Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

a)    Noted that the Council had wide discretion in the allocation of the Household Support Fund (2);

b)    Approved the allocation of funds set out in the chart in paragraph 6 of the report;

c)    Approved the control and oversight approach set out at paragraph 8.1.1 of the report; and

d)    Noted that depending on take up of the proposed scheme it might have to be adjusted in order to ensure the full allocation is not under or over allocated. Any adjustment will be managed within the terms of existing DWP guidelines.

REASONS RESOLVED:

·         To underpin the West Northamptonshire Anti-Poverty Strategy and ensure residents most in need receive support

·         To ensure that the distribution of funds met the wider communities’ financial needs, where other grants and funding were not available

·         To ensure the level of duplication of grants for the same purpose was minimised

·         To ensure that the maximum assistance was provided to residents in greatest need and that the allocation of funding is fully utilised to meet the needs of residents.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

None

At the Chair’s invitation Councillors made the following comments on the report, which had been previously circulated.

Councillor Rosie Herring the Chair of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee made the following comments on behalf of the committee.

• It was noted that the report had been expected at the Scrutiny Committee but understood that due to timings this had not been possible. 
• It was queries what measures had been put in place for non-English speaking claimants and who would decide where the excess funds would be sent to.
• Could vouchers be used for Nursery fees?

Councillors made the following comments.

• How would the council find the people that need the help, such as pensioners who at times slip through the cracks.
• It was noted that disabled people and their needs had not been mentioned in the report.
• Had the Government agreed to extend the school meals programme over the summer holiday?
• Could the vouchers provided be given out weekly instead of all at once?
• Correct administration of the scheme would be important to ensure access for everyone that needs it.
• There would need to be a needs assessment carried out for access to the funds, it was important for residents to be aware of this.
• It was noted that the first tranche of payments had taken a while to be distributed.

Councillor Matt Golby then presented the report to Cabinet and made the following comments.

• Lots of learning had been done since the first tranche of payments.
• It was advised that the grant criteria did allow for some movement.
• The second round of payments would be focused on children, pensioners and those experiencing hardship.
• It was important for the scrutiny committee to see the report.
• It was advised there would be a communications package put out for residents to so that they would be aware of the fund.

The Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Wellbeing noted that it was important to actively engage with various organisations, this would help the council become aware of those in need of the funds.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet.

a)    Noted that the Council had wide discretion in the allocation of the Household Support Fund (2).

b)   Approved the allocation of funds set out in the chart in paragraph 6 of the report.

c)    Approved the control and oversight approach set out at paragraph 8.1.1 of the report; and

d)   Noted that depending on take up of the proposed scheme it might have to be adjusted to ensure the full allocation is not under or over allocated. Any adjustment will be managed within the terms of existing DWP guidelines.