Decision details

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillor John Gilbert and David Kerr)

The Corporate Director (Community Services) submitted a report informing members about progress towards securing Supporting People (SP) programme monies for the Portland Street project and the Home Support Team and seeking approval for continued use of Homelessness Reserve funding.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 1: Do not agree to any further funding for the Home Support Team from the allocated reserve beyond the commitment to existing staff contracts, which run up until the end of August 2008.

·         If SP have not been able to confirm funding by then, three postholders’ contracts will end at 31^st August 2008.

·         These posts play an important part in helping those in imminent danger of homelessness to avoid it. The City Council is aiming to prevent homelessness and money spent on doing so can save money which would otherwise have to be spent on those accepted as homeless.

·         If SP were to subsequently agree funding, there is a risk that the staff would no longer be in post and additional costs would be incurred in advertising and appointing staff.

Option 2: Agree to make up to £75,000 of allocated reserve available to the Home Support Team in 2008/9, pending the SP decision on funding

·         This would enable the Council to extend the contracts for the three postholders concerned until 31^st March 2009 and for the projects to continue with current levels of staffing, by which time a decision should have been made by SP

·         If a positive decision is made by SP before 31^st March 2009, less than the maximum would be spent.

The Officer preferred option was option 2, which would allow a skilled and experienced staff team to remain working together for as long as possible, pending the outcome of the SP bid.

It was moved by Councillor Gilbert and seconded by Councillor Mace:-

“That Cabinet agrees to allow the Home Support Team to draw down from the Homelessness Reserve of up to £75,000 in 2008/9, pending the Supporting People decision on Funding.”

Members then voted as follows:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)     That Cabinet agrees to allow the Home Support Team to draw down from the Homelessness Reserve of up to £75,000 in 2008/9, pending the Supporting People decision on Funding.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Community Services)

Head of Health and Strategic Housing

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision allows a skilled and experienced staff team to remain working together for as long as possible, pending the outcome of the Supporting People bid.