The Scottish Government

Visiting the Wayside Day Centre in Glasgow, currently a drop in centre for men, Mr Chisholm said this is a good example of the type of project which will be supported through this Initiative.

The Minister continued:

"Today I am announcing the allocation of nearly £11 million to projects throughout Scotland which will make significant improvements in the lives of many who for one reason or another find themselves sleeping rough.

"The Rough Sleepers Initiative is intended to encourage local authorities and others to understand the extent of the rough sleeping problem in their area and to develop facilities and services to address the problem. £16 million has been made available between now and the year 2000 to fund such projects. Sixteen local authorities submitted bids which were assessed by an advisory group whose recommendations I have accepted. Thirteen local authorities, ranging from the cities to rural authorities, will receive funding for a range of projects.

"I have decided at this stage not to allocate the full budget of £16 million but to reserve around £5 million for future bidding rounds. Some authorities' strategies require further development. Other authorities, particularly in rural areas, are still assessing the extent of the problem. It is important that they be given the time to do this, and that we hold some funds back to meet the needs they then identify. Further bidding rounds will be announced at a later date."

BACKGROUND

1. The allocations are as follows:-

Glasgow City Council - Approval for a range of projects covering streetwork, accommodation and resettlement.
1997-98 - £1,072,900; 1998-99 - £2,003,400; 1999-2000 - £1,903,300; Total - £4,979,600.

City of Edinburgh Council - Approval for a range of projects covering streetwork, accommodation and resettlement.
1997-98 - £821,000; 1998-99 - £2,171,000; 1999-2000 - £1,440,000; Total - £4,432,000.

Perth & Kinross Council - Outreach and resettlement service linked to night shelter using Perth Model Lodging House accommodation.
1997-98 - £137,000; 1998-99 - £293,900; 1999-2000 - £309,000; Total - £739,900.

Dundee City Council - Outreach and resettlement service based on original proposals. Proposals for replacement Comfort and Support Centre require further development.
1997-98 - £70,300; 1998-99 - £149,800; 1999-2000 - £86,600; Total £306,700.

Fife Council - Cornerstone project for 6 months trial. Recognise that the outcome may lead to a further bid.
1997-98 - £141,535; 1998-99 - nil; 1999-2000 - nil; Total - £141,535.

Inverclyde Council - 1.5 outreach workers for 2 years 5 months.
1997-98 - £13,600; 1998-99 - £33,500; 1999-2000 - £34,300; Total £81,400.

Renfrewshire Council - 2 part time development workers for 2 years 5 months.
1997-98 - £10,100; 1998-99 - £24,800; 1999-2000 - £25,500; Total £60,400.

North & South Ayrshire Council - 2 outreach workers for 18 months.
1997-98 - £15,000; 1998-99 - £46,100; 1999-2000 - £7,900; Total £69,000.

North Lanarkshire Council - 2 outreach workers for 12 months.
1997-98 - £16,800; 1998-99 - £24,200; 1999-2000 - nil; Total £41,000.

South Lanarkshire Council - 2 outreach workers for 12 months.
1997-98 - £16,600; 1998-99 - £23,800; 1999-2000 - nil; Total £40,400.

Moray Council - 1.5 outreach workers for 12 months.
1997-98 - £14,600; 1998-99 - £20,900; 1999-2000 - nil; Total £35,500.

Highland Council - Funding for research for 12 months.
1997-98 - £16,700; 1998-99 - £16,800; 1999-2000 - nil; Total £33,500.

East Lothian Council - Research with matching funding from the authority.
1997-98 - £20,000; 1998-99 - nil; 1999-2000 - nil; Total - £20,000.

Aberdeen City Council - No funding allocated.

West Lothian Council - No funding at present. Bid needs to be further developed particularly in relation to outreach and resettlement work and to assess the cross-border problem.

Shetland Islands Council - No funding allocated.

2. Guidelines issued on 28 February invited local authorities, in partnership with other local bodies, to measure the problem of rough sleeping in their areas and to submit schemes to tackle this. Local authorities were asked to submit their proposals by the end of July.

3. Bids were received from 16 local authorities, including both rural and urban authorities, and a couple of other authorities noted their interest in the Rough Sleepers Initiative.

4. The bids were assessed by an Advisory Group set up to provide advice on the merits of the bids submitted. The group was chaired by The Scottish Office and included representatives from the Scottish Council for Single Homeless, local authorities, Scottish Homes, Shelter Scotland and the voluntary sector.

5. There was a tremendous variation in the bids. Different authorities are at different stages in considering the extent of the problem of rough sleeping in their areas, and in developing their strategies. In the light of this, the Advisory Group recommended that some funds should be reserved for future allocations as local authorities develop their strategies and make proposals.

6. Guidelines will issue in the spring about a bidding round in 1998-99.

7. Letters are issuing to all those authorities which submitted a bid or expressed an interest to let them know the outcome.

8. Scottish Homes will administer the funds for the Initiative and will shortly issue Offers of Grant to successful local authorities.