Issue - meetings

Extension of Winter Grants Scheme

This paper recommends to the Executive Member for Finance and Performancein consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, that the winter grants scheme is extended in line with the Governments additional funding to 16 April 2021.

Decision:

Resolved: That approval be given to:

a) Extending the Winter Grants scheme through to 16^th April 2021 with an estimated additional cost to the council of approx. £5k above the £200k set out in Februarys report and as set out at Table 2.

b) Limit the April Winter Support Grant payments to 16^th April rather than a full monthly payment as set out at paragraph 11.

c) Delegate any decision to spend above the revised £205k to the councils section 151 officer in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance & Performance as set out at paragraph 13.

Reason: To provide financial support to the city’s most financially vulnerable residents through the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

Minutes:

The Executive Members considered a report recommending the extension of the winter grants scheme in line with the Governments additional funding to 16 April 2021.

The Head of Customer & Exchequer Services outlined the extension of the scheme noting that whilst the council did not have the funding to continue the scheme beyond April 2021, any remaining budget in the York Financial Assistance (YFAS) scheme would be rolled forward. The Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods expressed concern regarding the lack of funding from the government. The Executive Member for Finance and Performance noting that the local authority had done as much as it could and he welcomed the extension of the scheme. It was then: