Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

The various initiatives and measures undertaken by the Council to support the community during the recession are noted and advice is to be given to officers of any further initiatives which Cabinet would like to be pursued.

As Portfolio Holder for Improvement and Strategic Partnership, Councillor Woods presented the report to Cabinet. He described some of the initiatives outlined in the report and explained how current services were being geared up to address a change in demand arising from the current economic downturn.  These included additional support for first-time benefits applicants and plans to improve processes for rough sleepers. A ‘Mortgage Rescue’ scheme had helped 18 local families.  He then referred to the multi-agency ‘recession open day’, to be held at the Guildhall on 19 June, which had now been entitled ‘Coping Through the Recession’.  The Council was keen to pick up appropriate initiatives from Government and was preparing an expression of interest for funding for the construction of a number of council homes.  Councillor Woods explained about ongoing partnership working and plans to pool resources with other divisions of the Public Sector, including Job Centre Plus, in an attempt to help more people.

Councillor Beardsworth welcomed the 200% increase in the resettlement of rough sleepers and the Open Day, which would offer people the opportunity to apply for retraining and to look at positive aspects arising from their difficulties.

It was accepted that the Borough Council should work closely with other public partners as well as the local Press and that as employers, would need to address employment issues, with a particular focus on opportunities for young people.

RESOLVED

That the various initiatives and measures undertaken by the Council to support the community during the recession be noted.