Agenda and draft minutes

None.

The report will seek Cabinet Member Approval  to utilise the existing under spend in the current year’s Support Fund to continue the provision of a Support Fund Scheme for the next 12 months, as central Government have confirmed that funding for the Support Fund will cease from 01 April 2015. In order to maintain consistency and provide the best value service to those customers in need for assistance, it is proposed that the current contract with Northgate is extended to 31^st March 2016.

The Welfare Reform Act 2012 required Local Authorities to implement a scheme of Local Welfare provision from 01 April 2013.  The scheme, previously administered by Jobcentre Plus, transferred the DWP responsibility for discretionary payments under the former “Social Fund” to Local Authority control.

A report was tabled seeking Cabinet Member Approval to utilise the existing underspend in the current year’s Support Fund to continue the provision of a Support Fund scheme for the next 12 months, as central Government have confirmed that funding for the Support Fund will cease from 1^st April 2015. In order to maintain consistency and provide the best value to those customers in need for assistance, the report proposed that the existing contract with Northgate was extended to 31^st March 2016. It was noted that by extending this service, the Council was providing a critical safety net for residents and helping prevent residents from falling into the hands of payday lenders and loan sharks.  

The Cabinet member asked the Assistant Head of Service for RBCS to elaborate further on the current underspend and whether Children’s Services had been consulted on the intention to extend the support fund. The Assistant Head of Service for RBCS noted that she had already met with the First Response Section of Children’s Services and had agreed to examine methods for fast tracking applications from Children’s Services.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet Member: 

I). Approved the extension of the existing contract with Northgate to 31^st March 2016 at a cost of £160,000; and

II). Approved the extension of the existing Support Fund policy, as laid out in Appendix A, to 31^st March 2016; and

III). Agreed that future options for the Support Fund be considered over the next 12 months.

The report will seek approval for the annual Discretionary Housing Payments Policy.  The policy has not been amended from 2014/15, however, there is 40% less funding available in 2015/16, so the Council will need to more carefully consider the merits of each application.  The policy will ensure that these reduced DHP resources are used in a way that is not only fair but also supports those households that are in most need of assistance. 

Each year the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) makes grants available to local authorities for Discretionary Housing Payment purposes.  Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP’s) are administered by Local Authorities and provide financial assistance (outside of the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit regulations) to help tenants meet their housing costs. They can play an important role in sustaining tenancies, preventing homelessness and, where needed, enabling tenants to move to more affordable accommodation.   

A report was tabled seeking Cabinet Member approval for the 2015/16 Discretionary Housing Payments Policy.  The policy has not been amended from 2014/15; however, there is 40% less funding available from Central Government in 2015/16. The Cabinet member noted that the Council will therefore need to carefully consider the merits of each application.  The Cabinet Member also noted that in implementing the policy, as laid out in Appendix A of the report, the Council will ensure that these limited DHP resources are used in a way that is not only fair but also supports those households that are in most need of assistance. 

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet Member: 

I). Approved Haringey’s Discretionary Housing Payments Policy 2015/16 (Appendix A) as the means by which the Council will determine how the DHP funds will be allocated during the 2015/16 financial year, having regard to the  Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Appendix B of the report.

To consider any new items of urgent business admitted under Item 1 above.

None.