Minutes:
Consideration was given to a report that was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 10 December 2020 in respect of a report on the Covid Winter Grant. The Leader of the Council and the Policy and Equalities Manager attended the meeting to present the report.
The Chair advised that due to the need for the Cabinet to make a decision on the report as soon as possible, that in accordance with the procedures set out in the Council’s Constitution that he, as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had given his permission that the decision could be taken using the “Special Urgency” procedures as it was not practicable for 28 days’ notice of the intention to take the decision to be given.
The Chair also advised that due to the urgency of the decision, that in accordance with the procedures set out in the Council’s Constitution surrounding call-in, that he as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, in consultation with Councillor Cowles, as Leader of the Opposition had agreed that the decision should be exempt from the Council’s call-in processes.
In introducing the report the Leader thanked the Chair for allowing the two report to be considered under urgency procedures, and thanked the Chair and Councillor Cowles for allowing the decisions taken by Cabinet to be exempt from the call-in process so as to enable the financial support being provided to be made available to those is in need as soon as was possible.
The report stated that as part of a range of interventions to support people impacted by the COVID emergency the Government had announced a £170 million COVID Winter Grant Scheme, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions and that Rotherham MBC had been granted £1,007,395.16 from the scheme. The report noted that the COVID Winter Grant had been created to for use during the current financial year in order to provide support to vulnerable households and families during the winter period where alternative sources of assistance may be unavailable.
The report set out the Council’s proposed use of the grant in Rotherham including the provision of vouchers in lieu of free school meals for the Christmas and February half term holidays. It was noted that it was expected that the holiday food vouchers scheme would account for the use of 50% of the grant, leaving the remainder to be used in to provide other targeted support that could to be provided by the scheme. The proposed allocation of the support in Rotherham was:
· Holiday Programme and Food - £492,395.16
· Struggling with utility costs / debt - £285,000
· Christmas food - £30,000
· Help with school uniforms - £200,000
The report also provided information on the proposed ‘local eligibility framework and approach’ that Council was required to develop in order to enable the distribution of the grant funding in a way that best supported vulnerable families and individuals. The Leader advised that the administration processes that would be used to get the support to those who required it would be relatively straightforward as they would utilise existing procedures and partnership arrangements.
Members welcomed the support that the Covid Winter Grant would provide for residents and noted the difference that it would make to residents who were struggling financially due to the economic impact of the pandemic.
Members sought assurance that residents who did not have internet access would not be disadvantaged in being able to claim the support that they were entitled to. The Leader noted that the support for families with free school meals would be administered using existing processes that would ensure that families who were entitled for support would not miss out. The Leader advised that residents who were entitled to more targeted support would be written to directly to inform them of the processes to access the additional support, with the subsequent processes being able to be accessed by phone. The Leader advised that in addition to direct contact with residents that there would also be activities to raise awareness of the support available more generally across the community. The Policy and Equalities Manager noted that access to support with utility bills would not be as straightforward as administering other parts of the scheme, but assured members that the Council’s Community Hub and partnerships with the voluntary sector, who had a good knowledge of those in need of support would be able to refer those in need of support to the scheme.
Members noted the important role that the Council’s Community Hub continued to play in helping residents access the help and support that they were entitled to and the important role that it would play in providing access to the support provided by the Covid Winter Grant.
Members noted that many people struggling to purchase nutritious food may also lack the correct kitchen equipment to prepare food and asked if any plans were in place to provide this type of equipment. The Policy and Equalities Manager advised that discussions were currently taking place with voluntary sector partners on how funding received earlier in the year could be utilised to provide essential cooking and small electrical items to those residents in need.
Members noted with concern the financial challenges that families and communities would face in the coming months. The Leader advised that the Covid Winter Grant had been designed in order to provide support through to the end of March 2021 and that he was confident that the money that had been provided through the grant would be sufficient to provide the level of support needed through the Winter months. The Leader advised that consideration would need to given to what support could be offered after March 2021 in order to address the significant financial challenges and difficulties that residents would face in the post-pandemic era.
Members noted the key role of elected members in spreading the message about the support was available within their communities and asked that they be kept up to date and informed on how they could assist with this important task.
In conclusion the Leader noted that the Covid Winter Grant funding would be used to build on previous initiatives and policy decisions taken by the Council that would improve the lives of the Borough’s most vulnerable residents.
The Chair thanked Leader of the Council and the Policy and Equalities Manager for attending the meeting and answering members’ questions.
Resolved: -
1. That Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported.
2. That a consideration be given to the creation of a single point of contact in order to enable all residents that are eligible for support to be able access that support easily.
3. That all members be kept updated and informed on how they can support the Council’s efforts to ensure that all residents eligible for support are able to access that support.