Decisions

Background
The changing landscape of the housing market is a national issue. House prices are on the rise, private sector rent levels are increasing and the gap between Local Housing Allowance rates at their frozen levels is forcing non-working tenants and households on low incomes out of the market. This is placing increasing demand on council housing, which is fast becoming the tenure of choice for many but with less than a fifth of housing stock in the borough being council housing demand far outweighs supply. All this with the cost of living crisis and the post COVID challenges is putting immense pressure on the home options service and homelessness approaches have steadily increased over the last two years and reached unprecedented and unmanageable levels. The service needs a full review to respond to the challenges, upstream prevention activity, engage and improve access into the private rented sector, achieve the Government rough sleeper targets and deliver the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. This work needs to dovetail into other important agendas for the borough such as Anti-Poverty, Health and Wellbeing and Domestic Abuse.
A key decision was taken on 28th April 2022 by the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Business to delegate allocation of the Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG) to the to the Director of Public Health and Assistant Director of Finance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Business; and, to delegate acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI) funding to the Director of Public Health and Assistant Director of Finance. The key decision report outlined the background as follows:-
- The Government is committed to ending rough sleeping in this parliament and to fully enforce the Homelessness Reduction Act. Two critical elements to support local authorities in achieving the Government’s manifesto commitment are the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) and Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG) funding streams.
- The Council has submitted a funding application to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for a three-year award for RSI funding (2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25). The funding award (once confirmed by DLUHC) will enable the continuation of a range of interventions as well as the implementation of new initiatives to support rough sleepers and those at risk of sleeping rough in Doncaster.
- Like other local authorities, the Council has also been allocated HPG funding (of £764,215), which ensures local authorities are fully resourced to take action to prevent and tackle homelessness and continue to embed the changes required through implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act.
Rough Sleepers Initiative
Doncaster’s RSI application was successful and a total of £2,482,538 has been awarded for 2022/23 – 2024/25. The funding includes the following interventions:
a) Assessment hub provision within Wharf House hostel - additional staffing to support delivery of an ‘off the street offer’ for rough sleepers
b) Additional emergency accommodation requirements including to support winter planning reducing over the three year allocation
c) Housing First - additional staffing to support expansion plans in line with the strategic direction of travel
d) Complex Lives Alliance - funding of key posts within the Complex Lives team including MEAM workers and navigators
e) Private rented sector (PRS) initiatives including funding for PRS officers as well as a resettlement fund to support access into the PRS
f) Housing Solutions Team - funding of a number of posts within St Leger Homes to enhance the current homelessness preventative offer and seek accommodation solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness
g) Tenancy sustainment - staffing to support individuals in both supported and PRS accommodation
See attached Officer Decision Record for further information including, a breakdown of the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) awarded.

To allocate Rough Sleepers Initiative grant, Homelessness Prevention grant and COVID-19 emergency grant to support homelessness related activities across the Council and partners as detailed below.
To accept the terms and conditions associated with the Rough Sleepers Initiative funding.
To approve the payment of £1,001,457 to SLHD for the Home Options and Homelessness Services.

Additional capacity is required to support the commissioning elements of a number of strategies across the directorate to facilitate transformation and cost effective models of delivery. Support is also required for the transition by DCST into Doncaster Council with support for the novation of contracts.

To utilise funding identified through the Service Transformation Fund of £42,885 to provide additional temporary capacity to support the Commissioning function across the directorate:
1 year term FTE Commissioning Lead (Grade 9)

There are complex relationships between housing and mental health with the links between the two well-documented. Research has identified that approximately 1/3rd of social housing tenants have a mental health problem and ‘Mind’ also claim that one in three social housing tenants are unhappy with the place they live, exacerbating their mental health difficulties. Compared with the general population, people with mental health conditions are one and a half times more likely to live in rented housing, with greater uncertainty about how long they can remain in their current home.
Mental ill health is frequently cited as a reason for tenancy breakdown and housing problems are often given as a reason for a person being admitted, or readmitted, to inpatient care. During recent Doncaster locality workshops, mental health has been highlighted as a priority area within each locality.
According to the latest data, over 12,600 St Leger Homes tenants completed a Customer Profiling Questionnaire (CPQ). Of these, over 1,880 (14%) of tenants indicated that they suffered from mental health issues. Extrapolating this across all tenancies, this could mean at least 3,000 tenants with poor mental health. For Doncaster borough, this would equate to almost 55,000 people living in the borough having experienced some form of mental health condition.

- Approval is sought to fund 2 mental health practitioners to support housing and mental health support £80,554 per year for 2 years (£161,108) in total.
- To fund the proposed project from the Better Care Fund earmarked reserve

VAD has developed from a start-up charitable organisation with cooperative principles into an established voluntary community and faith sector infrastructure project. During the initial two
years funding through BCF there has been increased activity to improve communications, build partnerships and develop wider Team Doncaster representation.

To award Voluntary Action Doncaster £200,000 until May 2023 to support the voluntary community and faith sector as a cooperative approach and provide strong voice and representation, and a point of access for commissioning/ partnership working. The case for
change is to build on all the hard work and dedication of Voluntary Action Doncaster to aid them to support the VCFS out of the huge challenge, which COVID-19 has created, seeing many small grassroots organisations struggling to continue. It is recommended to utilise BCF funding in order to continue to support a cooperative led approach for the VCFS and to fund the Fairness and Inclusion Forum.

To fund the proposed project from the Better Care Fund earmarked reserve

See attached ODR for full details

Approved allocation of £151,021 from the Better Care Fund over a one year period to fund the below posts.

Strategic Change Manager – Intermediate Care (Home First): £69,368 (RDASH)

Project Support Manager: £41,653 (Doncaster CCG)

Neighbourhood Frailty Work: Project Management Support: £40,000 (Doncaster CCG)

The service provides 1:1 therapeutic counselling to children/ young people aged 7 – 18 years and parents/ carers of children and young people. Trainee Counsellors undertake work placements in partnership with associate Colleges and Universities with many trainee counsellors retained as volunteers on completion of work placements. There are established 2 referral routes across all 12 family hubs, serving every locality area with activity concentrating in
the central area due to demand for our services. Measurable benefits include increased capacity for young people with poor mental health, effective therapeutic sessions for issues such as self-harming resulting in reduced admissions to hospital and CAMHS referrals.

The decision being taken is to due to Doncaster having a significant shortfall of counselling support for children and young people, with waiting lists for NHS services such as child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) being 16 months on average, meaning children and young people are waiting too long to get their needs met and children need access to a more immediate response at the point of any crisis to look to prevent longer term mental health issues and ensure support is available.

This project aims to improve mental health provision by means of employing specially trained counsellors for children and young people under supervision of a clinical advanced practitioner, this allows for any referral into the service to have a more immediate response, ensuring a child or young person’s immediate wellbeing is prioritised as well as their longer term mental health needs.

This decision will be funded from the Better Care Fund earmarked reserve.

See attached ODR for full details

To approve the following applications for grant funding from the Members Ward Budget 2022/23.
a. Hexthorpe Positive Activities Group
Reference No: 02/DCF/WB22-23/Hex&BN
Supported By: Councillor G. Jones & Councillor Liu.
Cost: £186.72 (£93.36 x 2 Councillors)

b. Balby Chair Based Exercise Group
Reference No: 12/DCF/WB22-23/HBN&BS
Supported By: Councillor Healy, Councillor G. Jones, Councillor Liu &
Councillor Moran.
Cost: £170.00 (£42.50 x 4 Councillors)

c. Armthorpe Community Library - Kids Club
Reference No: 13/DCF/WB22-23/Arm
Supported By: Councillor Knowles
Cost: £319.00

d. Hatfield Main Heritage Trust
Reference No: 14/DCF/WB22-23/St&BD
Supported By: Councillor Stapleton
Cost: £1500.00

e. The Craft and the Curious
Reference No: 15/DCF/WB22-23/Ed&KS
Supported By: Councillor Nevett & Councillor Robinson
Cost: £249.60 (£124.80 x 2 Councillors)

See attached ODR for full details

To approve the following applications for grant funding from the Members Ward Budget 2022/23.

a. Thorne & Moorends Fitness For All
Reference No: 08/DCF/WB22-23/Th&Mo
Supported By: Councillor Houlbrook Cost: £200.00

b. DN7 Foodbank
Reference No: 09/DCF/WB22-23/St&BD
Supported By: Councillor Farmer Cost: £500.00

c. Mexborough Smile
Reference No: 10/DCF/WB22-23/Mex
Supported By: Councillor Gibbons Cost: £500.00

d. C/O Balby & Hexthorpe Community CIC
Reference No: 11/DCF/WB22-23/Cent
Supported By: Councillor Allen, Councillor L. Bluff, Councillor Cobby,
Councillor Elebuibon, Councillor Healy, Councillor G. Jones, Councillor Kearsley, Councillor Khan, Councillor Kidd, Councillor Liu, Councillor Moran, Councillor Muddiman-Rawlins & Councillor Shaw
Cost: £834.00 (£64.15 x 13 Councillors)

To comply with the Secretary of State’s Academy Orders and the approval of the academy trust ntransfer approved on 15 June 2022.

Further to the academy orders of the Regional Schools Commissioner issued on 15 June 2022 the Council is now required to execute all formal documentation necessary to complete an academy conversion for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School and St Peter's Catholic Primary School.

The schools will join the Trust The Hallam Schools' Partnership Academy Trust on 1 September 2022.

This decision record approves the appropriate instruction to the Council’s Legal section to complete and seal the appropriate documentation in order for the aTel.ove academy conversion.

See attached Officer Decision Record for full details

To procure and award a contract for a Home from Hospital Service for Doncaster. The Value of the service will be £97,628.00 per year for one year with an option to extend for 1 x 12 months, taking the potential contract value to £195,256.

The Home from Hospital scheme is included in the BCF (Better Care Fund) budget plan for 22/23 and is included in the Council’s 2022/23 budget report approved by full Council in March 2022.

There are complex relationships between housing and mental health with the links between the two well-documented. Research has identified that approximately 1/3rd of social housing tenants have a mental health problem and ‘Mind’ also claim that one in three social housing tenants are unhappy with the place they live, exacerbating their mental health difficulties. Compared with the general population, people with mental health conditions are one and a half times more likely to live in rented housing, with greater uncertainty about how long they can remain in their current home.
Mental ill health is frequently cited as a reason for tenancy breakdown and housing problems are often given as a reason for a person being admitted, or readmitted, to inpatient care. During recent Doncaster locality workshops, mental health has been highlighted as a priority area within each locality.
According to the latest data, over 12,600 St Leger Homes tenants completed a Customer Profiling Questionnaire (CPO). Of these, over 1,880 (14%) of tenants indicated that they suffered from mental health issues. Extrapolating this across all tenancies, this could mean at least 3,000 tenants with poor mental health. For Doncaster borough, this would equate to almost 55,000 people living in the borough having experienced some form of mental health condition.

To award the below project with the following grant funds:-
- Approval is sought to fund 2 mental health practitioners to support housing and mental health support £80,554 per year for 2 years (£161,108) in total.
- To fund the proposed project from the Better Care Fund earmarked reserve

The Travel Assistance Service has a number of upcoming changes and projects to oversee and implement during the 2022/23 Financial year. These include:

- Creation and implementation of a new Home to School Policy and the governance around this

- Creation and implementation of a new Dynamic Purchasing System Contract and the governance around this

- Embedding familiarising the new Synergy system and creating new ways of working following the change to this system at the end of February 2022

- Implementing a new system for procurement and invoicing and payments to contractors through a collaboration with ADAM Transport Systems and the associated governance.

Additionally this service has seen the number of pupils requiring specialised transport rise by 14% since the start of the COVID pandemic and over 25% during the past 5 years with a corresponding increase in workloads.

To utilise funding identified through the Service Transformation Fund of £53k To provide additional temporary capacity into the Travel Assistance Service in the form of:

- 1 year fixed term FTE Team Manager (Grade 8) April 2022 to March 2023

- 1 year fixed term FTE Transport Officer (Grade 5) April 2022 to March 2023

Due to Partners in Learning (PiL) ceasing trading, it became a priority to urgently transfer the remainder of the funding to another provider, in order to successfully complete the programme.

Empowering Minds partnered with PiL to support with the delivery of specific elements of this programme and are delivering wider projects and programmes for the OA. . Therefore, it seems appropriate for consistency of delivery to continue the programme through Empowering Minds, who will work with existing partners and schools to ensure a smooth handover and effective delivery.

To transfer £28,950 of the original grant award to Empowering Minds MAT/ Tranmoor Primary to support the continued delivery of the OA Reading and Writing CPD programme. This was was previously delivered (in part) by Partners in Learning (PiL).

This ODR is in response to PiL ceasing trading in March 2022. The original project cost was £80,000 and was approved previously. The above amount is to cover the delivery of the remainder of the programme, until the end of the academic year and will allow for the delivery of the remaining eight events, school visits, an evaluation and associated management and admin costs

See attached ODR for full details

To agree the new funding and structure of the Attendance and Pupil welfare service for the pilot beginning September 22; and

To agree, as part of this, to allocate the equivalent of 1 x FTE Education Welfare Officer Gde 7 to MASH.

See attached ODR for full details

The Department of Work and Pensions has announced the new grant scheme for Reducing Parental Conflict Local Grant for the period 2022 – 25. The grant is to support local authorities to further embed support to address parental conflict in their area, thereby improving outcomes for children. The grant follows on from the Reducing
Parental Conflict Workforce Development Grant of 2021 - 2022 and increases the funding and range of Reducing Parental Conflict activities that can be funded, in order for local authorities to make choices that fit their local requirements. The scheme will
run from April 2022 to March 2025.

See attached ODR for full details

To refurbish the current overnight provision at Oakland’s (8 bed unit) into 2 separate units:

1 x 4 bed short breaks overnight provision, and
1 x 3 bed home for children with disabilities to enable children to be brought back to the borough and/or provide capacity for future years.

The current Oakland’s premises require internal changes only and would not need planning permission and registration for the change of use.

See attached Officer Decision Record for full details

To utilise funding identified through the Service Transformation
Fund of £60k to provide additional temporary capacity into the Travel Assistance Service, in the form of:
• 1 year fixed term FTE Team Manager (grade 8) April 2021 to Mar 2022
• 1 year fixed term 1 FTE Transport Officer (grade 5) April 2021 to Mar 2022