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Scrutiny Committee - Adults and Health - Thursday, 9th October, 2025 10.00 am

October 9, 2025 View on council website

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Summary

The Scrutiny Committee - Adults and Health of Somerset Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday, 9 October 2025, to discuss several key issues, including homelessness, housing, and budget monitoring. The committee will review the Somerset Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy Action Plan, consider the terms of reference for a new Housing Task and Finish Group, and discuss the latest budget update for Adult Services and Housing. Additionally, the committee will receive an update on temporary accommodation in the area.

Somerset Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy Action Plan

The committee is scheduled to discuss and comment on the Somerset Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy Action Plan. The report pack includes several documents related to this strategy, including the Item 6 Somerset Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy Action Plan, Item 6a Somerset Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy Action Plan, and Item 6b Rough Sleeping Action Plan. The committee will be asked to note the contents of a presentation on the strategy and agree to receive progress updates every six months.

The strategy likely addresses the council's approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in the Somerset area. The report pack states that the aim is to:

consider and comment on the Somerset Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy Action Plan, and agree to receive progress updates six monthly.

Temporary Accommodation Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on temporary accommodation, as detailed in the Item 9 Temporary Accommodation - update. Temporary accommodation is housing offered to people who are homeless while they find a permanent place to live1.

Housing Task and Finish Group - Terms of Reference

The meeting will include a review and endorsement of the draft Terms of Reference for a Housing Task and Finish Group, as detailed in the Housing Task and Finish Group draft Terms of reference. Task and Finish Groups are short-term working groups set up to focus on specific issues2. The purpose of this group is not stated in the report pack.

Adult and Health Budget Monitoring

The committee is scheduled to note and discuss the Adult Services and Housing budget update. Financial oversight is a key responsibility of scrutiny committees, ensuring that public funds are used effectively and efficiently3. The report pack includes the Q1 Appendix A - Adult Services document, which likely contains detailed financial information for the committee to review.

Work Programme

The committee will discuss its work programme, referring to the Scrutiny Adult and Health Committee Work Plan October 2025. The work programme outlines the topics and issues the committee plans to address in the coming months. The committee can also view the latest Somerset Council Forward Plans and Somerset Council Executive Forward Plan for planned key decisions.


  1. Temporary accommodation can include hostels, B&Bs, and self-contained flats. 

  2. Task and Finish Groups are often composed of councillors and experts, and are used to investigate issues and make recommendations. 

  3. Scrutiny committees examine budget performance, identify potential risks, and ensure that spending aligns with the council's priorities. 

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorClaire Sully
Councillor Claire Sully  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorJohn Bailey
Councillor John Bailey  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorBen Ferguson
Councillor Ben Ferguson  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorEdric Hobbs
Councillor Edric Hobbs  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorTony Robbins
Councillor Tony Robbins  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorLucy Trimnell
Councillor Lucy Trimnell  Opposition Lead Member for Adult Services, Housing and Homelessness •  Conservative
Profile image for CouncillorDerek Perry
Councillor Derek Perry  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorSue Osborne
Councillor Sue Osborne  Opposition Lead Member for Transformation, Human Resources and Localities •  Conservative
Profile image for CouncillorAndy Kendall
Councillor Andy Kendall  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorLiz Leyshon
Councillor Liz Leyshon  Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance •  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorGraham Oakes
Councillor Graham Oakes  Lead Member for Public Health, Climate Change and Environment •  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorFran Smith
Councillor Fran Smith  Associate Lead Member for Adult Social Care & Housing •  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorSarah Wakefield
Councillor Sarah Wakefield  Lead Member for Adults Services, Housing and Homelessness •  Liberal Democrat

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet 09th-Oct-2025 10.00 Scrutiny Committee - Adults and Health.pdf

Reports Pack

Public reports pack 09th-Oct-2025 10.00 Scrutiny Committee - Adults and Health.pdf

Additional Documents

Public Guidance Notes for Committee.pdf
Councillor reminder for declaring interests.pdf
Scrutiny Adult and Health Committee Work Plan October 2025.pdf
Item 6 Somerset Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy Action Plan.pdf
Item 6a Somerset Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy Action Plan.pdf
Item 6b Rough Sleeping Action Plan.pdf
Q1 Appendix A - Adult Services.pdf
Item 9 Temporary Accommodation - update.pdf
Click here to join the online meeting.pdf
Housing Task and Finish Group draft Terms of reference.pdf
Minutes of Previous Meeting.pdf
Previous meeting minutes - additional information Community Hospital update.pdf