Agenda item

This report is part of a six monthly review process to inform Cabinet of the progress made in delivering the work of the Financial Inclusion Steering Group together with an update on the performance, and demand for YFAS since April 2014, including comparative data from 2013/14.

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree to:

(i)           Note the performance of the York Financial Assistance Scheme for the first 5 months of 2014/15 as compared to 2013/14.

(ii)          The changes to the scheme proposed in the report with the final detail to be approved by the Director of Customer and Business Support Services in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Performance before implementation by 1st April 2015.

(iii)        Commit to maintaining the YFAS funding at its current levels (inclusive of grant) and considering in principle (subject to the full budget approval), the use of additional council tax from technical changes introduced 1 April 2014 being directed towards the YFAS scheme from April 2015.

(iv)        Approve the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (s13) at Annex C of the report.

Reason:   To ensure Cabinet can properly plan for future financial pressures relating to the York Financial Assistance Scheme.

Consideration was given to a report which informed Cabinet of progress made in delivering the work of the Financial Inclusion Steering Group. In particular the performance of York’s Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS) and noting that the Government would  commit to make a final decision in respect of funding shortly, to allow the Council to plan for provision during 2015/16.  

Building on the progress and achievements of previous years the report outlined the key successes of 2014/15 which included details of all grants made to date. It was noted that following discussions with agencies in the York Benefits Forum a list of measures had been put forward that could be applied to YFAS to bring about changes which would allow continued delivery of the service by CYC Customer Services.

Following consultation the following options had been put forward for consideration:

1.          No change to the scheme but consider the investment required to continue the current arrangements;

2.          Adopt the changes outlined in the report and again consider the financial commitment to be made to the scheme in future years;

3.          Cease the scheme.  Whilst all claim expenditure will stop, there will be the additional redundancies of two staff members and associated costs to fund.

The Cabinet Member referred to the high level of uptake for emergency assistance by residents, who often found themselves in desperate situations and to the robust checks undertaken to ensure a persons eligibility.

Following further discussions it was

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree to:

(i)           Note the performance of the York Financial Assistance Scheme for the first 5 months of 2014/15 as compared to 2013/14.

(ii)          The changes to the scheme proposed in the report with the final detail to be approved by the Director of Customer and Business Support Services in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Performance before implementation by 1st April 2015. ^1.

(iii)        Commit to maintaining the YFAS funding at its current levels (inclusive of grant) and considering in principle (subject to the full budget approval), the use of additional council tax from technical changes introduced 1 April 2014 being directed towards the YFAS scheme from April 2015.

(iv)        Approve the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (s13) at Annex C of the report. ^2.

Reason:   To ensure Cabinet can properly plan for future financial pressures relating to the York Financial Assistance Scheme.