To consider approval and capital and revenue funding to provide four ‘Amazing Grace’ style accommodation pods, in order to provide a safe place for people that would otherwise be sleeping rough in the locality of Skegness.

N.B.  APPENDIX A IS EXEMPT.

1)That provision of four ‘Amazing Grace’ style accommodation pods for people that may otherwise need to sleep rough within the locality of Skegness, as set out in this report be approved.

2)That the Deputy Chief Executive – Communities in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing be delegated authority to agree the specific location of the siting of such pods within the locality of Skegness.

3) That an amendment to the Council’s 2024/25 capital programme to include £70k for the provision of four pods and the allocation of a £10k revenue budget to be used as a contingency fund, both funded from reserves be agreed.

A report was presented to seek approval and capital and revenue funding to provide four ‘Amazing Grace’ style accommodation pods, in order to provide a safe place for people that would otherwise be sleeping rough in the locality of Skegness.

During his introduction of the report, the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing highlighted that the number of homeless clients and specifically people who were sleeping rough continued to rise across the district.  A large percentage of these clients were classed as non-priority need and for varying, often complex reasons, were unable to be accommodated within current temporary or nightly paid accommodation in the locality.  This often resulted in people sleeping rough for long periods of time.

The purpose of the report was to seek approval and capital and revenue funding to provide four ‘Amazing Grace’ style accommodation pods, in order to provide a safe place for people that would otherwise be sleeping rough in the locality of Skegness.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing asked that his thanks to the Housing Strategy and Enabling Officer be noted for the huge amount of work undertaken on this project.

The Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership informed Members that this was the first endeavour that the Council was taking in terms of this type of accommodation.  It was considered a good step forward in terms of a really complex cohort but this provided a good offer for people trying to get back on the housing pathway.

The Leader of the Council highlighted that the siting of the accommodation pods would be critical and asked that once the locations had been agreed that Ward Members be informed of any progress.  He added that a lot of excellent work from officers had been undertaken in respect of homelessness and the challenges faced was recognised both locally and nationally.

The Portfolio Holder for Partnerships stated that this project was a fantastic asset to East Lindsey and there would also be wrap around services for those making use of the pods.  Homelessness was a very complicated issue and no one should sit in judgement and everyone should be aware of what was going on in the district.  She further asked that her thanks be passed to all the officers who worked in the homelessness team for the incredible service they provided.

In conclusion, the Leader of the Council acknowledged that homelessness was a very complex issue and the accommodation pods were a step that could help to alleviate the challenges and appreciated the commitment put into this initiative.

RESOLVED

1)That provision of four ‘Amazing Grace’ style accommodation pods for people that may otherwise need to sleep rough within the locality of Skegness, as set out in this report be approved.

2)That the Deputy Chief Executive – Communities in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing be delegated authority to agree the specific location of the siting of such pods within the locality of Skegness.

3) That an amendment to the Council’s 2024/25 capital programme to include £70k for the provision of four pods and the allocation of a £10k revenue budget to be used as a contingency fund, both funded from reserves be agreed.

Reasons

1)              To assist in meeting the needs of homeless households; specifically, people who are sleeping rough within the locality of Skegness.

2)              To provide emergency accommodation for people who are sleeping rough.

3)              To be better able to manage the risks posed by some people who sleep rough who are unsuitable for traditional accommodation.

4)              To create an opportunity to engage and support people that are sleeping rough, providing the first step towards changing entrenched behaviours.

Other Options

Do nothing - In this event the authority would not proceed with the purchase of the pods. As a consequence, the expected benefits set out in the Reasons for Recommendations section of this report would not be realised.

Alternative pods

Officers considered a range of options on the types of pods that are available. Following a thorough options appraisal and evaluation of several pod styles, taking account of cost, size, infrastructure requirements, management implications and general suitability, the preferred Amazing Grace style pod option set out in the report has been brought forward for Member consideration. The option to acquire an alternative pod style could be considered.