Decision Session - Executive Member for Finance and Performance in in consultation with the Executive Member for
Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods (for agenda item 4 Financial Inclusion/Welfare Benefits Update Report) and Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning (for agenda item 6 Urgent Business – Additional Restrictions Grant)
Set out below is a summary of the decisions taken at the meeting of the Decision Session Executive Member for Finance and Performance held on Monday, 18 January 2021. The wording used does not necessarily reflect the actual wording that will appear in the minutes.
Members are reminded that, should they wish to call in a decision, notice must be given to Democracy Support Group no later than 4pm on the second working day after this meeting.
If you have any queries about any matters referred to in this decision sheet please contact AngelaBielby, Democracy Officer.
4. Financial Inclusion/Welfare Benefits Update Report
Resolved:
a) That the report and the progress made in supporting residents who are financially vulnerable be noted.
b) That the commencement of the 2021/22 Financial Inclusion grants scheme as described in paragraph 54 of the report be approved.
Reason: To ensure Councillors, residents and stakeholder groups are aware of the ongoing financial inclusion activity across the city and use of associated funding including covid-19 support and to be updated on welfare benefits changes and their impacts.
5. Health & Safety Update Report
Resolved:
a) That the report covering the 18 month period including the council’s response to managing and responding to significant H&S risks including those relating to the pandemic ne noted;
b) That the performance of the Shared H&S Service be noted;
c) consider any areas of H&S risk management for further reporting at future decision sessions.
Reason: To ensure the Executive Member and residents are assured that H&S services are appropriately managed and resilient and the council has proper arrangements in place for managing and responding to H&S risks.
6. Urgent Business - Additional Restrictions Grant
Resolved:
a) That the criteria for ARG grants be extended to cover:
· Eligible businesses trading at least 75% in York where the proprietor is not a York resident if support is not available the proprietor's Local Authority of residence.
· Accommodation businesses which are run outside of the NNDR regime, instead paying Council Tax, will be eligible for payments equivalent to the lowest level of grants for businesses in the rates system. This would provide grants of
· £1,334 per 28-day qualifying restriction period to such businesses
· In recognition of their strategic importance in enabling employment and the financial challenges that are currently being faced, nurseries will be eligible for payments at the higher level of £3000 per 28 day qualifying period. Other childcare businesses will be encouraged to apply under the existing criteria, with their sector added to the list of those eligible.
· Supply chain businesses which have not received mandatory rates-related grants, where they have lost at least 75% of their income due to closure of their customers, will be eligible for one-off top-up grants of £25k.
b) Should any element of this scheme be changed by subsequent government guidance it is proposed that the Executive Member delegates the decision under this scheme to the Chief Finance Officer (s151) in consultation with the Executive Member Finance and Performance/Executive Member Economy & Strategic Planning, with changes approved retrospectively in public at the next available Executive Member decision session
Reason: To support to York businesses which are affected by the Lockdown and Tier 3 restrictions but not eligible for Local Restrictions Grant (Closed) funding.