Purpose

To obtain approval from the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) to the acceptance of additional funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and to the proposals for spending this.
The Government has confirmed its commitment to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping and in November 2024, the MHCLG allocated £10 million additional funding to areas with the highest rough sleeping pressures to support local authorities in their efforts to protect the lives of rough sleepers over the winter.
This funding was subsequently increased by a further £20 million and, in January 2025, the Council was informed that it had been allocated £34,280.00 funding to help prevent and resolve rough sleeping in the district.

Decision

a)Accept the allocation of additional funding of £34,280.00
b)Agrees to the variation of the Council’s existing contract with Anglia Care Trust for Early Intervention and Support Services, as set out in this report.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - To accept this funding and identify options to expend it to help prevent and resolve rough sleeping in the district
Option 2 - Not to accept or utilise this funding. However, this funding has been allocated on an analysis of rough sleeping pressures, based on an assessment of MMHCLG most recent management information of rough sleeping levels across England.
The Council has not had to submit a bid to access this funding, but its proposals have been discussed with and agreed by our Rough Sleeping Adviser.