Issue - meetings

This report presents the Executive Member for Finance & Performance in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods with the following matters:

·        To consider and approve the renewed Service Level Agreement with the Welfare Benefits Unit for the next three financial years;

·        To receive an update on the Financial Inclusion Steering Group (FISG) 2022/23 grant scheme;

·        To consider and approve the funding of a Community Involvement Officer to deliver actions relating to food poverty priorities in the city including priorities set down in the Right to Food Motion approved at Full Council in October 2021;

·        To approve an amendment to the Executive decision made on 30 September 2021 for digital inclusion funding for a year, to extend this for 18 months at no extra cost.

Resolved:

                     i.        That the Service Level Agreement for the Welfare Benefits Unit at Annex A for a period of 3 years 2022 to 2025 at a cost of £22,700 per year (as detailed in paragraphs 3-6 of the report) be approved;

                    ii.        That the criteria and progress of the 2022/23 FISG grant scheme including the approvals of awards at the next Executive Member Decision Session for Finance & Performance on 16 March 2022 (as detailed in see paragraphs 7-12 of the report) be noted;

                  iii.        That £39k funding for a Community Involvement Officer role to deliver actions relating to food poverty priorities in the city be approved.  This will be funded from the existing York Financial Assistance Scheme Emergency Fund for one year  (as detailed in see paragraphs 13-17  and 26 of the report);

                  iv.        That the use of funding previously agreed by Executive on 30 September for a 100% Digital York Project Co-ordinator, over an 18 month period rather than a year (as detailed in see paragraph 18 and 19 of the report) be approved.

Reason:     To ensure councillors, residents and stakeholder groups are aware of the ongoing financial inclusion activity across the city and use of associated funding and approvals.  

The Executive Members considered a report that detailed a number of financial inclusion activities. The Director of Customer and   Communities gave an overview of the activities, explaining the

renewed Service Level Agreement with the Welfare Benefits Unit, updating on the Financial Inclusion Steering Group (FISG) 2022/23 grant scheme, and detailing the proposed funding of a Community Involvement Officer to deliver actions relating to food poverty priorities.

The Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods welcomed the proposals noting that the Welfare Benefits Unit did crucial work in York and she commended their advisors for this. She noted the progress of the financial inclusion grant scheme, adding that she was happy to extend the work of the digital advisors. She also welcomed the funding of the Community Involvement Officer post in addressing the right to food motion at Council. She added that the York Food Poverty Alliance brought together grass roots groups and volunteers in providing a way into more formal networks. The Executive Member for Finance and Performance noted the work of the Welfare Benefits Unit in supporting individuals and communities. It was then;

Resolved:

                     i.        That the Service Level Agreement for the Welfare Benefits Unit at Annex A for a period of 3 years 2022 to 2025 at a cost of £22,700 per year (as detailed in paragraphs 3-6 of the report) be approved;

                    ii.        That the criteria and progress of the 2022/23 FISG grant scheme including the approvals of awards at the next Executive Member Decision Session for Finance & Performance on 16 March 2022 (as detailed in see paragraphs 7-12 of the report) be noted;

                  iii.        That £39k funding for a Community Involvement Officer role to deliver actions relating to food poverty priorities in the city be approved.  This will be funded from the existing York Financial Assistance Scheme Emergency Fund for one year  (as detailed in see paragraphs 13-17  and 26 of the report);

                  iv.        That the use of funding previously agreed by Executive on 30 September for a 100% Digital York Project Co-ordinator, over an 18 month period rather than a year (as detailed in see paragraph 18 and 19 of the report) be approved.

Reason:     To ensure councillors, residents and stakeholder groups are aware of the ongoing financial inclusion activity across the city and use of associated funding and approvals.  

[Cllr Craghill left the meeting at 10.10am]