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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
Decision Session - Executive Member for Finance and Performance |
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Date |
16 March 2022 |
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Present |
Councillor Ayre (Executive Member for Finance and Performance) |
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Apologies |
Councillor Craghill (Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods) |
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12. Declarations of Interest
The Executive Member was asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that he might have had in respect of business on the agenda. He confirmed he had none.
13. Minutes
Resolved: That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 13 February 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Executive Member.
14. Public Participation
It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak
at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
15. Approval of Financial Inclusion Grant Funding and Awards 2022/23
The Executive Member considered a report that sought approval of the recommended awards of grants under the Financial Inclusion Grant Funding and Awards scheme following a round of competitive bids and a selection panel process. The Director of Customer and Communities detailed the funding available noting that it fed into managing the impacts of the Covid pandemic and cost of living increases. The innovation behind the Blueberry Academy and IT reuse projects was highlighted. The Director of Customer and Communities noted that the Citizen Advice York GP surgery was not on the list as it was to be funded separately by public health.
The Executive Member welcomed the grants awards and noted that they contributed to some of the most essential work as a Local Authority. He noted the extra funding that had been secured for public health which had increased available funding for grants. He then;
Resolved: That approval be given to the award of £157,062 of grants to fund nine projects for 2022/23 as set out below to deliver a range of financial inclusion activities in the city. There is an approved budget of £150,000 for 2022/23 and a carried forward underspend from 2021/22 of £7,726 giving an available total of £157,726. All projects are of a twelve month duration.
1. £9,000 to the Blueberry Academy for the Blueberry 50/50 On Line Marketplace project to run an on line market for young people with learning difficulties to manage on line sales for recycled/reuse items generating income and acquiring skills from their enterprise activities.
2. £19,320 to Experience Counts for their 50+ Project to deliver four employment related programmes to residents aged 50+.
3. £19,479* to Changing Lives for their Financial & Social Inclusion Worker to support vulnerable and hard to reach residents to gain financial independence.
4. £13,480 to Refugee Action York (RAY) for their Advice & Support – Equal Access for All project in collaboration with CAY provide support to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants to access practical support, information and guidance relieve hardship, reduce isolation, advance education and improve integration.
5. £27,543 to the Peasholme Charity for the My Money, My Life project to continue delivery of its financial capability pathway service.
6. £5,385 to Citizens’ Advice York for the Financial Inclusion in the Traveller Community project to continue project working with the Travellers Trust to deliver and co-ordinate advice services to the Gypsy & Traveller Community.
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7. £18,692 to Age UK (York) for the Reaching Out to Older People in their Community project to enhance the financial stability of older people (50+) living on a low income, promoting improved health and wellbeing, reducing reliance on other services, and to help retain their independence. A partnership with OCAY (Older Citizens Advocacy York), Friends of St Nicholas Fields & York Energy Advice.
8. £26,864* IT Reuse for the IT Reuse project to provide those on low incomes with a refurbished computer to alleviate digital poverty helping to reduce financial exclusion to enable people to manage their finances, apply for benefits, learn new skills, apply for jobs, access banking and find better on-line deals. Donated unwanted IT equipment is repaired and configured by volunteers to distribute to those who experience financial and digital exclusion.
9. £17,299 to the Welfare Benefits Unit for Advice Extra to extend reach of services to underpin first tier advisors in responding to more complex cases. *projects part funded
Reason: To ensure that funds set aside to support the delivery of financial inclusion activity are allocated appropriately.
Cllr N Ayre
, Chair [The meeting started at 12.30 pm and finished at 12.38 pm].
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