Here's a summary of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee meeting:

The Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee convened to discuss key issues impacting the Richmond community, including homelessness, social housing, safeguarding, and public health, and approved recommendations for the Care Technology Strategy and the Integrated Sexual Health Service Procurement. The committee also reviewed reports on homelessness, social housing improvements, safeguarding, complaints, and budget monitoring.

Homelessness Forecast and Rehousing Resources

The committee addressed the pressing issue of homelessness, approving the Homelessness Forecasts and Rehousing Resources and Lettings Plan for 2025/26. Key discussion points included:

• Increase in Homelessness: Applications for homelessness assistance have increased by 15%, with a 64% rise in net admissions to temporary accommodation.
• Main Causes: Domestic abuse and violence, exclusion from family and friends, and loss of private rented sector housing are the primary drivers of homelessness.
• Temporary Accommodation: While use of bed and breakfast accommodation remains low, overall temporary accommodation usage has increased.
• Prevention Efforts: The council exceeded its rehousing target but fell short on homeless preventions.
• Rough Sleeper Hub: The new Rough Sleeper Hub in Clapham Junction is set to open in late autumn, offering integrated support services.
• Financial Implications: Concerns were raised about a £2 million overspend in quarter one, attributed to rising homelessness costs.
• Domestic Violence: Councillor Clare Vollum, Deputy Mayor and Dementia Champion, questioned whether enough was being done to prevent homelessness due to domestic violence, suggesting the victim is too often the one who has to move.
• Community Question: A question was raised by a member of the public, Pan Merriman, regarding the lack of affordable housing as a fundamental cause of homelessness, and the delay in publishing information about the strategic link between affordable housing, homelessness and temporary housing.

The committee approved recommendations to address these challenges, including setting affordable rents for the Rough Sleeper Hub.

Social Housing Improvement Plans

The committee heard presentations from Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) and PA Housing regarding their Social Housing Improvement Plans.

Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing

Angie Banton, Head of Housing for South London and South East at MTVH, presented the MTVH Social Housing Improvement Plan. Key discussion points included:

• Antisocial Behaviour (ASB): Councillor Paulina Vassileva, Tenants’ Champion, noted the increasing complexity of ASB cases and its impact on resolution times.
• Repairs: A community ambassador raised concerns about the timing and repetition of repairs.
• Ombudsman Complaints: Councillor Vollum questioned the high number of ombudsman complaints.
• Tenant Satisfaction: Satisfaction scores and repair completion rates have decreased year on year.
• In-house Repairs: Satisfaction with repairs increased significantly after bringing the repair service in-house in the Thames Valley.

PA Housing

Charles Ellis presented the PA Housing Social Housing Improvement Plan. Key discussion points included:

• ASB: Councillor Vassileva inquired about the impact of increasingly complex ASB cases on PA Housing's ability to resolve them promptly.
• Community Ambassadors: A community ambassador expressed concerns about the lack of promotion of community ambassadors by neighbourhood co-ordinators.
• Damp and Mould: Councillor asked about a case of severe damp and mould that had not been resolved.
• Neighbourhood Co-ordinators: Councillor raised concerns about the high turnover of neighbourhood co-ordinators.
• Repairs: Councillor Millard asked about plans for improving the repair service.
• Victim-Centred Approach: Councillor Margaret Dane asked what PA Housing is actually doing differently with its victim-centred approach to ASB.
• Lack of Maintenance Representation: Councillor Varley noted that neighbourhood co-ordinators have expressed feeling let down by the lack of repair representatives at on tour events.
• Unfollowed Policies: Councillor Cooley spoke on behalf of residents who wished to remain anonymous, stating that PA policies were not being followed on their estate.

Adult Social Services Statutory Complaints Report

Nancy Carissa, Corporate Statutory Complaints Manager, presented the Adult Social Services Statutory Complaints Report 2024-25, highlighting a modest increase in formal complaints and the department's commitment to learning from them. Councillor Bennett inquired about how the learning from complaints is being embedded in the way the council works. The committee noted the report.

Q1 Quarterly Monitoring Report

Sandra Burry presented the Q1 Quarterly Monitoring Report, outlining a £2.023 million overspend, largely due to homelessness services. Councillor Allen inquired about potential pressures in quarter two for adult social care. Councillor Hale asked about the cessation of trading by an existing contract provider, and the delay in signing funding agreements for residential acquisitions. The committee noted the report.

Care Technology Strategy in Adult Social Care

Claire Tew presented the Care Technology Strategy in Adult Social Care, outlining plans to mainstream care technology to support independent living. Councillor Shea sought clarification on the novel elements of the strategy. Councillor Fessler raised concerns about inherent biases in new technologies and the need for human oversight. Councillor Dane expressed concerns about digital exclusion and the resilience of equipment. The committee approved the strategy.

Integrated Sexual Health Service Procurement

Leah Seba presented the Integrated Sexual Health Service Procurement Report, seeking approval for a joint procurement with Wandsworth, Merton, and Sutton. Councillor Shea inquired about the objectives of the new strategy and the in-borough clinic. The committee approved the joint procurement.

Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy Progress Update

Dr Ramir Ravindane and Graham Marpa provided a progress update on the Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy. Councillor Shea asked about specific needs and challenges in reaching middle-aged men. Councillor Holland suggested including statistics on suicide rates of menopausal and perimenopausal women. Councillor Bennett inquired about the trauma of those who witness suicides. The committee noted the progress made on the strategy.

Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report

The Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024-25 was presented. Councillor Bennett inquired about the increase in concerns and inquiries. Councillor Dane raised concerns about care homes. The committee noted and received the report.

Appointments to Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The committee appointed Councillor Hale and Councillor O’Shea to the South West London & Surrey Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and Councillor Vollum to the North West London Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed and approved the work programme.