Decision details

In response to the continuing Covid-19 situation, the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced a Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies to support people who are struggling with food and essential supplies.   The County Council’s  share of the grant is £737,319.  The accompanying guidance states the receiving authority can use its discretion to support those most in need. It is proposed to introduce a simple countywide approach to ensure the funding supports those in need quickly.

The Director of Law & Assurance, with the agreement of the Cabinet Member for Fire & Rescue and Communities and the Chairman of the Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee, has used his delegated powers under Standing Order 5.23 for approval to be given that:

1)   the allocations from the Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies to the voluntary sector organisations set out in paragraph 2.1;

2)   the remaining funds from the grant be allocated to customers known to the County Council as set out in paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3;

3)   West Sussex County Council works in line with government guidance and applies the agreed criteria to support residents in hardship as a result of Covid-19 in partnership with District and Boroughs and the voluntary sector; and

4)   the Acting Director of Communities, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Support Services, is authorised to rebalance the allocation according to greatest need in the event that the funds allocated under 2.1 prove insufficient.