Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 11th June, 2026 7.00 pm - Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint two Vice-Chairmen of the Committee for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED: That Cllrs. Kevin Betsworth and Steve Harden be appointed as Vice-Chairmen of the Committee for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 24th February, 2026 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 24th February, 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive a presentation from Suzannah Hellicar, Service Manager – Housing, Zoe Paine, Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager, Jermaine Pinto, Housing Options Manager and Charlotte Redpath, Housing Support Team Leader, on the current position relating to the Council’s Homes for All: Quality Living, Affordable Housing priority as set out in the Council Delivery Plan 2026-28.

The Housing Service Performance Data for Quarter 4 is attached for your reference.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Property, Cllr Keith Dibble, will be in attendance to answer Members’ questions.

Officers provided a presentation which reported on progress with the Homes for All priority as set out in the Council Delivery Plan.

·       Work with local social housing providers to encourage them to offer local tenants a good, consistent service and decent social homes – It was noted that the Council had recently established a Housing Oversight Group which aimed to give Members a better understanding of issues round social housing. Alongside this Group, the Council’s executive officers and the Cabinet Member met with key providers, as required, to discuss business model objectives at a strategic level.

The Committee were also informed of an electronic library of information on each social housing provider, which was available for them to view through the Members SharePoint.

·       Encourage the development of new and affordable homes on brownfield land–The Committee noted that a Rushmoor Brownfield Land Register had been published in December, 2025. It was advised that, 1,465 homes were already in the pipeline, 65% of which would be realised from the Civic Quarter proposals. The Planning Policy and Development Management teams worked with developers to ensure compliant schemes were brough forward, however few large opportunities were forthcoming.

With regard to affordable housing, it was noted that the target, which had been met, was for 150 home per year with a healthy trajectory for 2026/27. The affordable homes delivery consisted of one and two bed flats and two, three and four bed houses.

·       Provide good quality temporary and supported accommodation – It was reported that the Council had 64, units of hostel accommodation ran by the Society of St James, which were mainly self-contained with the exception of nine units in a hostel in Farnborough. Clayton Court was the largest site,housing up to 42 households, and offered support and security on site. The Private Sector Housing Team inspected the accommodation to ensure good standards and address any complaints.

It was noted that, on occasion, accommodation needed to be provided  through bed and breakfast establishments. In these circumstances the Council used Travelodge of similar local establishments. The cost to use this type of accommodation was £181,705 (gross), £138,832 (net after housing benefit offset).

·       Intervene to improve the quality of private rented sector homes in the borough, which do not meet acceptable living standards – It was noted that the Council had a duty to protect tenants and enforce standards in the private rented sector. These responsibilities and powers had increased since the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act in May 2026. The Act had been the biggest change in the last 30 years and secured more rights for renters and more accountability for landlords. The Housing Team aimed to work with landlords, through the Landlords Forum by introducing a series of training events to assist with compliance with the Act.

·       Make it easier to understand how council allocates social housing – The Committee noted that a review was currently underway on how applicants on the housing register with health issues were assessed and how the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive an overview of rough sleeping in the Borough and the support offered to vulnerable rough sleepers.

The Committee received a presentation from Charlotte Redpath, Housing Support Team Leader, which provided an overview of rough sleeping and the support offered to vulnerable rough sleepers in the Borough.

The Committee were advised of the difference between rough sleepers, those bedding down on the street, and the street attached, those with a history of rough sleeping but who were no longer bedding down on the street but were housed in appropriate accommodation for their needs. It was also noted that three times a week the outreach team were out carrying out checks, responding to needs and patrolling regular hotspots. The Team had access to a platform (streetlink) that allowed people to report sightings of rough sleepers, and Members were encouraged to promote StreetLink with their residents to ensure no delay in responding to incidents of rough sleeping.

It was noted that the team reported figures of rough sleepers on a set day per month. On average, the single night figure for the Borough had been three rough sleepers and six-eight rough sleepers per month, the numbers were considered low, but the individuals sleeping rough frequently changed during the month. The Committee noted that there was a core group of rough sleepers with long-term re-occurring issues – intervention with these individuals was always quick and support was ongoing.

During the period, January - June 2026, the Committee noted that fourteen rough sleepers had be re-housed. The team were also supporting 57 individuals, who had been placed in accommodation, through long-term and brief interventions as required.

In response to a query, it was noted that not everyone was entitled to housing support, each case was individually tested and certain groups, including those with children, pregnant women or victims of domestic abuse, were given priority need. In some cases, accommodation was provided but not sustained by the individual as a result of behaviours relating to drugs and alcohol use.

The Committee were advised of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) which gave all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, access to accommodation in extreme hot or cold temperatures. SWEP also gave officers and partners the opportunity to engage further with individuals not willing to engage under normal circumstances.

A request was made for an All Member Briefing from the Housing Team, and arrangements would be made for this to take place later in the year.

ACTION:

(1)  Agenda Preparation Group

To appoint the Membership of the Agenda Preparation Group. The Group will include the Chair (Cllr Halleh Koohestani), the Vice-Chairs and one Labour Group Member.

(2)  Council Tax Support

To appoint the Membership of the Council Tax Support Task and Finish Group for 2026/27.This Group requires that the Membership includes either the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Committee. Nominations received will be tabled at the meeting.

(3)  Housing Oversight Group

To appoint the Membership of the Housing Oversight Group for 2026/27. Nominations received will be tabled at the meeting.

RESOLVED: That the following Members be appointed to serve on the following Groups for the 2026/27 Municipal Year:

(1)  Agenda Preparation Group 

(2)  Council Tax Support Task and Finish Group

(3)  Housing Oversight Group

Group Leaders would be contacted following the meeting to fill the remianing spaces on the Council Tax Support Group and Housing Oversight Group.

To consider the Work Plan for the 2026/27 Municipal Year (copy attached).

The Committee noted the current work plan and the 2025/26 work plan for reference. It was noted that should any Members wish to have an item considered for scrutiny by the Committee they should advise the Committee Administrator.

The meeting on 16 July, 2026 would be re-scheduled due to the Wellington By-Election being held on the same day, a new date was being sought and Members would be advised in due course.