Agenda item

That the policy for Discretionary Housing Payments as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved.

The Lead Member for Housing & Community Safety introduced a report that sought approval of the revised Discretionary Housing Payments policy for 2020/21.

The grant awarded by the Department for Work and Pensions for 2020/21 for Slough Borough Council was £848,666 and it was proposed to maintain spending within this allocation to avoid placing additional pressures on the general fund.  This grant was an increase of £198,162 on the current year as the Treasury had provided additional resources to support the most vulnerable people living in private rented accommodation.  A total of 241 awards had been made in the year as at 20^th February 2020 and it was anticipated that the full budget allocation would be utilised.

The Cabinet considered the policy set out in Appendix A to the report.  The changes were to ensure the policy remained in line with legislation, reflected new case law and the increased grant.  There was an expansion in the list of types of applications that should be prioritised as set out in paragraph 5.17 of the report.

After due consideration, the revised policy for 2020/21 was approved.

Resolved –  That the policy for Discretionary Housing Payments as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved.