Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director of Resources.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the ‘Local Welfare Provision’ funding be utilised by operating the Emergency Relief Scheme for a second year 2014/15;

(2)               the changes to the Help Scheme Policy be agreed and adopted.

Reason for Decision:  The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) allocated funding to all Local Authorities to provide a ‘Local Welfare Provision’ as a result of the changes to the Social Fund included within the Welfare Reform Act 2012.  Further to close partnership working with a multi-agency group and public consultation, Harrow Council developed the Emergency Relief Scheme which was piloted for the first year of operation to give the Council the opportunity to understand need within the borough. 

The pilot Emergency Relief Scheme had now been reviewed through consultation with Emergency Relief Scheme staff, referral partners and a sample of users of the Scheme.  The feedback received throughout this process had helped to shape the changes to the proposed Scheme for the second year of operation - 2014/15. 

The DWP had not confirmed the funding allocation post for 2014/15 and therefore the Emergency Relief Scheme had been redesigned to continue for one year in its current form and to be sufficiently flexible to cope with changes in programme funding in future years. 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member / Dispensation Granted:  None.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance introduced the report, which set out the outcome of the review of the pilot Harrow Help Scheme, providing Cabinet with the proposed policy changes for the financial year 2014/15.  He added that some minor improvements had been made to a previous administration’s Scheme.

A non-voting non-Executive Cabinet Member enquired about the administration’s position in regard to the recent funding announcement by the government of £489k, which he considered to be an unfair cut on the most vulnerable.  He stated that his next administration would ensure that any underspend in this Scheme would be carried forward to the following year and invited the administration’s support in this regard.

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Finance stated that all the money that was available would be spent on the services for the people of Harrow.  The Scheme was underfunded and the underfunding together with the previous administration’s budget was made ‘fit for purpose’ by adding £600k for the provision of services to the elderly, £300k for special needs transport and £500k for additional social workers to support children in need.  The Leader of the Council re-emphasised that the money was being used to improve the welfare of Harrow residents.

The same non-voting non-Executive Cabinet Member claimed that, at both the national and local levels, the most vulnerable were being adversely affected.  He was of the view that by providing extra money now, claiming it was electioneering, the administration was ‘raiding’ money which rate payers would have to pay for in later years.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Leader of the Council stated that it would be for the residents of Harrow to decide.  The administration’s budget provided for a cleaner, safer and fairer agenda instead of leaving money sitting in a Transformation fund which had not benefited Harrow’s residents.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the ‘Local Welfare Provision’ funding be utilised by operating the Emergency Relief Scheme for a second year 2014/15;

(2)               the changes to the Help Scheme Policy be agreed and adopted.

Reason for Decision:  The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) allocated funding to all Local Authorities to provide a ‘Local Welfare Provision’ as a result of the changes to the Social Fund included within the Welfare Reform Act 2012.  Further to close partnership working with a multi-agency group and public consultation, Harrow Council developed the Emergency Relief Scheme which was piloted for the first year of operation to give the Council the opportunity to understand need within the borough. 

The pilot Emergency Relief Scheme had now been reviewed through consultation with Emergency Relief Scheme staff, referral partners and a sample of users of the Scheme.  The feedback received throughout this process had helped to shape the changes to the proposed Scheme for the second year of operation - 2014/15. 

The DWP had not confirmed the funding allocation post for 2014/15 and therefore the Emergency Relief Scheme had been redesigned to continue for one year in its current form and to be sufficiently flexible to cope with changes in programme funding in future years. 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member / Dispensation Granted:  None.