Agenda item

(To receive a report from Councillor William Gray, Chair of the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group and Sean Johnson, Programme Manager – Public Health, which provides the Board with an update on the progress being made on the Housing and Health priority)   

Consideration was given to a report from Councillor William Gray, Chair of the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group and Sean Johnson, Programme Manager – Public Health, which provided the Board with an update on the progress being made on the Housing and Health priority.

The Chairman invited Councillor Gray, Chair of the Carers Delivery Group and Sean Johnson, Programme Manager, Public Health, to present the item to the Board.

The Board were reminded of the background to the priority and the three main areas of focus for the Housing Health and Care Delivery Group; housing intelligence; the good hub and one stop shop for aids, equipment, and adaptations; the Better Care Fund, Disabled Facilities Grant funding; local energy advice; and the Lincolnshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy.

During consideration of this item, some of the following comments were noted:

·       That a Healthy Homes Assessment was currently being trialed by frontline practitioners.  It was noted that currently there were two versions of the form, a lengthy one for completion by a resident, and a shorter version that could be completed by frontline workers.  It was noted that work was ongoing building up the information to support the hub and once that was completed the assessment would go live for members of the public to complete.  Confirmation was provided that once trialed, the information gathered would be shared widely with partners, as would training relating to the completion of the questionnaire.  Confirmation was provided that the trial was due to finish by April 2024;

·       Congratulations were extended to members of Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group for the progress made.  There was also recognition that there was still more to do, with particular reference being made to the Lincolnshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy;

·       Some concern was raised regarding the lack of accommodation available for those in need.  The Board noted that early intervention was key, and that work was ongoing with partners to make that happen;

·       The Board was advised that with regard to Scampton, questions were being raised with the Home Office and would continue to be raised to obtain some clarity regarding concerns raised by district councils and the county council;

·       Some concern was raised regarding the government’s de-carbonisation agenda and the effect that would have on some residents in the county. The Board noted that there was a raft of government grants available, but it was highlighted that these did not extend to replacements for gas and oil boilers.  It was noted further that issues affecting residents on the ground would be fed back to the government as part of the housing intelligence function.  Some members also highlighted that there was a need to lobby local MPs to make them aware of the potential issues that would be affecting Lincolnshire residents; and

·       Confirmation was provided that Lincolnshire had a comprehensive multi-agency approach to hoarding, and that further guidance was available on the council’s website.

RESOLVED

That the good progress being made on the current workstream for the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group be noted.