Decision details

Purpose of report: The report will provide background information with regards to the transfer of the Social Fund from DWP to local authorities and to agree proposals for administering a local scheme. Members are asked to: agree the new local scheme and arrangements for delivering the new local service in York.

RESOLVED:                That Cabinet agree to:

i)             Approve the approach to establishing an initial York Financial Assistance Scheme from 1^st April 2013 with the detail of the scheme delegated to the Director of CBSS to finalise, subject to the approval of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services. 

ii)       Approve the approach to reviewing the initial scheme in 2013 with a view to implementing a revised localised partnership based scheme from 1^st April 2014 (as set out in paragraphs 18, 19 and 28 of the report).

iii)      Consider as part of the 2013/15 budget setting process, any opportunities to add council funds to the base budget of York Financial Assistance Scheme to give greater scope to assist individual residents, families and communities in financial difficulty.

REASON:           To ensure there is no gap in provision of urgent financial resources available to our most vulnerable residents at times of crisis or other difficulty.  To mitigate the impacts of wide ranging welfare benefits changes. To meet the priorities set down in the Council Plan and Financial Inclusion Strategy.