Issue - meetings

1.       To receive the report of the leader of the Council

2.         Urgent cabinet decisions

In accordance with the Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules, a Cabinet or Cabinet member decision can be taken as a matter of urgency, if any delay by the call in process would seriously prejudice the council’s or the public’s interest or that the decision cannot reasonably be deferred.  Treating the decision as a matter of urgency must be agreed by the chair of the Scrutiny Committee and must be reported to Council, together with the reasons for urgency.

Council is requested to note the details of the following urgent decisions.

Discretionary grants fund

On 29 May 2020, Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council, took a decision to approve the eligibility and funding level to distribute the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (DGF) and authorise the acting deputy chief executive – place, jointly with the interim head of finance, to award the grants.

The chair of the Scrutiny Committee agreed to waive call in due to the Government requirement for the grant fund to open from 1 June 2020.

Discretionary business grants round two

On 19 June 2020, Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council, took a decision to approve Round Two of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (DGF) and authorise the acting deputy chief executive – place, jointly with the interim head of finance, to award the grants.

The chair of the Scrutiny Committee agreed to waive call in to ensure grants could be awarded to eligible businesses as soon as practicable.

Discretionary business grants top up fund

On 10 August 2020, Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council, took a decision to approve a top-up grant round of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (DGF) and to authorise the acting deputy chief executive – place, jointly with the interim head of finance, to award the grants.

The chair of the Scrutiny Committee agreed to waive call in due to the Government requirement for the grant fund to close on 28 August 2020.

Emergency Assistance Grant policy

On 28 August 2020, Councillor Debby Hallett, Deputy council Leader (in the absence of Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council) approved a grants policy and eligibility criteria to distribute the Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for food and other essential supplies.

The chair of the Scrutiny Committee agreed to waive call in due to the urgent need to open the grant scheme to allow the council to distribute the funds to support those in need.

Commercial negotiations with Capita and the review of Exchequer Services and Finance IT systems

Cabinet, at its meeting on 25 September 2020, considered a confidential report on the above issues.

The chair of the Scrutiny Committee agreed to waive call in to allow for the early implementation and progress of Cabinet’s decisions.

Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council, provided an update on a number of matters. The text of her address is available on the council’s website.

Council noted the details of urgent decisions taken by Cabinet members and Cabinet as set out on the agenda in respect of the following issues:

·         Discretionary grants fund

·         Discretionary business grants round two

·         Discretionary business grants top up fund

·         Emergency Assistance Grant policy

·         Commercial negotiations with Capita and the review of Exchequer Services and Finance IT systems