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South Holland District Council warned of £353,000 service overspend due to rise in number of people seeking help for homelessness




Council leaders have been warned of a £353,000 projected overspend for its services after seeing a rise in the number of people seeking help for homelessness.

South Holland District Council is currently supporting more than 30 families with temporary accommodation but many more will be receiving information and advice as the cost of living crisis continues to hit many families across the area.

However the financial impact of this and other issues will be raised during an extra meeting of the authority’s cabinet on Tuesday next week.

Coun Paul Redgate is the finance portfolio holder for South Holland District Council
Coun Paul Redgate is the finance portfolio holder for South Holland District Council

A report to the meeting states that the first three months of financial data has been used to provide a full-year forecast in ‘what is a volatile and inflationary environment’.

It states: “The net cost of services is currently forecast to overspend by £289,000. The efficiency savings so far identified are 63% of the target of £887,000 (£556,000). The non-services income and expenditure is forecast to overspend by £64,000. This results in a full year forecast overspend of £353,000 for the General Fund based on current projections and assumptions.

“The major variances relate to people pressures due to people seeking assistance for homelessness, increased investment income and further savings targets.”

The finance report presented to councillors states that the number of people seeking assistance for homelessness had ‘remained consistently above the projected levels’.

A council spokesman said: “Homelessness is a national issue which local authorities across England have a legal duty to assist people who are legally homeless or will become homeless within the next eight weeks.

“Each council receives a homelessness prevention grant each year which will offset some but not all of the costs associated with providing the service. Working with customers as early as possible before they are made homeless is always the best option. For example, if they are having difficulties through the cost-of-living crisis we may be able to signpost to further assistance.

“However, there are times when customers may need our assistance with temporary accommodation until further housing options can be found. Currently, we are supporting over 30 households with temporary accommodation however there will be many other households we are supporting with information and housing advice.

“As always SHDC is keen to support customers through these difficult times. Should anyone be concerned about becoming homeless or are already homeless please do call the council on 01775 761161 for assistance.”

The financial report which is being presented to next week’s cabinet meeting also highlights that South Holland Centre’s power was over budget and is appealing over the theatre’s business rates.

It also highlights that the authority is bringing in agency workers in Neighbourhoods along with Leisure and Wellbeing departments.

The general fund capital programme earmarks £300,000 earmarked for Moulton Park and ‘new Sheep Market’ along with £49,000 for Ayscoughfee and £36,000 for ‘West Marsh Road depot projects’.

The council has forecast £100,000 for the boiler at the council offices in Priory Road and £142,000 for the South Holland Centre.



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