Housing Bill Social Services Bill SPPG implementation A response from CHC . Mark Sheridan.

Cymorth Consultation Event Housing Bill Social Services Bill SPPG implementation A response from CHC. Mark Sheridan. Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Cymorth Consultation Event • 3 consultations- all in some part aspirational • CHC broadly welcomes the initiatives set out in each of these documents • As usual the ‘devil is in the detail’ • . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Homes For Wales CHC welcomes the White paper and will work with Welsh Government to achieve the shared vision for the role and contribution of housing in Wales. Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Homes For Wales • Specific Comments:-Increasing the supply of Homes;- • Agree there is a need to enhance the private rented sector. • Welcome the aspiration to end family homelessness by 2019 – would note though that property supply is not the only issue contributing to this. • Welcome proposals to bring back empty homes into use. Any council tax raised for this purpose should be ring fenced for housing investment. • . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Homes For Wales d) Adequate provision should be made for gypsy and traveller sites and the L.A’s should be responsible for ensuring this and e) hope the community land trusts will be effective in bringing funding into housing. Like wise f) co-operative housing. g) Local housing market assessments- chc proposes the use of the Independent Planning Advisory Group to ensure comparable data. h) Note the decision to tackle tenancy reform in a 2nd Bill. . . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Homes For Wales • Standard setting- we agree that all tenants in social housing should have the same good quality of homes and services. • Duty of co-operation on housing association-we agree this is required. • Other Comments • We need to innovate on financial models and that needs to include a sustainable rent regime. • . • . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Homes For Wales Bringing the Bills together? We welcome the recognition of the key role housing plays in regenerating communities. CHC welcomes the proposal for housing need to be a strategic consideration of Local Service Boards We particularly welcome the opportunity crated for integrating housing health and social care provision . . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Social Services (Wales) Bill Why have a Bill? Changing Social Context. Demographic Changes. Demand and resources. Consistency. . . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Social Services (Wales) Bill 1. Maintaining and enhancing the wellbeing of people in need 2. A stronger voice and real control for citizens 3. Strong Direction and Local Accountability 4. Safeguarding and Protection 5. Regulation and Inspection 6. Services . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Social Services (Wales) Bill • Section 1 provides new definitions of ‘well-being’ and ‘people in need’ • These wider definitions are welcomed as is the duty on Local Authorities and their partners to maintain and enhance wellbeing. • Focus on the role of Social Services and the Health Service- role of the third sector is largely ignored in the document. • . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Social Services (Wales) Bill • Section two provides for a strengthening of information services • A statutory right of needs assessment for people of al ages and- Portability of assessments. • Proposes to develop further legislation on direct payments. • For those of us working across L.A. boundaries –these moves to ensure consistency and portability are welcome. They do raise issues around resources both for the assessment and for meeting need. • . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Social Services (Wales) Bill Section 3 focuses on delivery, including the development of a national outcomes framework. We are pleased that the Welsh Ministers will have a duty to encourage improvement in social care services. Pooled budgets are also welcomed – though again the role of the third sector is ignored. Impressed that Social Services are now going to appoint Competent Directors. . . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Social Services (Wales) Bill Safe Guarding and protection Boards are explored in section four- and we welcome the move to regional over sight –and the development of a national Board to provide consistency. Section five looks at regulation: This includes the training of all social care staff- which would provide a more level playing field for ‘quality ‘ providers’ as would the proposal for improved National Standards Six includes useful commitments to transition for disabled children- but more detail required. . . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

SPPG Interim Arrangements CHC have participated in the discussions leading up to the document and are supportive of the interim arrangements. In terms of structure and practise – we would expect them to be little different from any long term arrangement agreed. The Legal basis of the R.C.C’s does need to be explored further- but this should not alter the role they have to play in taking forward the new SPPG programme. . . Community Housing Cymru Cartrefi Cymunedol

Housing Bill Social Services Bill SPPG implementation A response from CHC . Mark Sheridan.