Issue - meetings

The committee has requested a briefing with regard to SWEP and this report seeks to provide a thorough overview regarding this very important and potentially lifesaving intervention.  Starting with some background and a description of the current SWEP arrangements and triggers, the report then moves on to discuss the wider offer that is in place all year round for those verified as rough sleeping in the BCP area. 

Following some detail regarding outcomes, the report then moves on to look at the protocol review process, including that taking place this year, and underway now,  which includes benchmarking with several other Local Authorities.

Finally the importance of partnership working in this area is discussed as well as looking at financial considerations.

The Lead Member for Homelessness presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these minutes in the Minute Book.  The Committee was provided with background and a description of the current SWEP arrangements and triggers, the report also discussed the wider offer in place all year round for those verified as rough sleeping in the BCP area. The report also outlined the review process for the protocol which was currently underway. There were a number of points raised in the subsequent discussion and responded to by the Portfolio Holder, Lead Member and Officers, including:

·       The trigger for SWEP when there was a severe weather warning in hot weather. It was noted that even if SWEP was not triggered, the outreach team would still be doing a lot of work to help those sleeping rough. However, the hot whether SWEP protocol was being looked at to ensure clarity.

·       It was noted that the Met Office weather report was used by the Council to identify when to trigger SWEP. There was a query as to whether there was any flexibility regarding this. It was noted that this would be picked up in the SWEP review this year, the current mandatory trigger for SWEP was 3 nights with temperatures below zero but there was a level of discretion around triggering this. The Council was also looking at other areas and their arrangements for triggering SWEP. Further work would take place with partners regarding the risk and experience of outreach.

·       There was now a mandatory trigger in place for amber and red weather warnings and the review of the SWEP protocol was looking to clarify some of the elements of discretion in triggering SWEP

·       The Committee was informed that a number of those accommodated remained inside following the SWEP period. These were people who had an offer of accommodation but for whatever reason had not taken up that offer. It was noted that this was not the ideal way for someone to be accommodated. However, sometimes people had not wanted to accept an offer initially but could then be brought in through SWEP if eligible.

·       There was a concern raised that the Committee had not been able to see the proposed protocol for the coming year, it was noted that there was still further work to be done to this.

·       Whether there was funding available or a possibility that people accommodated during SWEP could be provided with individual rooms rather than, sometimes less satisfactory, arrangements within communal halls.

The Portfolio Holder praised the partnership work that was underway on this issue. The Committee was informed that the comments from members today should help strengthen the protocol moving forward. The Officers working on SWEP were commended and it was noted had always taken the SWEP responsibility very seriously.

The meeting adjourned at 8.38pm and resumed at 8:45pm