Issue - meetings

The Committee resolved:-

(i)              to note the report at appendix 1;  

(ii)             to approve option 4 at Appendix 1;

(iii)            to note the decision of the Scottish Government to fund the Housing First Fund by only 50% and regrets that this partial funding by the Scottish government is set to end in 2022;

(iv)           to note the comments of Kevin Stewart MSP Minister for Local Government and Housing on social media that the ‘right policies, regulations and resources ‘must be in place to combat homelessness; and

(v)             therefore instructs the Chief Officer- Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to write to Kevin Stewart MSP, Local Government and Housing Minister, seeking a commitment to ensure the service is 100% funded for 2021/22 financial year and beyond. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, which provided an update on the Housing First programme in Aberdeen and sought Committee approval on the recommended option/s for continuance.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)            note the report at appendix 1; and

(b)            approve option 4 at appendix 1.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Lumsden:-

(i)              to note the report at appendix 1;  

(ii)             to approve option 4 at appendix 1;

(iii)            to note the decision of the Scottish Government to fund the Housing First Fund by only 50% and regret that this partial funding by the Scottish government is set to end in 2022; and

(iv)           to note the comments of Kevin Stewart MSP Minister for Local Government and Housing on social media that the ‘right policies, regulations and resources ‘must be in place to combat homelessness; and therefore instruct the Chief Officer- Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to write to Kevin Stewart MSP, Local Government and Housing Minister, seeking a commitment to ensure the service is 100% funded for 2021/22 financial year and beyond. 

Councillor Yuill moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor McLellan:-

that the motion be approved, however amended slightly in order to write to the leaders of all political parties and not just the Scottish Government. 

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (7) – the Convener, the Vice Convener Councillor Bell, the Vice Convener Councillor Graham, and Councillors Lesley Dunbar, Lumsden, Macdonald and Stewart, the Depute Provost; for the amendment (6) – Councillors Cormie, Henrickson, McLellan, Audrey Nicoll, Radley and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion. 

-        Councillor John Wheeler, Convener