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

 

Date of Decision:

6 March 2024
 

Title:

Temporary Accommodation
Utilities Payment Responsibility
 

Decision Maker:
(Including Job
Title)

Ian Spicer,
Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public
Health
 

Details of Specific Cabinet
Delegation
or Delegation contained in the
relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.
 

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.
 

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.

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.

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.
 

Conflicts of interest
declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker
which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations
Granted:
(If any)

None

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