Meeting Details

In terms of Standing Order 20 and the Councillors' Code of Conduct, there were no declarations from Group Leaders or Spokespersons in regard to any prior decisions taken on how Members will vote on any item on the agenda or any declarations of Member's interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

The meeting resolved that in terms of Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as amended, the public and media representatives be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items of business appearing at the relevant paragraphs of this minute as specified below, so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in the appropriate paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

The Committee noted that no written questions had been submitted.

The Minute of the Communities Committee dated 27 August 2019 was submitted and approved.

Under reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of the meeting dated 23 April 2013 a report by the Corporate Director (Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure) provided the Committee with an update on the coming into force of provisions within the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 and amendments to the Homelessness Policy to align with the new provisions.  It informed Committee of national policy development and future legislative changes.

Following consideration the Committee agreed:

1. to note that the legal duty to carry out an intentionality investigation as part of an assessment of homelessness will become a power;
   
   
2. that the Council uses its power to investigate intentionality as part of a homeless assessment;
   
   
3. to approve the revised Homelessness Policy as set out in Section 4 and appendix 1 of the report;
   
   
4. to note the national policy developments and future legislative changes set out in Section 6 of the report; and
   
   
5. to note that further changes will be required to the Homelessness Policy in accordance with the changes set out in Section 6 of the report.

A report by the Corporate Director (Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure) informed the Committee of the budget position to 31 August 2019 for the Housing Investment Programme for 2019/20.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note the position as at 31 August 2019 for the Housing Investment Programme for 2019/20.

Under reference to paragraph 6 of the Minute of the special meeting dated 27 February 2019 a report by the Corporate Director (Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure) presented the budget position for the Housing Revenue Account and General Services Other Housing Budget for the period up to 31 August 2019.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note the budget monitoring report for the period to 31 August 2019.

Under reference to paragraph 14 of the Minute of the meeting dated 27 August Councillor Gatt sought an update on his concern that minutes were a record of decisions rather than a record of discussions.

In response, the Chair advised that the Manager was still on long term sick and this would be raised with her on her return.

The Clerk advised the Head of Service had taken the decision that this should wait until the manager’s return and offered to raise this again with the Head of Service.

Councillor Gatt advised he would raise the matter with the Head of Service.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Louise Laing.