Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced this item, providing Members of the Area Council with a refresh report around the financial position and forecast for expenditure based on current projects. These included the Anti- Poverty – Community Outreach; Housing Migration Officer, Stronger communities Grant, Social Isolation and Cold Homes Project; Children and Youth People Resilience Grant and Fleets Nature Park. 

It was highlighted that funding for the Anti- Poverty Community Outreach project was due to end at the end of September and a waiver to extend this contract for a further 12 months from 14^th September 2020 to 13^th September 2021 had been agreed, which would help with Covid-19 recovery.  The service had been extremely well used during lockdown, with help needed on employment, debt and relationship breakdown.  A significant increase in enquiries is predicted as the lockdown eases.  Return on this project is excellent, with a £23 return on every £1 spent.

Citizens Advice Bureaux are currently funded until the end of September to deliver additional specialist debt advice through the Stronger Communities Grant.  In light of COVID-19’s wider inequality implications Members were asked to consider extending the funding until the end of the financial year, which will not impact on other projects due to slippage.

The Social Isolation and Cold Homes Project continues to perform well.  The Covid-19 situation has highlighted how those people who don't have internet access are additionally socially isolated, with many accessing services via telephone with befriending support.  It has been possible to do some of the welfare checks and needs assessments over the phone and positive feedback has been received from residents.

It was reported that the Making Space Dementia Café is unlikely to recommence, in its intended model, in October for practical reasons combined with the vulnerability of service users.  However, it would be possible to use the funding for a freephone dementia helpline and training for carers from October to March 2021.  There is a chance that the service could be used by people from outside of the North Area but it was felt that the sensitive specialist service provided to people with dementia, including those with early onset dementia, outweighed the risk of this happening.  Age UK also deliver a universal service to a greater number of people, some of whom may not reside in the North Area.

The start date for the Housing Migration Officer has been postponed due to home working arrangements for BMBC staff during Covid-19.  Community Safety have offered reassurance that they are implementing a return to work rota, and this should allow for the preferred candidate to be inducted.  All safety checks have been carried out but the DBS for the postholder is outstanding, as delays have been experienced due to Covid-19.

RESOLVED that:

(i)            The North Area Council should note the existing budget position and funding commitments and position regarding the Housing Migration Officer

(ii)          Members agreed to vary the model for the Stronger Communities Grant awarded to Making Spaces.  The funding will not support three micro projects between October 2020 and March 2021: 1) Freephone dementia helpline, 2) Training and Support for Carers of people living with dementia, 3) Weekly Older People Café at Barugh Green compliant with Covid-19 safety guidelines. 

(i)            Member note point 7.1 of this report (supporting older people) and consider this in respect to Item 6 of today’s agenda (Covid-19 Recovery – Supporting Older People in the North Area).

(iii)         Members extend the grant agreement with CAB to help with Covid-19 Recovery