Decision - Local Discretionary Social Fund (Local Welfare Provision)

(1)               That the feedback from consultation be noted;

(2)               That it be agreed an interim scheme for Local Welfare Provision would be set up for the first year and the information and evidence gathered from this first year be used to review and update the scheme for year 2;

(3)               That the proposed interim scheme as set out in paragraph 3.17 of the report and appendix 1 be agreed;

(4)               That the Director of Finance, the Head of City Services and other officers exercising relevant functions be authorised to take all appropriate steps to develop, implement and administer the scheme; and

(5)               That the Interim Lead Chief Executive Services be authorised to amend the Scheme of Delegations to Officers as appropriate to refer to the Local Welfare Provision.

The council considers that the provisions set out in this report are the best way to meet the need of vulnerable people in emergency or crisis in the city whilst keeping demand for the service at levels which the budget can meet.

Whilst there is the option of  not running a scheme with an excess of 10,000 applications from people a year, there is a clear demand for this type of payment in the city.