Issue details

Proposed decision:

The Leader is asked to consider taking the decision to:

a)    accept £3,112,501 domestic abuse funding (2022/23) for delivery of domestic abuse support in safe accommodation duties as defined by the Domestic Abuse Act,

b)    delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Strategic and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Leader, the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care & Health and the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education to accept future years’ allocations of safe accommodation funding, provided funding is given on similar terms,

c)    continue to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Strategic and Corporate Services to take other necessary actions, including but not limited to entering into contracts or other legal agreements, as required to implement this decision.

Reason for the decision:

£125 million is being allocated to local authorities for the delivery of their domestic abuse duties (safe accommodation) in 2022 to 2023 with £3,112,501 allocated to Kent. A decision is needed to accept the funding.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 placed new duties on local authorities across England to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and their children can access the right support in safe accommodation when they need it.

Within the Domestic Abuse Act definitions of safe accommodation includes refuge, dispersed accommodation (non-communal supported accommodation), sanctuary schemes (security provision within a survivor’s home) and move-on accommodation where some levels of support are still required. Funding associated with the Act is to provide support services for those in these forms of accommodation.

Options:

The safe accommodation funding is to support compliance with the new statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act.  The option of turning down the grant was discarded as there are many people in Kent who will benefit from this resource.