The Interim Head of Transformation, Jayne Marshall introduced the report of the Director of Adult Social Services that provided an update on the progression of housing for vulnerable people in Wirral. The report outlined the current challenges in relation to legislation and delivery and actions in relation to land. The report also summarised the current plan for the delivery of “Extra Care Housing” in Wirral and associated challenges.

Ms Marshall explained that within the Wirral Plan, the Council had a stated ambition to build and improve 7000 homes over the lifetime of the five year plan. This included building 3500 new homes, some of which will be to meet the need of vulnerable adults. Adult Social Care had targets set to reduce the amount of people placed in permanent residential care, and to increase the numbers of people maintained in their own home within a community setting.

The People Overview and Scrutiny Committee was apprised of the progress of pipeline schemes to provide additional units of Extra Care housing, located in Pensby, Heswall, Rock Ferry and Beechwood.

Members noted the financial implications and risks as detailed within the report that included:

• The risk to the delivery of the proposed efficiencies (£1.3m) which have been put back to future financial years (2018/2019) due to the current issues relating to government’s rent proposals and the impact this has on the markets delivery of Extra Care properties.

·  Following regular meetings held with developers and social landlords, although both are keen to progress the developments of housing for vulnerable adults they are unable to do so at present due the proposed restrictions planned in respect of rent caps etc.

Members questioned the Interim Head of Transformation on a number of matters that primarily referred to the Government’s reform of the Welfare Benefit System (WBS) specifically the capping of social housing rents at Local Housing Allowance levels and a required 1% rent reduction per year in social housing sector for the next four years.

The People Overview and Scrutiny Committee was apprised that much lobbying had been undertaken by Local Authorities across the country and a review of the Government’s WBS proposals was being undertaken. Members requested that Wirral engage in lobbying on this matter to ensure the impact on Wirral residents and the challenges faced by the Council as a result are clearly reported to the relevant decision makers.

Members questioned the Interim Head of Transformation on other matters detailed in the report seeking clarity on waiting lists, backlogs, involvement of the independent sector, rent levels, cost effectiveness and mixed tenure schemes. The Chair made reference to a primary question concerning the sustainability of any such system i.e. that would a person on the basic state pension be in a position to afford such accommodation?, highlighting that the answer would likely depend upon whether the accommodation was provided by a social landlord or the independent sector.

The Chair requested that an additional recommendation that she be requested to work with the 2 Cabinet Lead Members to lobby Government on behalf of Wirral with regard to the topic of Welfare Reform, be added to the recommendations as contained in the Officer’s report. The request was supported unopposed by the Committee.

Resolved - That

1)  the challenges in relation to delivery in Wirral be noted;

2)  the progress made with Housing for Vulnerable Adults in Wirral be supported;

3)  the challenges in working with the private housing development sector, if Registered Social landlords are not able to progress schemes due to capital return requirements be noted;

4)  the impact on rent levels if schemes are to be developed with private developers be noted; and

5)  the Chair of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee be requested to work with the 2 Cabinet Leads to lobby Government on behalf of Wirral in relation to its proposals regarding Welfare Benefits Reform.