Agenda item

That the policy for Local Welfare Provision 2020-21 as set out in Appendix D of the report be approved.

The Lead Member for Housing & Community Safety introduced a report that sought approval for the revised Local Welfare Provision policy for 2020/21.

The Local Welfare Provision scheme provided one-off payments for residents facing extreme financial difficulties.  This included food bank vouchers, utilities and essential furniture and white goods.  The scheme had been originally funded by the Government, but it was a discretionary scheme now entirely funded by the Council.  Many local authorities had reduced or withdrawn their schemes, however, SBC had retained the scheme to support vulnerable people.

The agreed budget for 2020/21 was £350,000 which was an increase of £50,000 on the 2019/20.  The Council intended to maintain spend within this budget.  Spend in 2019/20 was below profile and there was £77,000 available to be spent by the end of the year.  The relatively minor changes to the policy for the next year were summarised and set out fully in the report.

The Cabinet discussed the ability of food banks in Slough to respond the likely demand from residents during the coronavirus crisis.  The Council was discussing with food banks the support they would need.  The Government had established a separate hardship fund and although it was not clear how much Slough would receive it was agreed that this extra support should be aligned to LWP.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet approved the Local Welfare Provision policy for 2020/21.

Resolved –  That the policy for Local Welfare Provision 2020/21 as set out in Appendix D of the report be approved.