Homelessness will be back on the agenda for a council trying to find ways of tackling spiralling costs.

Leading Arun councillors will debate a homelessness strategy for the district on Monday.

During the past few months the council has been looking at radical ways of trying to reduce the costs to taxpayers of putting homeless people up in emergency accommodation.

Among the ideas backed by councillors is urging homeless families to move to the north of England.

The Fresh Start Scheme was announced as part of a package of measures under the council's first homelessness action plan.

Details of properties available in the North will be sent to people in the area and relocation expenses met.

Council leaders intend to move five families during the next 12 months and have set aside £10,000 to cover the costs.

In addition to the relocation project, the authority plans to introduce a £500 DIY finders fee for homeless people who find their own long-term accommodation.

An extra £500 will be paid if they renew their lease after 12 months.

On Monday, councillors will be asked to approve the strategy, which is due to come into force by August.

Councillors are pledging to develop a more strategic approach to tackling homelessness and strengthening the help available to homeless people or those at risk of becoming homeless.

They are also encouraging new responses to tackling homelessness and aiming to reduce the use of emergency bed and breakfast accommodation and try to keep the number of people sleeping rough to a minimum.