Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report on the expenditure of Homelessness Grant Funding received from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) during 2012/2013 and proposed use of the DCLG grant funding during 2013/2014.

It was reported that the Council had been awarded £112,830 for each of the next two years to prevent and address homelessness. In addition funding from the Economic Recovery Fund was proposed to be incorporated into the Homelessness expenditure for 2013/2014 bringing the total budget for the year to £138,530.

Members noted that the Homelessness Strategy Steering Group had considered the award of grant to specific schemes and that those contained within the report were also recommended by the Strategic Housing Manager. Members noted the work proposed to be undertaken by organisations such as St Basils and the Basement Drop in Service.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the updated information on the homelessness prevention and support schemes funded through DCLG homelessness grant during 2012/2013 be noted;

(b)       that the submissions for the funding of schemes during 2013/2014 as considered by the Homelessness Strategy Steering Group and recommended by the Strategic Housing Manager (as set out in table 3.11) be approved to receive funding from the Council’s strategic fund for Homelessness for 2013/2014;

(c)        that the Head of Community Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing be granted delegated authority to allocate any under spend or make further adjustments necessary to ensure full utilisation of the Strategic funding for homelessness for 2013/2014 in support of existing or new schemes; and

(d)       that officers refresh the policy and procedure for the allocation of DCLG Homelessness Grant Funding for the 2014/2015 allocation.