Issue - meetings

This paper provides the Executive Member for Finance & Performance and the Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods with the current position of the Government funded Covid-19 Hardship Fund. The paper recommends the continuation of the scheme through council funding and also the existing additional covid-19 welfare schemes to 31 March 2021.

Resolved: That;  

a)   The financial support provided to residents to date be noted.

b)   Approval be given to the extension of the hardship scheme with council funding to 31 March 2021

c)   Approval be given to the continuation of the community based welfare support and discretionary free school meals as set out at Table 1.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the councils most financially vulnerable residents during the covid-19 pandemic.

This item was considered in consultation with Cllr Craghill (Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods).

The Executive Members considered a report that provided them with an update on the current position of the Government funded Covid-19 Hardship Fund and broader welfare support through the £1.2m funding provided by the council. The paper recommended the continuation of the Hardship scheme and broader welfare support including discretionary school meals, internet access, and community hub support including food parcels through council funding  to 31 March 2021.

The Assistant Director Customer and Digital Services outlined the report and provided an update on the funds made available from the government for the hardship scheme now been exhausted. The Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods welcomed all the proposals for extending the financial support l. She expressed concern regarding the council running out of Government funding and the need for council support likely increasing over the winter months. The Executive Member for Finance and Performance added that whilst government funding was helpful it did not cover all costs. He thanked staff for their continued support.

It was:

Resolved: That; 

                     i.        The financial support provided to residents to date be noted.

                    ii.        Approval be given to the extension of the hardship scheme with council funding to 31 March 2021

                  iii.        Approval be given to the continuation of the community based welfare support and discretionary free school meals as set out at Table 1.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the councils most financially vulnerable residents during the covid-19 pandemic.