Why we are engaging with Clackmannanshire Council (Clackmannanshire)
We are engaging with Clackmannanshire about its services for people who are homeless, its site for Gypsy/Travellers and stock quality.
During 2023/24, we reviewed and compared the data for all local authorities from the Scottish Government’s national homelessness statistics. We also spoke to all local authorities to gather further information and assurance about their homelessness services. To assess the risks to people who are threatened with or experiencing homelessness we will engage with all local authorities during 2024/25 with a focus on the provision of appropriate temporary accommodation.
We will engage with Clackmannanshire in particular about its provision of temporary accommodation to people who are homeless.
Clackmannanshire is constructing a new site for Gypsy/Travellers. Clackmannanshire originally told us the site would be complete by April 2024 but this has been delayed until October 2024. Residents are in temporary accommodation until the new site is complete.
Clackmannanshire has identified reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in some of its homes. It has told us it has a plan in place to manage any associated risks.
What Clackmannanshire must do
Clackmannanshire must:
- send us the information we require in relation to its homelessness service;
- tell us about any emerging issues preventing it from fulfilling its statutory duty to provide temporary accommodation when it should and comply with the Unsuitable Accommodation Order;
- tell us about any further delays in the completion of its new site for Gypsy/Travellers; and
- tell us if there are any material adverse issues which might affect its capacity to manage the risks associated with RAAC.
What we will do
We will:
- review the information Clackmannanshire provides about its homelessness service;
- meet with Clackmannanshire by 31 July 2024 to discuss its homelessness service and engage as necessary;
- meet with Clackmannanshire to seek assurance if it does not provide temporary accommodation when it should, or if it breaches the Unsuitable Accommodation Order;
- consider our regulatory engagement with Clackmannanshire if the completion of its new site for Gypsy/Travellers is delayed further;
- review any information Clackmannanshire provides about RAAC in its homes and engage as necessary; and
- update our published engagement plan in the light of any material change to our planned engagement with Clackmannanshire.
Regulatory returns
Clackmannanshire must provide us with the following annual regulatory returns:
- Annual Assurance Statement; and
- Annual Return on the Charter.
It should also notify us of any material changes to its Annual Assurance Statement, and any tenant and resident safety matter which has been reported to or is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive or reports from regulatory or statutory authorities or insurance providers, relating to safety concerns.