Agenda item

To approve one-off resources for two years, namely £193,217 in 2022/23 and £155,990 in 2023/24 from the COVID Recovery Fund towards the Supporting People Programme

The item was presented by Cllr. Dafydd Meurig

RESOLVED

To approve one-off resources for two years, namely £193,217 in 2022/23 and £155,990 in 2023/24 from the COVID Recovery Fund towards the Supporting People Programme.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, noting that this was a one-off bid for funding to support the Supporting People cross-departmental programme. It was noted that the past two years of the Covid-19 crisis had been difficult and had highlighted how vulnerable some residents of Gwynedd were.

It was explained that over the past two years, the programme had dealt with matters involving fuel poverty and homelessness, but that the work being undertaken now needed to be formalised. It was noted that the programme was in place and attention was drawn to the schemes that would be prioritised such as food poverty, fuel poverty and digital inclusion.

The Corporate Director added that the report outlined the work which had been done cross-departmentally and with partners. Gratitude was expressed about the joint-working which had led to creating a programme which would make a difference in the short-term to the residents of Gwynedd. It was noted that the programme would do everything within the Council's ability to support residents whilst working on long-term schemes. 

The Assistant Head - Supporting Families noted that the report summarised what had been possible to provide during the crisis. It was noted that, with the recovery period following the pandemic and an increase in the demand, there was a need for investment to ensure support for everyone. Gratitude was also expressed regarding the community efforts together with the work of the third sector over the past two years.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     The report was supported, and thanks were given to the partners and the departments for working together on this programme. It was noted that poverty led to a detrimental impact on children and the need to support families that would come into the benefits system for the first time was noted.

¾     It was expressed that the situation was unusual, on the one hand taking pride in the fact that the Council was able to support residents but on the other hand the shame of living in a country with a Government which pushed individuals to having to use food banks in order to sustain their families.

¾     The food poverty projects were referred to and it was asked whether there were opportunities in terms of tackling food waste together with growing food in the community. It was proposed that this aspect of the programme could be renamed from food poverty to food resilience or Ensuring Food for All.

¾     It was highlighted that poverty was not a recent problem in Gwynedd and that it had been a problem for many years. It was stated that this funding was for a two-year period and it was also stated that poverty would not have disappeared by the end of this period. It was stressed that there was a need to address residents' needs and potential partners that it may be possible to work with were highlighted.

¾      Attention was drawn to the Schools Benefits Promoter and it was asked why they would only be funded for a year. It was noted that discussions had been held with the Education Department and it was noted that Heads had highlighted that housing and benefits support were the main needs arising within schools. As a result of this, it was added, a specific link for schools would be funded for a year in order to understand what the demand was and, in the long-term, it may be possible to refer individuals for specific services.