Issue - meetings

East Surrey Outreach Service (e.S.O.S) is an assertive outreach service for rough sleepers and non-priority-need homeless people.

Current funding for the project finishes on 31 March 2017 and further funding of £25,000 is required to continue the service for 2017/18. The three other partner local authorities are seeking further approval for match funding.

Following consideration, the Committee:

(1)          Requests the Strategy and Resources Committee, as part of the 2017/18 budget setting process, to consider a growth bid in relation to the 2017/18 Budget of up to £25,000 to enable the ESOS Outreach Service to continue.

The Committee received a report requesting approval to funding for the continuation of the East Surrey Outreach Service (e.S.O.S.) in 2017/18. Funding of up to £25,000 was requested for the continuation of the service.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Availability of external funding. The Housing Operations Manager informed the Committee that it was hoped that funding for the continuation of the service would be received from Government grant, as a fund of £10m had recently been announced. If such grant funding was received, it would reduce the funding required from the Council.

b)            Agreement of local authorities. The Committee noted that e.S.O.S. was currently funded by (and operated in) Mole Valley, Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge Boroughs/Districts. Each Council would consider whether it wished to continue to support the service. The Committee was informed that if an authority withdrew its support for e.S.O.S., Officers anticipated that the service would continue and would be reduced in size to operate only in those areas which provided funding.

Following consideration, the Committee:

(1)          Requested the Strategy and Resources Committee, as part of the 2017/18 budget setting process, to consider a growth bid in relation to the 2017/18 Budget of up to £25,000 to enable the ESOS Outreach Service to continue.