Issue - meetings

The Housing Development and Enabling Manager presented a report on the subject of Homelessness Grant and Domestic Abuse Grant funding.

The Committee was informed that the report focused on the use of the funding that had been allocated to the Council by the Government to address homelessness and domestic abuse in the 2025/26 financial year.  There were a number of risks that could arise if this funding was not allocated as proposed, including a potential increase in homelessness rates in the Borough and a possible increase in use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation, resulting in increased financial costs to the Council.  There was also a risk that rates of rough sleeping could increase in Redditch if the proposals were not taken forward.  Members were assured that all recipients of grant funding would be required to enter into agreements with the Council.

Following the presentation of the report, Members discussed the proposed allocations to Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) groups and questions were raised about how additional grant funding would be distributed if this was received from the Government.  Officers clarified that a delegation had been requested to enable Officers to use both any unallocated funding and to make adjustments in relation to funding where necessary in order to meet local needs.

Reference was made to the reduction in Independent Living Support Grant funding from Worcestershire County Council to St Basils and Members highlighted the potential impact that this could have on services tackling homelessness in the Borough.  Members also noted that whilst the proposals detailed in the report would result in a reduction in funding for the Bromsgrove and Redditch branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), the services that had been previously funded through the CAB would remain available for residents to access elsewhere.  The Council also continued to provide financial support to the CAB through other grant schemes.

Consideration was given to the proposal to allocate funding to the Maggs service for a rough sleeper outreach and support service.  Members welcomed this proposal and commented that it was anticipated that this would result in an improvement to these services for vulnerable local people.

During consideration of this item, reference was made to the need for the Council to support victims of domestic abuse in the Borough and questions were raised about what further action the local authority could do to address this issue.  Officers clarified that in a two-tier authority area like Worcestershire, the County Council had more responsibilities in respect of tackling domestic abuse and therefore Worcestershire County Council received more funding than the district Councils in relation to this area.  However, Redditch Borough Council received domestic abuse grant funding in relation to addressing homelessness issues for victims of domestic abuse, as this was the responsibility of local district Councils.

Questions were raised about the number of victims of domestic abuse who tended to seek support from the Council when they were placed at risk of homelessness.  The Committee was informed that domestic abuse was a significant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50