The Committee considered a report setting out the proposed decommissioning of the Caversham Road Pods as part of a transition towards the approach set out in the Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026 – 2031 and accompanying Action Plan, as approved by Housing, Neighbourhood and Leisure Committee at its meeting on 10 March 2026 (Minute 30 refers).

The report explained that the supported accommodation delivered at Caversham Road Pods had been established as part of Reading’s rapid response to the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting the national “Everyone In” initiative. The Pods had been intended as a temporary, emergency provision, with temporary planning permission currently due to expire in September 2026. The Pods model was not aligned with the Council’s usual approach to commissioning and delivering outreach support and supported accommodation services and did not reflect the agreed strategic direction set out in the Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.  Operational experience had also identified limitations with the model in achieving consistent move-on, sustaining recovery and maintaining throughput for this cohort with complex needs.  This combination of operational factors, the temporary nature of the provision and its misalignment with the Council’s strategic direction, established a clear case for decommissioning.

The report recommended a full decommissioning of the Pods by September 2027, enabling a managed transition for current residents, allowing the Council to redirect resources into alternative supported accommodation and minimising the risk of increased rough sleeping. This approach supported the alignment of commissioning cycles across outreach, support and supported housing services for people who were rough sleeping and would enable more coordinated services with improved outcomes to be delivered from available resources. As set out in the agreed Strategy and Action Plan, from September 2027, the Council would fully recommission homelessness support and supported accommodation services, prioritising rapid “off the streets” responses and move-on, the growth of Housing First, and more dispersed model of provision, enabling improved recovery outcomes and tenancy sustainment.

The report noted that the potential redevelopment of the site for a residential-led scheme including policy compliant affordable housing as allocated in the Local Plan would be subject to an options appraisal on use, design and routes to delivery.

Resolved –

(1)       That the decommissioning of the Supported Accommodation provision at Caversham Road Pods by 31August 2027 be approved;

(2)       That the Executive Director for Communities and Adult Social Care, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Housing, the Director of Legal and Democratic Services and the Director of Finance, be authorised to:

a)    procure, award, and implement any necessary contracts and associated agreements required to decommission the Caversham Road Pods site, including the removal, disposal, sale or relocation of the modular units and restoration of the site, in accordance with procurement and financial regulations;

b)   exercise the permitted contractual extension to award an eight-month extension to the existing support contract with Launchpad Reading for the Caversham Road Pods and The Nova Project, covering the period 1August 2026 to 31 March 2027, up to the maximum value set out in the report;

c)    approve and implement a further time-limited contract modification for up to five months, in accordance with Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2025 to extend the same support contract with Launchpad Reading for the Caversham Road Pods and The Nova Project from 1 April 2027 to 31August 2027, up to the maximum value set out in the report, solely to ensure continuity of support and alignment with planned decommissioning and homelessness service recommissioning;

(3)       That it be noted that an options appraisal and feasibility study for redevelopment of the site in line with the Local Plan allocation would be undertaken following decommissioning, to inform the future use of the site, and that any proposals and subsequent recommendations would be subject to a separate decision-making process in line with the Council’s Constitution.

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 3)