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HOMELESSNESS REVIEW COMMITTEE

14th July 2008

PRESENT: Councillors Mrs Brennand, Mrs Owen and Price.

Officers in Attendance: Housing Options Officer, Assistant Solicitor and Committee Services Officer.

MINUTES: 21st May 2008 - confirmed.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST:

The following member declared a personal interest in the item shown below:

Councillor Price  -  Minute 09/08 - Case One - Personal interest in that the applicant's parents lived in his Ward and he had provided advice in respect of homeless assistance.

Councillor Price  -  Minute 09/08 - Case One - Personal interest in that he was a Board Member of Housing Young People in Shrewsbury.

07/08 CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mrs Owen be appointed as Chairman of the Committee for this meeting.

08/08 EXEMPT ITEM

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of the remaining item on the grounds that it could involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

09/08 SPECIAL CASE

An exempt report by the Housing Options Team was submitted in respect of three cases requiring consideration.

In respect of Case One, the applicant, her partner and father were in attendance. In respect of Case Two, the meeting was adjourned between 7.15 pm and 7.35 pm to allow time for the applicant to attend. Following the adjournment, the applicant was still not in attendance, the Committee determined that the application be reviewed in the absence of the applicant. In respect of Case Three, the applicants were both in attendance.

The Council's Housing Options Officer presented her report to the Committee. The applicants were invited to submit verbal representations in support of their respective cases. In respect of Case Three, the applicant was also permitted to submit written representation. The applicants, the Council's Housing Options Officer, Assistant Solicitor and members of the Committee asked and answered questions regarding the cases. All parties withdrew from the room to allow the Committee to reach its decision. All parties were then recalled to be informed of the Committee's decision.

RESOLVED:

That the applicant referred to in column (1) be dealt with as indicated in column (2) below:

Case 1 (2667)

That the Officer's decision that the applicant was eligible for assistance, homeless and in priority need but was intentionally homeless due to her having left her last settled address be upheld for the reasons outlined in the Officer's letter. In particular, it would have been reasonable and affordable for the applicant to continue to have occupied her last settled accommodation.

The Committee took into account the relevant case law and evidence presented by the Housing Options Officer and the statements made by the applicant.

Case 2 (2714)

That the Officer's decision that the applicant was eligible for assistance, homeless, in priority need, did not become intentionally homeless and had a local connection through residence be upheld. Further, that the Officer's decision that the accommodation offered in discharge of the Council's duty was suitable also be upheld for the reasons outlined in the Officer's letter. The Committee took into account the submission by the applicant's Legal Representative, relevant case law and evidence presented by the Housing Options Officer.

Case 3 (2532)

Case adjourned to enable further medical information to be received and investigated by the Council's Housing Options Team.

6.30 pm - 9.13 pm