Agenda item

DECISION

That the Lincolnshire Homes For Independence Blueprint be endorsed and that it be agreed to support its ambitions and shape the associated work programme for the benefit of communities. 

Portfolio Holders and Officer

MG/MH

REASON FOR DECISION

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report, which presented a blueprint for Lincolnshire Homes for Independence.

Housing was a key determinant of health. The evidence as clear that mental health, physical health, wellbeing and life opportunities were positively impacted through access to a safe, warm, affordable and decent homes.

The Lincolnshire Homes for Independence Blueprint was the result of system-wide collaboration and commitment to ensure that Lincolnshire residents could access and sustain safe, affordable and suitable housing throughout their lives to meet their current and future needs. The Blueprint was a high-level statement and a call to action to partners across the Lincolnshire system.

The Blueprint had been developed over a long period by the partners, officers and members that collaborated to form the Lincolnshire Housing, Health & Care Delivery Group (HHCDG); a formal sub group of the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board. It was significant that this was a system-wide programme of work. Its delivery and work programme would be overseen by the HHCDG but would require continued commitment and collaboration from all partners to deliver the associated work programme. 

The blueprint was endorsed by the Lincolnshire Health & Wellbeing Board in December 2020.  The Board noted that ‘the development of the blueprint was the first step in agreeing across local government, NHS organisations, social housing providers and communities, the standards wished to be achieved in Lincolnshire.  It had since been endorsed by Lincolnshire County Council and was in the process of being considered by all District Councils.

The Blueprint focused on key thematic areas that required a system response:

·         Growing the supply of appropriate housing to meet a range of specific housing needs

·         Aiming to influence the design, location and number of homes delivered

·         Secure better outcomes from existing resources

·         Enable residents in Lincolnshire to plan ahead to meet their housing needs

Alongside the Blueprint was a delivery plan, which set out the detail and actions to delivery of the shared vision. The delivery plan itself would not commit partners; decision on actions within the delivery plan would be subject to partners’ individual decision-making processes. In endorsing the Blueprint, Members were being asked to commit to a set of principles that could be delivered collaboratively, across the housing, health and care system.

The audience for the blueprint was senior managers, board members and Members who worked across the housing, health and care sectors as well as those who might be less familiar with the housing and health agenda. It was relevant to many area of the Council’s work – housing and wellbeing, planning, environment, economic growth, better ageing, Wellbeing Lincs.

The aim was that it could be used for project planning, providing evidence and justification in decision-making processes as well as focusing the efforts of members of the partnership on actions to secure greater provision of a wide range of housing choices and to further integrate services designed to promote independent living.

There were a number of national and local things that had influenced the development of the Blueprint and shaped the focus of the work for the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group, which were listed in the report. 

The blueprint was welcomed.  A Member asked whether the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group liaised with social housing providers regarding the design of new properties, particularly with respect to affordable housing.  The Portfolio Holder assured Members that the group frequently liaised with housing associations.  It was comprised of an extensive range of partners involved in decision-making relating to housing, health and wellbeing in order to tackle issues holistically and make best use of available resources.

The Assistant Director - Housing and Wellbeing added that there was also a Lincolnshire Housing Association Partnership, whose Chairman served on the Housing, Health and Care Delivery Group, so providing additional communication and support.  The Partnership would be formally considering the blueprint at their next meeting.

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

The Council could choose not to support the blueprint. This has not been recommended as it is the result of collaboration of all partners, including BBC, and will enable a much needed system focus on improving housing options and outcomes for residents. The blueprint itself does not commit BBC to specific actions; relevant actions within the delivery plan will be considered separately as required. Endorsing the blueprint, and being part of the Lincolnshire system response to housing, health and care, provides the Council with an important opportunity to shape future work and focus as a key system partner, for the benefit of communities.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.