Question Submitted Under Council Procedure Rule 10
Councillor Temperton to Councillor Heydon, Executive Member for Transformation and Finance
The COVID winter Grant is now being used for supporting residents’ utility bills and the food voucher/ parcels for our vulnerable children whilst home-learning.
The £500 Isolation Grant is available to support those on low incomes having to self-isolate after a positive COVID test.
How long are the current funds able to sustain the support needed?
Minutes:
Councillor Temperton asked Councillor Heydon, Executive Member for Transformation and Finance the following published question:
The COVID winter Grant is now being used for supporting residents’ utility bills and the food voucher/ parcels for our vulnerable children whilst home-learning.
The £500 Isolation Grant is available to support those on low incomes having to self-isolate after a positive COVID test.
How long are the current funds able to sustain the support needed?
In response Councillor Heydon stated that there was not a simple response as this was covered by two areas the mandatory Test and Trace Self-Isolation Payments and discretionary payments. Both elements were funded until the end of March and it was not possible to anticipate how much funding would be needed so there were other covid welfare funds that could be provided as necessary. He added there was also the COVID Winter Support Grant which was agreed in early December. The grant aims to support families struggling with the costs of food, utilities and other essentials as a result of the pandemic and the Council was on track to issue the full amount of the grant with additional promotion ongoing.
Councillor Heydon concluded that it had just been announced that funding for the Test and Trace Self-Isolation Payments would be extended until 30 June and funding for discretionary payments would be available until 30 June.
Councillor Temperton sought clarification in her supplementary question of whether support would be provided for food vouchers for the borough’s vulnerable children required to self-isolate. Councillor Heydon explained that the government had announced that the holiday activities and food programme would be expanded across the whole of England in 2021 with funding will support local authorities to coordinate free holiday provision, including healthy food and enriching activities.
Councillor Dr Barnard added that if children are self-isolating at home during term time they would be provided with free school meal vouchers and additional support would be available for the family for utility bills and discretionary costs. He concluded that the imminent Chancellors’ budget announcement was likely to include further measures to support for children, families and vulnerable people.