Issue - meetings

This report concerns the Families Homelessness Service and proposals for its relocation to the New Millennium Centre in the context of the homelessness emergency and the approval of authority to tender for a provider to carry out works to fit out designated spaces at the new location.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve proposals for a relocation of the Families Homelessness Service from the Brent Civic Centre, Wembley to the New Millennium Centre, Roundwood.

(2)        Following on from (1) above, to approve the inviting of tenders to deliver the works to fit out the designated spaces at the New Millennium Centre on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.2.19 of the report.

(3)        To approve officers evaluating the tenders referred to in (2) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.2.19 of the report.

(4)        To note that the Corporate Director, Partnerships Housing and Resident Services in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing will use powers delegated under the Constitution to award the contract for works to fit out designated spaces at the new Millennium Centre.

(5)        To approve the use of £400k of capital budget to undertake the works.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 21 October 2024

As a result of Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing) having submitted his apologies for absence Councillor Mili Patel (as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) introduced a report detailing proposals to relocate the Families Homelessness Service from Brent Civic Centre to the New Millennium Centre and seeking approval for the authority to tender in order to carry out works in order to fit out the designated space at the new location.

In introducing the report, members were advised that the proposals had been developed within the context of the homelessness crisis and to enable the homelessness service to be hosted within the New Millennium Centre as part of a wider and more strategic and holistic community wellbeing programme of support.  In recognising the homelessness crisis as the single biggest challenge currently facing the council, the proposals had been designed to reflect a re-imagining of the Council’s existing assets with the refurbishment works at the New Millennium Centre providing purpose-built facilities for services and service users requiring housing support.  Members noted that the proposals were also aligned with Brent’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and new Strategic Change Programme, which included enabling outcome-focused approaches that would support residents through a model of preventative and integrated Brent Council, Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and partner services and respond to local need.

In terms of other advantages highlighted, members were advised the new site was located in the south of the borough, where the majority of homelessness demand was focussed, and also located within walking distance of key services such as the Single Homelessness Service, the Crisis Skylight building, and JobCentre Plus in Harlesden.  Co-location with wider services, including Brent Hubs, debt and food support was also expected to provide additional support for vulnerable families whilst also providing access to other intervention and support services in relation to mental health, employment and skills that would not only support cost avoidance, but also assist in preventing future rough sleeping and future need for housing and adult social care services.  The relocation process had also been designed to support expansion of the Community Wellbeing project (currently being piloted at Bridge Park Leisure Centre) with the new Community Wellbeing Service including additional health provision in the form of access to health professional such as GPs Social Prescribers, Public Health Community Support Officers, and Brent Health Matter leads able to refer residents for closer, more integrated partnership working and wraparound support.

In considering the report, members commended the approach outlined and welcomed the opportunities identified through the proposed relocation in terms of not only offering more holistic wrap around support for vulnerable adults and families and links to Brent Hubs but also in terms of the use of Council assets to innovate and adapt in seeking to address the challenges faced, working jointly with key stakeholders and local residents.

Having also noted and welcomed the recent appointment of a provider to deliver the expanded Community Wellbeing Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10