Meeting documents

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture advised that the report requested funding towards the provision of a direct access hostel and related services for the very vulnerable.  She said homelessness had escalated nationally and the service was needed.

The Assistant Director (Health and Well-Being) reminded Members that as a consequence of SCC cuts to the Pathway for Adults (P4A) service they had agreed to support the service for one year in April 2016.  The arrangements had been successfully delivered, and, as the Government had deferred their decision on future funding until April 2019, it was proposed to support the service for the next two years. 

Mr Nick Watkins from the Pathway for Adults Hub (P4A) said the last year had been very productive.  There had been a spike in the number of young homeless people who they had helped with employment and training opportunities and self-esteem workshops.  He said the two year funding would provide security of employment for the staff and he invited Members to view the hostel in Newton Road. 

Ms Rachel Dyer from Yeovil for Families (Y4F) said they had started providing floating support for individuals at risk of homelessness in June 2016.  She said link works met with individuals once a week and they linked with drug and alcohol agencies for support.  Volunteer mentors also helped to build self-esteem.

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee thanked the Corporate Strategic Housing Manager for attending the Scrutiny Committee and explaining the report to them.  She said they had sought assurance that multi-agency solutions to addressing homelessness were being sought where appropriate and that that the scheme was effectively measured in terms of outcomes achieved particularly in the longer term. 

During discussion the following points were made:

·      Need to communicate to the public the service which the hostel provides for homeless people.

·      The public could be better directed to donate money to organisations providing support, food and shelter to the homeless rather than giving money to various people begging in the street.

·      It was better to give food and drinks to people on the street (who may or may not be actually homeless).

·      Local Councils could designate Public Space Protection Orders to control aggressive professional begging.

·      Need to do more to raise public awareness that homelessness is increasing.

At the conclusion of the debate, the Chairman thanked the officers from Pathway for Adults and Yeovil for Families for attending to provide information on their service.   Members were pleased to confirm the recommendations of the report.