Decision details
Temporary Accommodation Utilities Payment Responsibility
Decision Maker: Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
The decision is to give approval for homeless occupants staying in RMBC temporary accommodation to begin to cover the costs of their own utility usage from April 2024.
The proposal is for the service to adopt a new management process when an occupant moves into Temporary Accommodation, where they are supported to manage their own utility payments via a Pre-payment utility meter throughout the duration of their placement.
The decision requires agreement for new occupants residing in temporary accommodation to be made responsible for the payment of their personal gas and electricity utility use, via a Smart Prepayment Meter, for the duration of their placement, from April 2024.
The decision requires agreement for all District Heating properties within the portfolio (except the 4 within Shaftesbury House) to be gradually terminated at the point when the current occupant vacates and replaced with alternative units which have standard gas and electricity supply.
Decision:
ROTHERHAM METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
RECORD OF OFFICER EXECUTIVE DECISION
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Date of Decision: |
6 March 2024
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Title: |
Temporary Accommodation Utilities Payment Responsibility
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Decision Maker: (Including Job Title) |
Ian Spicer, Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health
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Details of Specific Cabinet Delegation or Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.
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Responsibility for function Section 4C3 Page 296 of the constitution - STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF ADULT CARE, HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH – DELEGATED EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS The Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health is authorised to discharge executive functions through the commissioning and provision of social services for adults and public health services for the whole population and delivery of housing for the Borough, including: 2d Housing Options.
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Decision: |
Decision to give approval for homeless occupants staying in Council temporary accommodation to begin to cover the costs of their own utility usage from April 2024. The decision is for the service to adopt a new management process when an occupant moves into Temporary Accommodation, where they are supported to manage their own utility payments via a pre-payment utility meter throughout the duration of their placement. |
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Reasons for the Decision: |
This decision will expose occupants to essential tenancy sustainment and finance management skills during their placement within temporary accommodation, support occupants move on to permanent accommodation, while effectively managing financial pressure on the General Fund to sustain Homelessness service provision. |
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Details of alternative options considered and rejected: |
An alternative option was the development of a ‘service charge’. This option was rejected as it would not be possible to develop a fair and consistent charge.
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Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision: |
None |
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Dispensations Granted: (If any) |
None |
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Reports or parts of reports considered |
Officer Decision Record Report- Temporary Accommodation Utilities Payment Responsibility v0.3 |
I certify that this is a true record of the executive decision to give approval for homeless occupants staying in Council temporary accommodation to begin to cover the costs of their own utility usage from April 2024.
Signed by the Decision Maker
Dated: 06/03/2024
Name: Ian Spicer
Job Title: Strategic Director, Adult Care, Housing & Public Health
If you require any assistance in the completion of the decision record please contact the Governance Team governance@rotherham.gov.uk
Publication date: 18/03/2024
Date of decision: 06/03/2024
Accompanying Documents:
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