Decision details

Councillor Mudd moved the following motion for which appropriate notice had been provided:

Newport City Council:

1. Acknowledges and supports the good work undertaken by Newport in providing a diverse range of housing related support services to vulnerable individuals to help them live a fulfilled, active and independent life, in a home environment that is right for their individual needs.

2. Supports the continuance of the Supporting People grant programme funded by the Welsh Government to assist and support potentially vulnerable and marginalised people to live independently within the community.

3. Calls upon the Welsh Government to safeguard and not to impose any further reduction to the Supporting People grant.

4. Supports the joint campaign of Cymorth Cymru and Community Housing Cymru, “Let’s Keep on Supporting People” to safeguard the Supporting People grant programme budget.

5. Invites all Members of the Gwent Regional Collaborative Committee in their own areas and organisations to support this motion

6. Invites Constituency and Regional Members of the National Assembly  to support this motion

The motion was seconded by Councillor Cockeram.

In presenting the motion, Councillor Mudd, as the Council’s Supporting People and Homelessness Champion, stated that the Supporting People Grant which was introduced in 2003 provides support to a wide range of for vulnerable people who are facing a variety of issues.  Councillor Mudd mentioned that a number of people find themselves in difficulties through no fault of their own. Councillor Mudd described some of the schemes provided by the Grant. She made specific reference to the incidence of domestic violence.

Councillor Mudd stated that the Grant provides help for a preventative service which helps reduce demand and consequently reduces the call on other budgets. It is of major strategic importance to the authority and provides hope for individuals. Some 56,000 people were supported across Wales in 2014-2015 by this cross- cutting initiative. In England there had been significant cuts but in Wales the funding remained ring-fenced but the Welsh Government was reviewing the position. The continuation of the grant was crucial to the continuing support to help vulnerable people. Councillor Mudd considered there was a need to send a clear message to the Welsh Government on this issue.

Councillors Townsend, Truman, M Evans, Wilcox, Atwell, Bond, Guy  and Cockeram  spoke in favour of the proposal with comments made including

·         This was a programme that could change lives

·         The programme saves money further down the line by maintaining independence and providing preventative measures for vulnerable people

·         There were significant benefits to individuals and their families

·         Outcomes and results were noteworthy in many cases

·         There were a number of organisations, families and individuals in Newport benefitting from services being provided by the grant 

·         For every pound invested some £2.30 was saved. Welsh Government was urged not to make any reduction in this grant

·         The Grant clearly plays a role in tackling the effects of poverty

·         It  helps mitigate the effect of welfare reform

·         Preventative programmes are essentially invest to save projects

·         We have over £6m coming into supporting people in Newport. The Council would need to find a similar amount if the funds were not received

·         The use of the Grant was outcome focussed

Resolved

To adopt the motion as set out in full above