Decision details

Purpose of Report: To present the recommendations of officers and the panel relating to awards for the Financial Inclusion Grant Scheme Awards 2021/22. These will be funded for up to one year projects that deliver the Council's Financial Inclusion and Council Plan objectives.

The Executive Member will be asked to support the recommendations.

Resolved: That approval be given to the award of £113,276 of grants to fund the following seven projects to deliver financial inclusion activities in the city:

1.   £5,818 to the Older Citizens Advocacy York (OCAY) Benefits Advocacy project to provide advocacy support to help with applications, assessments and appeals

2.   £13,229 to the Citizens’ Advice York Financial Inclusion at GP surgeries project to continue to develop co-ordinated advice work located in GP practices.

3.   £5,385 to the Citizens’ Advice York Financial Inclusion in the Traveller Community project to work with the Travellers Trust to deliver and co-ordinate advice services to the Gypsy & Traveller community.

4.   £25,057 to the Peasholme Charity My Money, My Life project to continue the delivery if its financial capability pathway service

5.   £13,900 to the Welfare Benefits Unit advice Extra project to extend the reach of services to underpin first tier advisors in responding to more complex cases.

6.   £19,262 to the Experience Counts 50+ Project to deliver four employment related programmes to residents aged 50+ 

7.   £30,625 to Changing Lives for a Financial & Social Inclusion Worker to support vulnerable and hard to reach residents to gain financial independence

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