Issue - meetings

This report outlines the transfer of funding previously used for ‘Community Care Grants’ and ‘Crisis Loans’  by the Department of Work & Pensions and proposals for a replacement scheme that will also help to deliver the priorities set down in the Financial Inclusion Strategy as approved by Cabinet on 6^th November 2012.

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.

The Cabinet considered a report which provided details of the transfer of funding, previously used for ‘Community Care Grants’ and ‘Crisis Loans’  by the Department of Work and Pensions, with proposals for a replacement scheme that would help to deliver the priorities in the Financial Inclusion Strategy.

It was proposed to administer a one year interim scheme to allow time to develop a comprehensive localised support scheme in partnership with other key agencies in the city. Details of the phased approach to be undertaken to support the changing needs of the local community and the types of proposed assistance were set out at paragraphs 17 to 29 of the report. Further information on the type of items covered, application numbers and awards made over the last two years were also set out in the report.

As there was an expectation by, and funding from, the Government to establish an appropriate scheme to operate from April 2013, it was reported that the only option proposed was to establish a scheme with future additional funding solutions.

An additional option suggested was to review in full, and consult on, changes to the scheme to reflect local priorities in line with the Council Plan 2011-15 and the Financial Inclusion Strategy.

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. ^1. 

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. ^2.

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.