Decision details

1.    Agreed to the approach detailed in paragraphs 2.1 – 2.4 regarding the use of Urgent Decisions during the period for which the restrictions in the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 remain in force.

2.    Established supplementary expenditure budgets as follows (and agree the use of the grants where stated):

2.1. Approved the establishment of supplementary revenue budgets totalling £127,000 fully funded Clinically Extremely Vulnerable Individuals grant and delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance to approve any virements for this use of this grant.

2.2.Approved the establishment of supplementary revenue budgets totalling £4,000,302 funded by Local Restrictions Support Grants (Sector) and (Closed) Addendum and delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance to agree to the payment of eligible business grants by the Council, in line with Government guidance.

2.3.Approved the establishment of supplementary revenue budgets totalling £5,267,140 funded by the Additional Restrictions Grant and delegated authority to agree the distribution of discretionary business grants to the Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cabinet Member for City Economy in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Director of Regeneration in line with Government guidance.

2.4.Approved the establishment of supplementary revenue budgets totalling £1,044,531 funded by the Local Restriction Support Grant (Open) funding from Government to support businesses that have suffered a reduction in demand as a result of the Local Authority being placed in Tier 2 (High).  Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cabinet Member for City Economy in consultation with the Director of Finance to agree the distribution of discretionary businesses grants in line with Government guidelines.

2.5.Approved the establishment of supplementary revenue budgets totalling £19,000 funded by the Department of Transport to support the additional costs of home to school transport due to Covid-19. This takes the revised approved budget to £136,430.

2.6.Accepted the funding from Government under the Contained Outbreak Management Fund under which Local authorities will receive a one-off payment of £8 per head to support the wider measures to protect public health and local economies.  Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance to build in supplementary revenue budgets once the grant allocation has been confirmed and make any payments in line with government guidelines and approve any necessary virements.

2.7.Accepted the funding from Government under the new Winter Grants Scheme for children and their families once the details of the scheme are known and delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services to make payments to any appropriate person in line with Government guidance and approve any necessary virements, to tie in with the collective support that the Council continues to provide to its vulnerable residents.

2.8.Approved the following virements:

·         Approved a virement totalling £290,000 to support Covid Support Advisors for a period of six months funded by from the Enforcement Surge funding (174,000), and Emergency Covid 19 Grant funding (£116,000).

·         Approved a virement of up to £230,000 for the appointment of 15 additional contact trace officers funded from the Test and Trace (outbreak control) grant.

·         Approved the virement of up to £415,000 for the appointment of additional resources to support the grants to businesses.  This will be funded from the Covid 19 Emergency Funding.

·         Approved the virement of £220,000 to provide welfare, debt and benefits advice and support for residents.  This will be funded from the Covid-19 Emergency Funding.