Decisions for issue COVID Winter Grant Scheme

RESOLVED: That the Committee -

(i)             Agreed to allocate approximately £0.533m of grant funding to ensure the provision of a £25 supermarket food voucher per week over the winter 2020 and February 2021 half term holiday periods for families whose children are entitled to free school meals or similar circumstances;

(ii)            Agreed to allocate approximately £0.100m of grant funding to ensure the provision of a £25 supermarket food voucher per week over the winter 2020 and February 2021 half term holiday periods for families whose children qualify for free childcare places for two year olds, Early Years Pupil Premium and using the children centres’ food bank;

(iii)          Noted the proposal to explore how families who do not meet the above eligibility criteria but need support can be supported via existing mechanisms and the use of targeted services in the city such as Amaze, Allsorts and Voices in Exile;

(iv)          Noted the proposal to explore how the grant can support specific initiatives over the 2020 festive period such as gifts;

(v)           Receives an update on progress in rolling out the grant on 21 January with specific emphasis on how families who do not meet the above eligibility criteria are being supported.