The Local Assistance Network (LAN) was established in 2013 to replace a number of discretionary benefits for households in crisis situations which had previously been available through the benefits system. A ring-fenced grant to support this spending was originally provided by the Department of Work and Pensions but this was removed in 2015. Although the scale of the County Council’s commitment has reduced since then, and following a Cabinet Member decision in December 2018, the LAN budget is currently £200,000 per annum.
The Cabinet Member will be asked to agree to the further reduction of Local Assistance Network (LAN) funding to £100,000 per annum from 2020/21.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 30/07/2019
Decision due: December 2019 by Cabinet
Lead member: Councillor Amanda Jupp amanda.jupp@westsussex.gov.uk
Contact: Sarah Farragher, Head of Adult Services Improvement Programme Email: sarah.farragher@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 28403.
Consultation process
Representations should be made to the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health at County Hall, Chichester by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.
Consultees
District and Borough Councils and Voluntary Sector Partners.
Democratic Services Contact: Erica Keegan - 0330 22 26050
Background3: Independence in Later Life