Issue - meetings
Performance Reward Grant Funding
Meeting: 09/10/2012 - Cabinet (Item 59)
59 Performance Reward Grant Funding 
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(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)
Report of the Head of Community Engagement
Additional documents:
Minutes:
(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)
Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to seek approval of members for amendments to the allocation of the Performance Reward Grant funding previously allocated towards the Warm Homes Scheme.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
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Option 1: The council directs PRG funding to the HIA to deliver a Affordable Warmth Improvement Programme which is supportive of the original aims of the Warm Homes scheme |
Option 2: Take back the funds to address other priorities within the capital programme |
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Advantages |
· Provides tangible benefits for vulnerable people · Contributes to the achievement of one of the Council’s Corporate Priorities · Funds could be delivered as part of a capital programme through the HIA utilising their existing technical staff · The HIA have many years of experience delivering similar home improvement type grants utilising our directly employed handypersons and local approved contractors to carry improvements for vulnerable residents |
· The council will be able to redirect the funds to meet alternative objectives |
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Disadvantages |
· Some officer time required to administer funds and monitor progress · Fund will be unavailable to support other initiatives |
· The council will have lost an opportunity to reduce mortality and help vulnerable groups increase their resilience to periods of cold weather · Council will have reduced capacity to achieve Health and Wellbeing success measures |
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Risks |
· Project outcomes not delivered - low risk but could occur due to failure to reach relevant client groups · Mitigation: The HIA have an excellent track record of delivering similar schemes and have management arrangements in place to address any issues which may arise
· Priorities may change dependent on need – Low risk but could change the type of assistance provided by the HIA · Mitigation: Delegated decision making to the Leader of the Council will allow for quick progress. |
· Dependent on the alternative use of the funds · The PRG funding has been provided to support a range of partnership initiatives. Partners in the district have been engaged in the process of identifying priorities and will have expectations for the use of the funds |
The officer preferred option was Option 1 as this delivered the original objectives of the funding and supported Health and Wellbeing Outcomes and Success Measures in the Council’s Corporate Plan. The Council could demonstrate its strong commitment to health and wellbeing in the Lancaster district by directing the available PRG funding towards the proposed Affordable Warmth Improvement Programme. This would enable the HIA to offer support to vulnerable residents which was not available elsewhere. However, these initiatives were complex and amendments to the plans would certainly be required – by delegating authority to the Leader to approve those decisions Cabinet would ensure that approval was given in a timely manner.
Through identifying and applying for additional external funding where opportunities might arise, Cabinet would be able to continue to add value to affordable warmth related activities operating in the district. Affordable ... view the full minutes text for item 59