Agenda item

This report summarises the implications of recent Government announcements about in-year expenditure reductions for programmes that had been funded under the Early Intervention Fund (EIF) and the York Youth Community Action Project (YYCAP).  It invites the Executive Member to approve officers’ actions, which have sought to protect the Council’s financial position whilst at the same time minimising so far as possible the impact on the third sector and on those whom they support.

RESOLVED:(i)         That the actions officers had taken to handle the in-year

expenditure reductions to the Early Intervention Fund and the York Youth Community Action Project, summarised in Annexes A to C of the report, be approved.

(ii) That the Executive Member receive further updates on

the implications of the expenditure reductions, including a briefing once the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review were known.

(iii) That thanks be recorded to those involved in projects

funded by the EIF and YYCAP for the excellent work that they had carried out.

(iv) That representation be made to Ministers regarding the

 issues raised.

REASON:      To protect the council’s financial position while at the same time minimising the impact, so far as possible, on third sector organisations and those whom they support.

The Executive Member received a report that summarised the implications of recent Government announcements about in-year expenditure reductions for programmes that had been funded under the Early Intervention Fund (EIF) and the York Youth Community Action Project (YYCAP).  It invited the Executive Member to approve officers’ actions, which had sought to protect the Council’s financial position whilst at the same time minimising so far as possible the impact on the third sector and on those whom they support.

Officers detailed how the EIF had been utilised, as outlined in the report, and of the in-year expenditure reductions that had been necessitated as a result of the Government announcements.  All possible alternatives had been explored, including consideration of a more differentiated approach to the reductions and ascertaining whether it was possible to access funds from elsewhere.  Equality Impact Assessments had also been carried out, and the specific impact of the reductions on certain communities was drawn to the Executive Member’s attention.  However, a differentiated approach was not recommended in the circumstances, and no alternative source of funding had been identified within the Council, not least because of the wider reductions in the Area Based Grant.  Once the outcome of the spending review was known there would be an opportunity to consider the position further but it was important not to raise expectations that funding may become available.  The Authority continued to value enormously the contribution made by the Third Sector.

Officers explained that YYCAP was a pilot project, which was only ever intended to last just over a year, and there was still some uncertainty regarding the final payment from the DfE.  Individual exit strategies had been agreed with those organisations that had been allocated funding under the first two rounds, and tribute was paid to the way in which the organisations concerned had responded to the situation.  The Authority was working with the organisations to seek to avoid job losses wherever possible.  It was encouraging to note that many of the groups intended to continue with the work that they had been carrying out.  The funding that had been received had had a significant impact on providing volunteering opportunities for young people and would leave a lasting legacy.

The Executive Member paid tribute to the excellent work that organisations had carried out through the EIF and the YYCAP.  The YYCAP initiative had instigated some very worthwhile volunteering opportunities and it was pleasing to note that groups were hoping to continue with the work. 

The Executive Member thanked the speakers for their helpful comments.  She stated that she intended to make Ministers aware of the valuable work that had been funded by the grant and the support that this had provided to the most vulnerable in society, including ethnic minority families. She would welcome the speakers’ support in providing case studies to enable hard evidence to be presented to Ministers.  Ministers would also be made aware of the implications when funding was withdrawn mid-year. The Executive Member stated that she would welcome a meeting with the Chief Executive of the CVS to discuss the issues further.

The Executive Member stated that as all of the organisations had been carrying out excellent work she felt that it was more appropriate to make a reduction equally across all EIF-funded projects rather than targeting particular projects.

RESOLVED:(i)         That the actions officers had taken to handle the in-year

expenditure reductions to the Early Intervention Fund and the York Youth Community Action Project, summarised in Annexes A to C of the report, be approved.

(ii) That the Executive Member receive further updates on

the implications of the expenditure reductions, including a briefing once the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review were known.

(iii) That thanks be recorded to those involved in projects

funded by the EIF and YYCAP for the excellent work that they had carried out.

(iv) That representation be made to Ministers regarding the

 issues raised.

REASON:      To protect the council’s financial position while at the same time minimising the impact, so far as possible, on third sector organisations and those whom they support.