Issue - meetings

This report provides the Executive Member for Finance, Performance,

Major Projects. and Equalities in consultation with theExecutive Member

for Children, Young People and Educationwith the Financial

Inclusion/Welfare Benefits outturn report 2023/24.

Resolved: That;

1.   The details of the report with regard to providing support to residents during the ongoing cost of living crisis is noted.

2.   The capping of the monthly spend from YFAS and reduction in individual awards to ensure the council can continue to provide emergency support to the end of the 2024/25 financial year is noted.

3.   Any decision-making relating to any extended or new Household Support Fund requirements is delegated to the Director of Finance.

Reason:     To ensure councillors, residents and stakeholder groups are aware of the ongoing financial inclusion activity across the city.  The use of associated funding including cost of living support and their impacts. 

The Executive Members considered a report that detailed 2023/24 Financial Inclusion/Welfare Benefits outturn. The Director of Housing and Communities outlined the report. The Head of Customer and Exchequer Services explained the support available to residents. The Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education thanked all staff doing working in communities and schools. He noted that the current scheme for holiday food was designed to last until Christmas and questioned what would happen next. The Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion thanked those involved for their work, especially over the last year adding that it that people still could not afford basics of heating and eating at present.

The Welfare Benefits Manager noted the proactive contact with households already in contact with Adult Social Care and other services regarding additional credit they may be missing out on and that it was estimated that arund another 1200 households could be claiming pension credit. The Head of Customer and Exchequer Services noted that many pensioners had lost their winter fuel allowance and the council was trying to identify people through the Depart for Work and Pensions data. Once those numbers were known, the council would look to allocate money from the Household Support Fund and fuel vouchers. Following consideration of the report, the Executive Members then;

Resolved:   That;

1.    The details of the report with regard to providing support to residents during the ongoing cost of living crisis is noted.

2.    The capping of the monthly spend from YFAS and reduction in individual awards to ensure the council can continue to provide emergency support to the end of the 2024/25 financial year is noted.

3.    Any decision-making relating to any extended or new Household Support Fund requirements is delegated to the Director of Finance.

Reason:     To ensure councillors, residents and stakeholder groups are aware of the ongoing financial inclusion activity across the city.  The use of associated funding including cost of living support and their impacts.