Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests.

The Executive Member was asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that he might have had in respect of business on the agenda. They confirmed he had none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 11 April 2022.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 11 April 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Executive Member.

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This paper presents the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme April to September 2022 to the Executive Member for Finance & Performancein consultation with the Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods for approval.

Resolved: That subject to the approval be given to:

a)   the council’s HSF scheme (as detailed at Annex A of the report); including the addition of Council Tax Support Customers in receipt of the High Rate Disability Living Allowance [as well as those Council Tax Support Customers in receipt of the High Rate Personal Independence Payment] for Route A – Direct Payment

b)   allocation of £50k in funding to food vouchers (as detailed at paragraph 9 and Annex A of the report);  

c)   the delegation of discretion to pay claims made within the broader scope of the scheme guidance as set out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (as detailed at Annex B of the report) to the Head of Customer & Exchequer Services.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the city’s most financially vulnerable residents through the April – September 2022 arising from the ongoing cost of living increases.

The Executive Members considered a report that presented the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme April to September 2022 for approval. The Director Customer and Communities outlined the scheme, including an amendment to Route 1a – Direct Payment to include all identified Council Tax Support (CTS) customers in receipt of High Rate Personal Independence Payment or High Rate Disability Living Allowance.

The Director Customer and Communities was asked about access for the schemes for payments for people who could not access the information online. She explained that those residents could be supported by contacting the council by telephone and they could make an appointment at the customer centre. She added that the council had tried to contact residents as quickly as possible which helped free up staff resource to help other residents requiring support.  She noted that residents could also access support through other agencies such as Citizens Advice York (CAY) acting on their behalf.

The Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods welcomed the government’s financial support with the scheme and she noted that the council had consulted advice agencies. She welcomed the proposals, in particular the £50k funding for food vouchers, which would help families pay for food. She noted the increase in children eligible for free school meals in the city. The Executive Member for Finance and Performance also welcomed the funding from government and he noted the importance of communication information on the schemes to residents. He thanked staff for their work on the schemes. They then;

Resolved: That subject to the approval be given to:

a)   the council’s HSF scheme (as detailed at Annex A of the report); including the addition of Council Tax Support Customers in receipt of the High Rate Disability Living Allowance [as well as those Council Tax Support Customers in receipt of the High Rate Personal Independence Payment] for Route A – Direct Payment

b)   allocation of £50k in funding to food vouchers (as detailed at paragraph 9 and Annex A of the report);  

c)   the delegation of discretion to pay claims made within the broader scope of the scheme guidance as set out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (as detailed at Annex B of the report) to the Head of Customer & Exchequer Services.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the city’s most financially vulnerable residents through the April – September 2022 arising from the ongoing cost of living increases.

[The Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods left the meeting at 10.52am]

This report will present a register of procurement exercises deemed routine for the period of April 2020 to April 2022. These have been defined as routine procurements as per the council’s contract procedure rules and expenditure will fall within existing capital and revenue budget provisions. It is intended that these reports will be brought to this decision session every 6 months, with any non routine ICT or other procurements reported as they arise between £250k and £500k in value.

Resolved: That the routine procurements approved during the period  April 2020 to April 2022 ( as detailed at Annex A of the report) be noted.

Reason:     To ensure the that councillors receive reports on routine procurement decisions in line with the council’s contract procedure rules and the public have the opportunity to see transparent decision-making in operation relating to major ICT procurements.

The Executive Member considered a report presenting a register of procurement exercises deemed routine for the period of April 2020 to April 2022. These had been defined as routine procurements as per the council’s contract procedure rules and expenditure would within existing capital and revenue budget provisions. It was intended that the reports will be brought to the  decision session every 6 months, with any non routine ICT or other procurements reported as they arose, between £250k and £500k in value. The Chief Finance Officer reported that there had been five procurements within those amounts over the last two years. She explained the meaning of routine procurements. The Executive Member then;

Resolved: That the routine procurements approved during the period  April 2020 to April 2022 ( as detailed at Annex A of the report) be noted.

Reason:     To ensure the that councillors receive reports on routine procurement decisions in line with the council’s contract procedure rules and the public have the opportunity to see transparent decision-making in operation relating to major ICT procurements.