Cost of Living Grant
Perth and Kinross Council · 27 November 2023
Back to Perth Common Good Fund Committee — 27 November 2023 and its agenda
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Perth Common Good Fund Committee 27 NOVEMBER 2023 COST OF LIVING GRANT Report by Head of Cultural and Community Services (Report No. 23/333) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The report asks Perth Common Good Fund Committee agree to make provision for additional Cost of Living support across the winter period. 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 It is recommended that Committee: • Approves the proposal to delegate authority to the Convener to authorise Cost of Living grants between 1 December 2023 and 1 February 2024. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background • Section 5: Proposal • Section 6: Conclusion 4. BACKGROUND 4.1 At the meeting of the Perth Common Good Fund Committee of 6 February 2023 the Committee agreed to earmark £69,500 of underspend from the 2022/23 financial year for Cost of Living support in the Common Good area. 4.2 To date approximately £10,000 of this fund has been awarded, leaving a budget of £58,980. The Council has also recently disbursed £68,000 to groups supporting people with the Cost of Living in Perth City through the Warm Welcome Fund for 2023/24. 5. PROPOSAL 5.1 The Perth Common Good Fund Committee next meets on 29 January 2024. It is proposed that the Committee agree to delegate decision making authority for the remaining £58,980 to the Committee Convener for the period between 1 December 2023 and 1 February 2024.
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5.2 Acting on officer information and advice, the Convener would seek input from other Committee members before approving any funding for specific groups and projects which are supporting residents and families with Cost of Living over the winter period. At the same time, the Convener would welcome suggestions and recommendations from Committee members about groups and projects who may benefit from some support. 5.3 Given the nature of the Cost of Living crisis, it is further proposed that Committee agree that any funding paid out during the period between 1 December 2023 and 1 February 2024 is paid in advance once Convener approval has been given. 5.4 Officers will provide a verbal update for Committee on 29 January and if required will prepare a report for Committee at the following meeting on 29 April 2024 summarising any funding awards made during the period between 1 December 2023 and 1 February 2024. 6. CONCLUSION 6.1 Committee has previously agreed to make a portion of funding available to support Cost of Living related activity in the Common Good area. Only a small part of that funding has been used to date. 6.2 Committee is being asked to approve a new approach to the Cost of Living pot within the Common Good Fund. This will allow for more proactive approach to support projects and initiatives across the winter months. Authors Name Designation Contact Details Lee Haxton Community Planning Team Leader (01738) 475000 ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Barbara Renton Executive Director (Communities) 6 November 2023 ANNEX
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1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION, AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce None Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Equality Impact Assessment None Strategic Environmental Assessment None Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) None Legal and Governance None Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan None 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan 1.1 The proposals will contribute to the Community Plan's aim of safe, healthy and inclusive communities and the outcome of communities will have improved quality of life. The recommendations contained within this report are in accordance with the priorities of Perth Common Good Fund's criteria for financial assistance. Corporate Plan 1.2 The proposals will contribute to the Corporate Plan's objectives of developing educated, responsible and informed citizens and the outcome of people are ready for life and work. The recommendations contained within this report are in accordance with the priorities of Perth Common Good Fund's criteria. 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 The Head of Finance has been consulted and has indicated agreement with the proposals. The recommendations contained within this report will be funded from the 2023/24 Financial Assistance budgets.
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Workforce 2.2 Not applicable. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 Not applicable. 3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 3.2 This section should reflect that the proposals have been considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) with the following outcome: Assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.4 However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. This is because the Committee are requested to note the contents of the report only and the Committee are not being requested to approve, adopt or agree to an action or to set the framework for future decisions. Sustainability 3.5 Not applicable. Legal and Governance 3.6 Not applicable. Risk 3.7 Not applicable.
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4. Consultation Internal 4.1 The Head of Finance and the Head of Legal and Governance have been consulted. External 4.2 Not applicable. 5. Communication 5.1 Not applicable. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 Perth Common Good Fund Application papers.