Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

RESOLVED :-

·           To approve the recommendations of the Supporting People Commissioning Plan;

·           To approve the allocation of funding per service area, as outlined within the Supporting People commissioning Plan document.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Housing Services in relation to approval of Supporting People Programme grant Commissioning Strategy and Spend Plan.

The Portfolio Holder (Housing & Social Services) stated that the Supporting People Programme for Anglesey, which provides housing related support for vulnerable people and families has seen its annual allocation from Welsh Government for 2015/16, reduced by 8.8% which is commensurate with a £256,000 decrease.  This level of decrease is substantial to the service.

The Principal Development Officer (Housing Services) reported that the reduction in funding has resulted in difficult decisions being made from April 2015, with unavoidable implications to the Local Authority’s Learning Disability Budget.    Historically, Supporting People has invested heavily within the provision of support for People with Learning Disabilities, with in excess of 33% of the total funding allocated toward the needs of this service area.

In addition to learning disabilities Domestic Abuse has seen a reduction of 10.3%, Services for Offenders 21%, Alcohol and Substance Misuse 10.2%, Single Parent Families 5.8% and homeless and Rough Sleepers 10.6%.  All services mentioned are provided either by the Third Sector Organisations or subsidiaries of Housing Associations. 

Members of the Executive requested that a letter be sent to the Minister of Communities and Tackling Poverty and a press lease in the name of the Leader and the Portfolio Holder (Housing & Social Services) expressing the County Councils deep concerns in the reduction in funding for the Supporting People Programme in North Wales. 

RESOLVED :-

·           To approve the recommendations of the Supporting People Commissioning Plan;

·           To approve the allocation of funding per service area, as outlined within the Supporting People commissioning Plan document.