Issue - meetings

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.

The Committee considered the report of the Cabinet Working Group on the Care and Urgent Needs Support Scheme which set out a review of the scheme's first year of operation.

It was reported that the scheme was aimed at supporting the most vulnerable people, often at times of crisis, and in general was a valued and effective scheme. It was recognised that there significant uncertainty over future funding, and whilst initial funding had been transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2015/16 did not include continuation of the funding. It was confirmed that the County Council would continue to lobby government for continuation of the funding.

Resolved: That the recommendations in the reports to Cabinet be noted and that no additional comments or suggested alternative recommendation be made.