Decision details

The Cabinet Member considered a report seeking authority to proceed with the formal consultation on the draft homelessness strategy.

Under the Homelessness Act 2002, Local Authorities were required to have a strategy in place to prevent and deal with homelessness. The strategy was not only for preventing homelessness but also for ensuring the availability of sufficient accommodation for people who were or could become homeless, and for securing the provision of satisfactory support for people who were or could become homeless or who had been homeless and needed support to prevent them becoming homeless again.

The Council, as local housing authority and social services authority, had to take its homelessness strategy into account in the exercise of its functions.

Before adopting a homelessness strategy the Council was required to consult such public or local authorities, voluntary organisations and/or other persons as it considered appropriate. The consultation period would be for 12 weeks. The strategy would be updated in the light of the consultation and would then be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

RESOLVED

That approval is given to proceed with the public consultation on the draft homelessness strategy for Cheshire East.