Agenda item

The Area Council Manager provided an overview of the current financial position.    For 2020/21 the Area Council had a starting budget of £204,730.67.  From this the Education Environment and Volunteer Service; Housing and Migration Officer; Employability Service; and the Social Connectivity Service had been funded.  Members were also reminded that £28,000 had been allocated to the Dearne Development Fund.  This left £173.67 unallocated.

The Dearne Development Fund carried forward £3,650.68 to the current financial year.  This combined with the £28,000 allocated from the Area Council Budget, and £10,000 from the financial hardship fund to give  £41,650.68 in the fund.

It was noted that, subsequent to papers being published, discussions had taken place with regards to funding services from DIAL and CAB from the Dearne Development Fund for a further year. These had very recently been approved.

Members discussed the impending redundancies in the area.  It was noted that this would place significant demand on advice services and also on the Employability Service as claims for financial assistance needed to be completed online.

It was suggested that contact be made with employers in the area who had announced redundancies, with a view to distributing packs that gave details of support services. This was supported by Members.

Concern was expressed as to whether services had the capacity and resilience to support the expected numbers, and it was agreed that enquiries be made to confirm what support was available centrally.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.