Decision details

1.    That supplementary expenditure budgets totalling £9,375,304 be established and funded by the COVID 19 Emergency Funding for Local Government Grant to support additional costs and loss of income relating to COVID 19.

2.    That £2 million be drawdown from the Budget Contingency Reserve to support expenditure on COVID 19 projects in excess of the above grant allocation.

3.    That supplementary expenditure budgets totalling £10,502 be estabhished and funded by grant to support rough sleepers to self-isolate as a result of COVID 19.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance to approve all virements required to support the additional costs and loss of income relating to COVID 19.

5.    That the establishment of the Food Distribution Hub be agreed, as detailed in the report, and authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment in consultation with the Director of City Environment to enter into contracts with suppliers in relation to the Food Distribution Hub to support and protect the city’s most vulnerable residents during the current national emergency.

6.    That the provision of additional temporary accomodation through an agreement with a local hotel be approved and authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member with responsibility for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive, to enter into a contract with the local hotel  for the provision of temporary accommodation for homeless and others in need of urgent temporary accommodation.

7.    That the provision of Business Rates relief be agreed, in line with emergency Government Guidance, and authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Head of Revenues and Benefits, and the Director of Finance to allocate business rates relief to individual businesses.

8.    That to the payment of Business Rates Grants by the Council be agreed, in line with emergency Government Guidance, and authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with Director of Finance, to establish  supplementary budgets for the cost of Business Rates Grants which will be reimbursed in full by Government grant once Government have confirmed the amount to be allocated to the Wolverhampton.

9.    That the payment of Small Business Grants by the Council be agreed, in line with emergency Government Guidance, and to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Head of Revenues and Benefits and the Director of Finance to award grant payments to business under the Small Business Grants Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grant Fund announced by Government in line with Government Guidance.

10. That supplementary budgets totalling £3,272,264 be established, funded by grant to fund the Hardship Scheme and authority be delegated the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Head of Revenue and Benefits and the Director of Finance to make the required reductions in council tax and note that alternative support mechanisms would be considered and, where appropriate, funding would be provided from within the hardship fund to be used where it supports the guidance.

11. That the Director of Governance be authorised to sign a contract with Sandwell Methropolitan Borough Council for additional mortuary support.