Issue - decisions

To approve the distribution of winter grant funding from central government to provide targeted financial support to families in need this winter.

The purchase of a £20 food or fuel voucher for each care leaver, to the value of £3,140 such that vouchers and/or gifts and/or food can be provided to care leavers not in receipt of vouchers through the free school meal voucher offer. Such grant will be provided on terms to be agreed by the Director of Children’s Services and in accordance with the grant criteria set out in the report.

A grant of up to £4,200 be made to the YMCA Young Carers support service such that vouchers and/or gifts and/or food can be provided to young carers not in receipt of vouchers through the free school meal voucher offer.  Such grant will be provided on terms to be agreed by the Director of Children’s Services and in accordance with the grant criteria set out in the report.

A grant of £21,000 is made available to Citizens Advice for them to use to financially support households with fuel bills over the winter period.  Such grant will be provided on terms to be agreed by the Director of Children’s Services and in accordance with the grant criteria set out in the report.

£25,000 of the funding to be allocated for the delivery of Holiday Activity and Food Schemes and for grant applications to be invited to identify organisations able to provide such schemes.  Approval of individual grant awards to organisations from this £25,000 allocation will be brought to a future Cabinet Lead Member decision date.

To delegate approval to the Director of Children’s Services to approve community grant awards to organisations delivering services that meet the criteria of the grant (as set out in paragraph 5 of the report) for targeted financial support for those in need over winter in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Skills up to the value of £145 000.

To delegate approval to the Director of Children’s Services to approve the reallocation of any winter grants scheme remaining funds to organisations delivering services that meet the criteria of the grant in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member. This will ensure that where spend does not meet the approvals set out in this report, the Isle of Wight Council can rapidly adapt the approach to ensure needs are met.