DECISION

1.    To note the likely impact of welfare reform and the limited funds available to provide support meaning we need to think carefully about how to support those most in need;

2.    To agree the option at paragraph 7.9.2 to provide funding of £2.2 million to the Mayor’s Temporary Accommodation Support Fund.

3.    Subject to the decision relating to recommendation 2.2 above, transfer £950,000 from the earmarked reserve for Homelessness to the Housing Options Budget for 2013/14 to support the Mayor’s Temporary Accommodation Support Fund.

4.    To consider any additional or new considerations which should form the basis of determining eligibility for the Support Fund;

5.    To review the revised Discretionary Housing Payments policy;

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR RESOURCES (C. HOLME)

(Service Head, Corporate Strategy and Equality (L. Russell)

(Service Head, Housing Options (C. Cormack)

(Service Head, Customer Access and ICT (C. Symonds)

Colin Cormack, Service Head Housing Options, introduced the report highlighting the number of funds covered including discretionary funds.

Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member Resources, reported how the Council wanted to support as many people into employment as possible. He highlighted a number of issues including that:

·         Not all those affected by the benefit cap were well served by existing Job Centre Plus operations and many had additional barriers to starting work such as childcare or language difficulties.

·         The Council would provide additional support such as work-focussed interviews with experienced advisors and skills and job matching.

·         The Council would also work to bring together different support agencies related to employment, financial management and skills.

·         They were also looking to develop a practical solution to barriers such as affordable childcare, language and other training opportunities.

He therefore recommended that the Council agree to the larger £2.2 million funding option set out in Paragraph 7.9.2.

The Mayor thanked the Cabinet Member Resources for his contribution and agreed the recommendations, including to provide £2.2 million funding for the Temporary Accommodation Support Fund.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the likely impact of welfare reform and the limited funds available to provide support meaning we need to think carefully about how to support those most in need;

2.    To agree the option at paragraph 7.9.2 to provide funding of £2.2 million to the Mayor’s Temporary Accommodation Support Fund.

3.    Subject to the decision relating to recommendation 2.2 above, transfer £950,000 from the earmarked reserve for Homelessness to the Housing Options Budget for 2013/14 to support the Mayor’s Temporary Accommodation Support Fund.

4.    To consider any additional or new considerations which should form the basis of determining eligibility for the Support Fund;

5.    To review the revised Discretionary Housing Payments policy;