. The names of the Councillors voting for and against the recommendations, along with any abstentions, are recorded as set out below:

For the recommendations:

Councillors Irvine, Jhans, Lamb, Mullins, B Smith and P Smith (6)

Against the recommendations:

None.

Abstentions: