Issue - meetings

(i)            That the Executive Director - Commercial Development and Economic Growth in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency be authorised to extend the Newcastle Housing Advice contract with Midland Heart for 12 months.

(ii)           That the Newcastle Housing Advice service be brought back in-house by 1^st April 2021.

(iii)           That the Council works with Midland Heart to undertake the necessary consultations and development of processes to transfer the service effectively.

(iv)          That a temporary post be established to develop the in-house service.

A report was submitted to Cabinet setting out the way forward for the provision of the Council’s statutory homelessness, housing advice and housing register services for April, 2020 onwards.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing, Councillor Jill Waring advised Members that this was a statutory function which was currently   delivered by Midland Heart under contract for the Borough.  This contract would end on 31 March, 2020.

The contract was put out to tender but only one reply was received.  It was therefore proposed to extend the current contract with Midland Heart for up to twelve months which would give the Council time to develop an in-house service.

Resolved:     (i)         That the Executive Director - Commercial Development

and Economic Growth in conjunction with the Portfolio

Holder for Finance and Efficiency be authorised to extend the Newcastle Housing Advice contract with Midland Heart for 12 months.

(ii)          That the Newcastle Housing Advice service be brought back in-house by 1^st April 2021.

(iii)         That the Council works with Midland Heart to undertake the necessary consultations and development of processes to transfer the service effectively.

(iv)         That a temporary post be established to develop the in-house service.