Agenda item

Consider report by Service Director Customer & Communities (copy attached).

5.1       There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Customer & Communities presenting a number of proposals for the allocation of the Scottish Government  “Addressing future need to support individuals at financial risk 2020/21” Fund.  The report also outlined further measures to provide wider financial support to those individuals who required additional help. It was explained that Scottish Government announced on 20 October 2020, that a fund of £30m would be made available to Local Authorities to support those who were facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) over the winter period and to continue the provision of Free School Meals during the forth-coming school holidays.  The Fund had been split into 2 areas – Supporting Individuals at Financial Risk (£20m) and Free School Meals (£6.95m to cover the October, Christmas and February school holidays), with the balance of £3.05m expected to be provided to support school meals during the Easter holidays in 2021/22.  Scottish Borders Council had been allocated approximately £330k of the £20m element for Supporting Individuals at Financial Risk, providing that any claims made were in accordance with the Fund’s criteria and guidance.  The £6.95M element of the funding for Free School Meals (of which Scottish Borders Council received £111k) had also been allocated to provide Free School Meal vouchers for the October, Christmas and February school holidays.

5.2       A Financial Insecurity Group, made up of relevant officers and led by the Service Director Customer & Communities had met to discuss the Fund and potential spend. Proposals for allocation were presented in the report which were based on Scottish Government guidance, main objectives and expected outcomes of the fund.  All claims for this phase of the Fund had to be made by 31 March 2021. Approval was being sought in order to ensure that Scottish Borders Council expedited and maximised the opportunity to make claims in an efficient and timely manner using existing third sector and other organisations with established networks.  The Service Director Customer & Communities, Jenni Craig, gave a summary of the proposals detailed within the report and provided further information to Members where requested. In the ensuing discussion Members recognised the fact that COVID-19 was pushing more people into poverty.  They welcomed the funding but expressed concern that this would not be enough.  It was noted that more information and identification of areas of need would be produced through the Anti Poverty Strategy Working Group. In response to a question, Mrs Craig agreed that an effective communications plan would be key and gave assurance that there would be a wide range of communications including through schools, to identify gaps and ensure the funding reached those most in need of support.  In terms of timing, payments would be made as soon as possible but definitely by the end of this month.

            DECISION

AGREED:

(a)          to delegate authority, to the Service Director of Customer & Communities, to allocate funding as per the areas detailed below:

(i)      Fund the expansion of the Connecting Scotland Project to  address the shortfall at a local level;

(ii)     Provide a one off emergency payment to vulnerable families across the Scottish Borders as detailed in Section 4 of the report;

            (iii)    Allocate funding to a range of existing third sector networks, Community Planning Partners (including Registered Social Landlords) and any other partnerships, networks, resilience groups or other organisations who were already working with vulnerable individuals, to assist with essentials in accordance with the guidance, based on the principles of digital, fuel and food poverty and other items deemed as emergency essentials;

          (iv)     Provide payments for families with disabled children under 18 years old who were not eligible for the Child Winter Heating Assistance payment.

(b)          in relation to the Discretionary Housing Payments Policy:

         (i)        to approve an increase in the removal costs to £500 for moves within the Scottish Borders and £800 for moves from another Local Authority area, to take effect from 1 February 2021;

       (ii)       to approve an addition to disregard income of up to £20 per adult and £5 per child as detailed in paragraph 5.3.2.

         (iii)      to approve to disregard all Scottish Child Payment awards.

         (iv)      to delegate authority to the Service Director of Customer & Communities to review and update the maximum removal costs which could be paid through Discretionary Housing Payments Policy on an annual basis.

(c)       to a marketing and promotion campaign to raise awareness of the Scottish Welfare Fund; and

(d)       that all claims, financial monitoring and evaluation would be undertaken in accordance with the guidance and requirements of the Fund.