Issue details

21/00062 - COVID Support Grant - Summer

 

 

Reason(s) for decision:

 

Government confirmed in late June that the COVID Local Support Grant would be extended over the Summer Break.  While previous acceptance and management of related grants was possible via delegated authority arising from previous decisions, it is appropriate and necessary for these previous arrangements to be noted and the ongoing acceptance of the Grant to be subject to Executive Member decision-making.

 

Government confirmed on 6 July 2021 that the extension would make £4.239m available for use over the Summer break.

 

Reason for urgency

Confirmation from Govt of the latest extension and associated arrangements prevents compliance with normal Executive decision-making timeframe while allowing for implementation in advance of the School Summer break.

 

Background

 

Urgent Decision 20/00110 was taken in November to accept the £4.5m  Government’s Covid Winter Grant and allocate it as follows:

 

·          £2.5m on providing vouchers during the Christmas and February school holidays to families with children in receipt of benefits-related Free School meals, and other low income families as set out in paragraph 2.4

·          £900k to be allocated to Districts, on the same funding formula used by DWP, to target vulnerable households in their areas

·          £800k to be used by KCC services to distribute to families in financial hardship

·          £500k to be earmarked for low income families who need help with food and utilities bills

 

The grant had to be spent between early December 2020 and 31 March 2021.

 

Subsequent to this initial COVID grant, various extensions and additional grants have been provided by Govt.  These have been processed by KCC through a mixture of existing Officer delegation (where permitted under the previous decisions) and additional Executive Member decisions.

 

The DWP advised LAs that “for the summer break it is unlikely that we will be in a position to notify LAs of any funding extension until early/mid-June 2021 and appreciate that this is not ideal as LAs would prefer much more notice in order to plan and prepare for a grant extension.”  The DWP issued a draft letter to LAs on 21 June 2021 informing them that the Covid Local Support grant will be extended over the summer break, with funding to be spent by 30 September 2021.  Therefore, it is certain that the usual democratic processes cannot be adhered to, and an urgent decision will need to be taken by the Leader.

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Division affected: (All Division);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 06/07/2021

This decision will be taken under urgency procedures.

Reason for urgency:
Confirmation from Govt of the latest extension and associated arrangements prevents compliance with normal Executive decision-making timeframe while allowing for implementation in advance of the School Summer break.

Decision due: 6 Jul 2021 by Leader of the Council
Reason: Urgent Decision - immediate implementation required

Lead member: Leader of the Council

Lead director: Zena Cooke, Matt Dunkley CBE

Consultees

Non-executive Members consulted as part of the urgency process – Chair and Spokespeople of the Scrutiny Committee, CYPE and ASC Cabinet Committees.  All comments received added to the ROD as part of the decision publication.

Financial implications: £4.329m Govt grant. The decision is to accept the Covid Local Support Grant in full, will mean there should be no direct impact on the council’s budget. There is a risk, however, that the costs slightly exceed the amount given, for example if the number of families entitled to free school meals and families in need has increased since May. In this event, the County Council may have to allocate some of its underspend to fill the gap. If this is required it will be funded from other covid related grant funding.

Legal implications: Funding must be used in accordance with the guidance set by government, and the terms and conditions of the grant. KCC will apply appropriate legal mechanisms as part of issuing or deploying any grant monies to ensure any partners or third parties in receipt of grant funding remain compliant.

Equalities implications: Funding will be allocated to pupils eligible for FSM, or who prior to becoming home educated or without a school place received FSMs, for which there is clear, unambiguous eligibility criteria. KSAS will allocate funds following referrals made by practitioners, working with families, who have assessed that family finances negatively impact on their ability to regularly and consistently provide nutritious meals for their children.

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