Purpose

To seek approval to utilise the Homes for
Ukraine (HFU) Scheme grant funding received by the County Council
from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
(MHCLG) to extend the ‘Deposit and Rent in Advance’
scheme to support Ukrainian guests’ transition into
independent accommodation from April 2025 for a maximum of three
years.

Decision

In coming to this decision I have given due
and full regard to the requirements of the public sector equality
duty contained in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (“the
Act”) by reference to the law itself and also the relevant
Equality Impact Assessment, which was prepared in accordance with
the requirements of the Act.  
 
Having fully considered all the available
information, I have decided to reject the alternative options and
take the recommended decision to: 
 
Approve the allocation of up to £490,000
from the HFU tariff funding to continue the ‘Deposit and Rent
in Advance’ scheme available to Ukrainian guests on the HFU
scheme, for a maximum of three years from 1st April
2025. Under the scheme each Ukrainian guest group shall be eligible
to receive a standard 5-week deposit and one month’s rent in
advance, to assist them in moving to the Private Rental Sector
(PRS) as outlined in Appendix 2 of this report. Such funding shall
be allocated by the County Council following completion of
satisfactory checks by the relevant District Council, as detailed
in this report. 
 
For the reasons set out in the
report.