Decision details

The Council is working with Parish Councils and community groups to ensure there is a coordinated and effective Covid-19 response that supports the most vulnerable people in our communities.

During the initial national lockdown phase of the response back in March, the Council provided some core essentials such as hand sanitiser. This was when similar challenges were faced across the whole area and a national system was in place that meant many people needed to stay indoors and others shield from the virus due to pre-existing medical conditions.

In the current phase of the pandemic it is expected that community groups could be required to support people at short notice. This is due to the fact individuals and families may be asked to self-isolate without warning. However, no national programme of groups needing to shield is in place at this time. In this phase there is also a need to ensure support is available, for items such as food or heat and light, for anyone who is in acute and urgent financial hardship. This one-off support would fill the gap while further support is put in place, such as a benefits application or self-isolation grant.

A funding pot of £50,000 is to be made available for groups to ensure support is available at a local level when it is needed. Of the total pot, small upfront grants of between £100 and £400 (based on the number of homes in the community) are to be offered to each parish/local community group so money is readily available for those who need it.

To agree to making a total pot of £50,000 available for Covid-19 community support. For upfront funding of between £100 and £400 to be offered to each community for items such as sanitiser, printing and supporting those in acute need due to hardship and an immediate need to self-isolate. Further funding to be awarded by officers if groups require it to manage local outbreaks.

Upfront funding will ensure those in the greatest and acute need can be supported in the short term and ensure further support, such as a self-isolation grant can be applied for and processed. The funding will ensure people are able to abide by self-isolation and help control the spread of the virus.