Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance to follow

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The Discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme in Appendix 2 which will be in place until 31 January 2021 be approved, subject to funding being available;

2.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to take decisions relating to applications made under the Discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme;

3.    The Head of Revenues and Benefits be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance, to make changes to the Discretionary Scheme in line with any changes made by Government, or, as required to ensure the successful operation of the scheme;

4.    The Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme in Appendix 3 be noted, and authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to take decisions relating to applications;

5.    The Cabinet Member Finance be authorised to extend the Discretionary Scheme beyond 31 January 2021 in line with Government direction and subject to funding being available.

The Cabinet Member Finance presented the report, praising the work of the finance team in turning the report around in less than a week. It sought to support those who were required to self-isolate due to the Covid-19 crisis, and was formally launched on the day of the meeting (Tuesday 13^th October). She noted that, in her view, the amount of funding received from central government was relatively small, but hoped that it would make a significant difference to those in the borough facing financial difficulty due to the requirement to self-isolate.

The Leader of the Council praised the finance team and Cabinet Member for reacting to a fast-moving situation and getting the money out to those who needed it.

The vote was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The Discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme in Appendix 2 which will be in place until 31 January 2021 be approved, subject to funding being available;

2.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to take decisions relating to applications made under the Discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme;

3.    The Head of Revenues and Benefits be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance, to make changes to the Discretionary Scheme in line with any changes made by Government, or, as required to ensure the successful operation of the scheme;

4.    The Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme in Appendix 3 be noted, and authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to take decisions relating to applications;

5.    The Cabinet Member Finance be authorised to extend the Discretionary Scheme beyond 31 January 2021 in line with Government direction and subject to funding being available.