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The report of the Director of Planning,
Housing and Environmental Health sought approval for funding to be
transferred from the Homelessness Reserve into the revenue budget
to support the capacity within the Housing Service.
 
To enable the Borough Council to fulfil its
statutory housing duties and respond to an increased number of
housing register applications it was proposed that the capacity
within the Housing Service be increased on a temporary basis up to
March 2026.   The total cost of the
proposals was £281,601 and could be funded from the
Homelessness Reserve including from funds received in 2025/26.
 
Due regard was given to the financial and
value for money considerations and the assessment of risk detailed
in the report.   Members were
advised that the number of assessments awaiting processing was at
its lowest since the introduction of the new system in 2023 and
there was the highest number of live applicants on the housing
register.
 
On the grounds of maintaining adequate
staffing levels to meet service demands and in recognition of the
high number of housing applications, Cllr Taylor proposed,
Cllr Betts seconded and Cabinet
 
RESOLVED: 
That
 

(1)           
subject to the approval of the gradings for the Housing Allocations
Officers by the General Purposes Committee, the transfer of
£281,601 from the Homelessness Reserve into the revenue
budget to fund the temporary increase in staffing capacity (as set
out in the report) be approved.