Agenda item

This report outlines proposals for introducing a new model of support for Brent residents from April 2024, which has been developed through the piloting of Cost-of-Living Outcome Based Review (OBR) projects and guided by a series of Design Principles.  The report proposes a single, joined-up model including development of a Community Wellbeing Programme aligned with a refreshed Resident Support Fund (RSF), designed to support residents to be more resilient in the longer term and align more closely with strategic priorities and related projects.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To agree the proposed model for resident support, including a Community Wellbeing Programme and refreshed Resident Support Fund and Crisis Response Fund (CRF) as detailed from section 4.21 in the report.

(2)    To agree that:

(a)    the access criteria for the Community Wellbeing Service (detailed from section 4.24 of the report) be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resident Services in consultation with the Director of Public Health; and

(b)    authority to amend the award criteria for RSF and CRF funds be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resident Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Customers, Communities and Culture.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 12 February 24

Councillor Donnelly-Jackson (Cabinet Member for Customers, Communities & Culture) presented a report detailing proposals for the introduction of a new model of support for Brent residents from April 2024, which had been developed through the piloting of Cost-of-Living Outcome Based Review (OBR) projects guided by a series of approved design principles.

In considering the report, Cabinet noted the outline of the design principles used to guide development of the proposed new model which had included the need to support residents in becoming more resilient and independent; the support available being targeted and easily accessible to those most in need; the model seeking to incentivise skills and employment and address physical and mental health challenges as well as being aligned with and supporting connectivity between related support offers on an intelligence-led and sustainable basis.  Members also noted the engagement of a range of local organisations and stakeholders in the pilot projects used to support development of the model which had included (as detailed in section 4.8 and Appendix 2 of the report) a Community and Wellbeing Project working with Sufra NW London, the establishment of a Crisis Response Fund, Provision of Debt and Immigration Advice as well as a project aimed at upskilling frontline staff to provide specialist advice.

As a result of the designed work undertaken, the recommended option was to establish a single, joined-up model including development of a Community Wellbeing Programme aligned with a refreshed Resident Support Fund (RSF), designed to support residents to be more resilient in the longer term and align more closely with strategic priorities including the Health & Wellbeing and Brent Food Strategies.

Given ongoing uncertainty in relation to the level of government funding for the Household Support Fund that would be available to local authorities from 2024-25 onwards members welcomed, despite the significant financial challenges faced by the Council, the £1m investment included within the current budget proposals towards support of the new and more sustainable version of the Resident Support model proposed within the report.  Cabinet also commended the vision supporting the model in seeking to focus on more sustainable outcomes through a behaviour-centred approach which included the ability to support residents in a more holistic way by enhancing their opportunities in the longer-term, promoting independence and reducing dependency on other services in order to maximise use of the funding support available.

Whilst recognising importance and legacy of the support provided through the current arrangements, members also supported the need identified, given the challenging nature of the funding position, for the proposed change in approach and in thanked all those involved in development of the new support model Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To agree the proposed model for resident support, including a Community Wellbeing Programme and refreshed Resident Support Fund and Crisis Response Fund (CRF) as detailed from section 4.21 in the report.

(2)    To agree that:

(a)    the access criteria for the Community Wellbeing Service (detailed from section 4.24 of the report) be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resident Services in consultation with the Director of Public Health; and

(b)    authority to amend the award criteria for RSF and CRF funds be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resident Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Customers, Communities and Culture.