Decision details

Purpose of Report: To present the recommendations of officers and the panel relating to awards for the Financial Inclusion Innovation Fund. These will be funded for up to one year projects that deliver the Council's Financial Inclusion and Council Plan objectives.

The Executive Member is asked to approve the recommendations of officers and the panel relating to awards for the Financial Inclusion Innovation Fund.

Resolved: That approval be given to the award of £100,000 of grants to fund the following six projects to deliver financial inclusion activities in the city:

1.   5,500 to the Older Citizens Advocacy York (OCAY) Benefits Advocacy project to provide advocacy support to help with applications, assessments and appeals

2.   £13,000* to the Citizens’ Advice York Financial Inclusion at GP surgeries project to continue to develop co-ordinated advice work located in GP practices

3.    £30,026 to Citizens’ Advice York Advice, Information & Budgeting in community settings project to continue to provide and develop community settings for advice

4.   £23,426 to the Peasholme Charity My Money, My Life project to continue delivery if its financial capability pathway service

5.   £12,898 to the Welfare Benefits Unit Universal Credit Focus project to continue to provide second tier in depth support to advisers

6.   £15,150* Changing Lives Financial & Social Inclusion Worker project to support vulnerable and hard to reach residents to gain financial independence.

* Note: two bids were partially funded

Reason:     To ensure that funds set aside to support the delivery of financial inclusion activity are allocated appropriately.