Issue - meetings

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Committee were presented with a report inviting them to consider 4 options on how the new permanent Scottish Welfare Fund could be delivered by the Council in future within the resources made available for this purpose by the Scottish Government.

Motion -

That the Committee –

1.    Agree that from 1 April 2016 all Scottish Welfare Fund awards will be made by cash as described in option 2 contained within the detail of the report.

2.    Agree that customers be encouraged to apply for Scottish Welfare Grants online wherever possible in order to reduce administration costs.

3.    Note the financial and staffing implications of the proposed option as described within the report and that the telephony service will only be available from 1 April 2016 Monday to Friday and from 1.30pm to 5.00pm excluding public holidays.

Moved Councillor Dick Walsh, seconded Councillor Ellen Morton.

Amendment

That the Committee -

1.    Progress Option 3 as detailed in the report.

2.    That the tender should allow for delivery of the service on a same service basis or a cash substitute basis as outlined in Option 2.

3.    Delegate to the Executive Director – Customer Services to ensure that the tender includes a clause to address concerns as raised in paragraph 4.25 of the report.

Moved Councillor James Robb, seconded Councillor Sandy Taylor.

Decision

On a show of hands vote the Motion was carried by 9 votes to 3 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 4 December 2015, submitted)