Decision details

On 6 March 2014 the Leader of the County Council approved the establishment of a Cabinet Working Group on the Care and Urgent Needs Support Scheme, with the following terms of reference.

1. To identify whether the Care and Urgent Needs Support Scheme is meeting the objectives originally set for it.
2. In the light of experience during the first year of operation to consider whether the original objectives and policy framework remain appropriate.
3. To consider whether there may be alternative options available in the deployment of resources.
4. To consider the scheme's place within an overall offer from the County Council.
5. To make recommendations in regard to these matters to the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Working Group has met on three occasions and members of the Working Group have also had the opportunity to shadow the staff involved in the operation of the scheme. The Cabinet Working Group's report and recommendations are now presented for consideration by the Cabinet.

County Councillor Azhar Ali, Chair of the Cabinet Working Group on the Care and Urgent Needs Support Scheme, presented the report of the Cabinet Working Group which set out a review of the scheme's first year of operation.

It was reported that the scheme was working well and fulfilled a valuable role in supporting vulnerable people. It was felt that some relationships with partner organisations could be further developed and work be undertaken to extend the provision of food banks. Responsibility for the scheme, together with initial funding, had been transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions to the County Council and it was noted that the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2015/16 did not include continuation of the funding. The Deputy Leader of the County Council highlighted the importance of continuing to lobby for funding to be continued.

Resolved: - That: 

(i)  The report of the Cabinet Working Group on the Care and Urgent Needs Support Scheme, set out at Appendix 'A' to the report, now presented, be noted;

(ii)  That the recommendations of the Cabinet Working Group on the Care and Urgent Needs Support Scheme, set out at Appendix 'A' to the report, now presented, be supported.