Issue - meetings

This item was chaired by Councillor Todd-Jones

Matter for Decision

This report outlined a programme of grant funding to organisations providing homelessness prevention services. All grant awards are for 2017-18 only and applications for funding are submitted on an annual basis with two exceptions – please refer to paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 of the Officer’s report. Given the dual financial and homelessness pressures the Council is facing, it is important that the grants programme was both transparent and exposed to scrutiny.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

     i.        Agreed, subject to any changes that may be made as part of the budget setting process and the formal adoption of the 2017/18 budget by Council, the proposed grant funding allocations as outlined in appendix 1 of the Officer’s report.

    ii.        Agreed delegated authority for the Head or Interim Head of Housing, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing, to agree ad hoc, in year, funding awards as outlined in paragraph 4.6 of the Officer’s report.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Housing Advice Service Manager.

The Committee discussed points to be raised in the response to the withdrawal of funding to the Police for a Street Life Officer. The Housing Advice Service Manager stated that the previous funding had supported engagement and enforcement work. It had not provided a full time post. Police financial pressures had resulted in a change of focus and the funding was no longer seen as the best use of resources.

The Housing Advice Service Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

     i.        There had been an increase in non-engagement from entrenched rough sleepers.

    ii.        The team was investigating the causes of increased begging.

   iii.        Grants had been allocated in a targeted way with the grants programme being used to address any identified gaps in services.

  iv.        A strategic approach had been adopted regarding partnership working.

   v.        The majority of homelessness services were delivered via County Council budgets.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.