Agenda and minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

The Cabinet Member referred those present to agenda Item 1 as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at this meeting and asked that those present reviewed and noted the information contained therein.

The Cabinet Member will advise of any items they have decided to take as urgent business.

None.

The report will seek Cabinet Member approval for Haringey’s Discretionary Housing Payments Policy 2016/17. The Cabinet Member will also be asked to note the changes to the policy in 2016/17, following the review of the Discretionary Housing Payments policy.

The Cabinet Member considered a report  which sought approval for Haringey’s Discretionary Housing Payments Policy 2016/17. The Cabinet Member was also asked to note the changes in 2016/17, following a review of the policy.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve Haringey’s Discretionary Housing Payments Policy 2016/17 (see Appendix A of the report) as the means by which the Council will determine how the DHP funds will be allocated during the 2016/17 financial year having regard to the Equalities Impact Assessment (set out in Appendix B of the report)

2.    Notes recommended changes to the policy for 2016/17 taking account of the review of DHP policy as follows:

      i.        Reprioritised objectives of the policy to emphasize that funds are used in a preventative way towards homelessness and sustain tenancies in correlation with the Council strategy. (Paragraph 6.11 of the report)

     ii.        Emphasis to be placed on the contribution that applicants need to make to their rent shortfall, with a reasonable underlying principle that all claimants make some contribution unless there is a clear reason why they should not do so. (Paragraph 6.12 of the report)

    iii.        Strengthened conditionality as set out in the policy to be monitored to ensure consistency. The service will monitor any set conditions given to a household; this will be taken in consideration in determining future awards, which may result in withdrawal of the DHP. (Paragraph 6.17 of the report)

3.    Notes recommended proposals for introducing improved monitoring of the outcomes of the DHP policy during 2016/17 (Paragraphs 6.23 and 6.24 of the report)

4.    Notes recommended proposals to ensure our DHP procedures align with our overall strategic response to welfare reform (Paragraphs 6.19 to 6.21 and Paragraph 7 of the report)

The report will seek Cabinet Member approval to delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to draw down from the remaining money held in reserves for Local Welfare Assistance in order to increase the capacity of the Homelessness Prevention Fund to address emergency needs and prevent homelessness and to support the development of a local approach to preventing crisis and supporting financial resilience.  

The Cabinet Member considered a report which outlined how the Council would meet the needs of those would have previously been eligible for support under the Support Fund, the contract for which was due to expire on 31^st March 2016. The report sought Cabinet Member approval to agree that remaining resources for local welfare assistance held in reserves should be aligned with other forms of assistance for those in financial hardship and a clear plan be developed for targeting these resources to meet existing and future support needs.

RESOLVED

To agree to delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to draw down from the remaining money held in reserves for Local Welfare Assistance in order to increase the capacity of the Homelessness Prevention Fund to address emergency needs and prevent homelessness and to support the development of a local approach to preventing crisis and supporting financial resilience.

To consider any new items of urgent business admitted under Item 2 above.

N/A