Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report regarding expenditure on schemes relating to the prevention of homelessness and repeat homelessness within the District.  The report detailed the progress of schemes funded by grants during 2006/07, the level of grant allocated for 2007/08 and schemes put forward by the Homelessness Strategy Steering Group for grant funding in 2007/08.

It was reported that an additional £60,000 had recently been awarded for a countywide mediation service, such funding to be accessible by all six District Councils in Worcestershire.  It was also reported that there had been a reduction in the number of people presenting as homeless and the number of people whom the Council had been required to house during the past year.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the progress of the homelessness preventative and support schemes funded through the homelessness grant from the Department of Communities and Local Government be noted;

(b)       that the level of homelessness grant funding for 2007/08 be noted;

(c)        that the submissions for the funding of schemes recommended by the Bromsgrove Homelessness Steering Group from the 2007/08 homelessness grant be approved;

(d)       that delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning and Environment Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing to re-allocate any underspend or make further adjustments necessary to ensure full utilisation of the grant allocation for 2007/08 in support of existing or new schemes.

(NOTE: Councillor Mrs J. Dyer M.B.E. declared a personal interest in this item as a Trustee of the Bromsgrove Youth Homelessness Forum.)