Issue - meetings

The Vice Chair in the absence of the Chair, has authorised the addition of this item to the agenda for the following reason:

Due to the cycle of Committee meetings, this item needs to be discussed and approved at tonight's meeting to not miss the ability to support the mitigation of the worst of the winter pressures for our residents, through our community stakeholders.

The Committee considered an urgent item on the Cost of Living Support Fund. The Strategic Lead, Independent Living advised that the Council had £191,000 available to allocate in the Cost-of-Living Support Reserve. The Committee during consideration of Item 7 on the Community Centre Saturday Opening had approved the partial use of this reserve to provide funding for the temporary continuation of the six day a week offer at the Council’s Community Centres. In total a maximum budget of £42,015 was needed for another year of delivery commencing 1^st October 2023, leaving a remaining fund of £148,985. The Committee were asked to make a recommendation as to the proposed allocation and governance of this remaining fund.

The Committee considered all three options within the report and made recommendations for the appropriate use of this fund. Some members suggested the funding could be utilised for families in need of accommodation on the housing register. It was suggested that families most in need could be identified from food bank referrals, Schools and Youth Clubs. Other members suggested making a donation to Spelthorne Make a Wish Charity.  

The Committee resolved to approve option two, note the recommendations outlined in the report and make recommendations to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.