396 Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services - Introduction and Application of Social Fund PDF 974 KB
(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction). This report sets out delivery options and recommendations with regard to how Haringey Council will deliver the Support Fund going forward.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought approval of the proposed Social Fund Policy.
The Leader noted that there was a limited budget available for this within any given financial year and that once the fund had been used there was no further funding available even if people were able to demonstrate need. She placed on record her concern that there would be an increasing number of people applying to the fund at a time when the Government had reduced the fund by 15% upon its transferral of management to Local Authorities.
Alternative Options Considered
The following options were considered, and summarised below:
Absorb the funding to support other Haringey strategies
The funding could be used to support other council aims and objectives in line with current priorities, as follows:
Ø Work with local businesses to create jobs
Ø Deliver regeneration to key areas of the borough
Ø Tackle the housing challenges
Ø Improve school standards and outcomes for young people
Ø Deliver responsive, high quality services to residents
This option was not taken forward as it would not fulfil the immediate need of current users of the Social Fund in line with guidance issued by the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) and as a minimum we would have to signpost those in the community who are most vulnerable to alternative sources of either funding or assistance.
Develop a scheme that replicates the current scheme using additional Council funding
The discretionary arm of the Social Fund will be abolished by the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and local authorities will receive reduced funding to enable them to provide locally-administered assistance to the ... view the full minutes text for item 396