Issue - meetings

          The Cabinet Member for Finance, the Board Director, Resources and the Head of Revenues and Benefits submitted a joint report setting out details of the local welfare assistance provided to Swindon residents by the Swindon Emergency Assistance Fund in 2013/14 and proposing changes to the way that the Fund operated to ensure that it remained effective in helping to protect vulnerable residents through periods of difficulty.

          Councillor Russell Holland, Cabinet Member for Finance, referred to the background to the Council establishing the Swindon Emergency Assistance Fund and how the fund had been used in 2013/14 to help protect the most vulnerable at times of financial crisis. He explained that as a result of the experience gained it was intended to amend the scheme to ensure it remained effective. These proposed amendments had been seen and supported by the cross-party Benefits Strategy and Welfare Reform Advisory Group.

          Resolved – (1) That the Swindon Emergency Assistance Fund be altered so that awards can be made to persons who are subject to suspended benefit claims or ‘sanctions’ and who are in crisis or emergency need.

          (2) That the Swindon Emergency Assistance Fund be amended to allow up to four awards per person or household per annum, with individuals receiving more than two awards being asked to undertake training on how to budget.

          (3) That the companies and groups from whom goods and services were purchased, as indicated in the table in Section 3 of the joint report, are used again in 2014/15 and in future years until improved arrangements can be negotiated by the Head of Revenues and Benefits.

          (4) That the Head of Revenues and Benefits be authorised to use the Swindon Emergency Assistance Fund to procure services that help residents to prepare for the introduction of Universal Credits, assisting with budgeting advice, employment support and training for using online systems, and that monies should continue to be used to reduce poverty and assist in anti-poverty strategies (both national and local).

          The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.