Decision

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy and Place seeking approval to accept the Enhanced Live Well Grant and to agree the associated spend plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing introduced the report. The Head of Strategic Housing (People) and the Housing Project Officer (Homelessness) presented the report and responded to questions and comments from Cabinet Members.

Officers advised that the report sought approval to accept the three-year allocation of the Enhanced Live Well Grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for the period 2026 to 2029, with a total value of £1.8 million. Members were informed that the grant combined funding from the Changing Futures Phase 2 programme, delegated to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the Multiple Disadvantage Grant from the Integrated Settlement.

The report also outlined the proposed procurement activity to be undertaken using the grant funding, with the aim of supporting the delivery of services for residents experiencing multiple disadvantages and complex needs.

Resolved:

1. That the terms of the grant be noted;
2. That the acceptance of the three-year allocation totalling £1,800,000 be agreed;
3. That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Interim Director of Corporate Services, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing, the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Growth and the Assistant Director Legal, Governance and Coroners, to enter into all necessary grant agreements and associated documentation;
4. That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing to approve the progression of all necessary procurement activity, the entering into and award of any associated contracts required to deliver the programme, in accordance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules;
5. That Delegated authority be granted to the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing, to approve and incur all necessary expenditure within the allocated budget in accordance with programme delivery.

Reason for decision:

Accepting the grant and delegating the approval of procurement would enable the Council to procure a programme of support - Enhanced Live Well, which complemented Strategic Housing’s and the Council’s aims under Live Well.

Accepting the grant and procuring this programme would ensure a comprehensive service safeguards vulnerable individuals, supports strategic objectives including early intervention, tenancy sustainment, reducing repeat homelessness and ending rough sleeping.

This funding and the service the Council intended to commission was required to meet the need of residents who are experiencing multiple disadvantages, including homelessness, mental or physical health challenges, domestic abuse, contact with the criminal justice system and substance use.

This programme would support Strategic Housing’s aims of prioritising prevention and holistic support with a specific and bespoke offer for residents of Rochdale who are experiencing multiple disadvantage.

This programme would also build on the recommendations from the Housing and Mental Health Task and Finish Group, namely ensuring a multi-agency working protocol to identify and respond to risk before crisis through a co-ordinated response.

The programme would include many of the essential elements of the framework, including sustained engagement, multi-agency coordination and decision-making, improved data sharing, discretionary and flexible financial responses and trauma-informed practice.

The grant provided an opportunity for the Council to sustainably fund a multi year programme of support for residents of the Borough and drive lasting ystem change across commissioning, early intervention and funding integration. The programme would be commissioned directly into the local market and contract(s) awarded directly to local providers i.e. charities and/or VCSFE providers.

Alternatives considered and rejected:

The Council could choose to exercise one of the following options.

Option One – Do nothing Decline the funding by not taking appropriate steps to enter into a GFA. It would represent a missed opportunity for a more sustainable funding to support some of the most vulnerable individuals in the borough and achieve lasting system and culture change.

Option Two – Accept the funding allocation and enter into Grant Funding Agreement with the GMCA and delegate authority to procure and award contracts. Proceeding on this basis would provide additional resource which the Council can deploy to support delivery of key strategic and operational objectives namely, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage, removing barrier to accessing services and creating lasting changes across the system to support marginalised groups.