Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Finance, Revenues and Benefits

The Committee received the report as set out on pages 74-79 of the agenda, which asked it to note the update on expenditure in the voluntary sector.

The Head of Finance, Revenues and Benefits provided the Committee with a brief summary of the report. It was confirmed that discussions were now underway with Helping Hands Trust and Citizens Advice to continue to provide their advice services to residents in 2019/20. The Committee stressed that careful consideration would need to be given to the contractual arrangements beyond 2019/20, as it was anticipated that demand from residents for independent advice would continue to increase, particularly in light of recent schemes such as Universal Credit where the full implications were still being realised.

With regard to Resident Forum Funding Requests, the Chair of Oadby Forum noted that the progress report in respect of three schemes simply stated “not commenced yet”, without any accompanying explanation. It was also noted that two schemes from Wigston Forum were also listed in this manner. The Committee therefore requested that where future reports contain schemes which have yet to commence, additional narrative explaining the reason(s) why this is the case should also be provided. The Chair of Wigston Forum also expressed concern at the apparent omission of some funding requests which had been agreed by the Forum some time ago. The Head of Finance, Revenues and Benefits undertook to check whether or not the correct application procedure had been followed in respect of these requests, and to report back accordingly.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The contents of the report be noted.