Report to follow.

The Divisional Director, Education and Partnership informed the Sub Committee that the report sought the continuation of the discretionary clothing grant in the academic year 2017/18.

The written comments of GSSC were noted and Members were informed that

·         families claiming working tax credit would be able to apply although benefits financial thresholds operated by the Department of Work and Pensions applied.

·         That the award was advertised via the Council website

Members recommended that there should be adequate signposting for the award.

DECISION

2.1            That the provision by the Council of school clothing grants in 2017/18 within the budget specified in paragraph 5.1 of the report be approved.

2.2            That the Corporate Director Resources or her duly authorised representatives be authorised to be able to determine the granting of funds from that budget on a time for time basis for the purposes of carrying out the activities described in this report.

The Divisional Director, Education and Partnership informed the Sub Committee that the report asked Members to agree to the continuation of the discretionary clothing grant in the academic year 2017/18.

The written comments of GSSC were noted and Members were informed that:

·         families claiming working tax credit would be able to apply although benefits financial thresholds operated by the Department of Work and Pensions applied.

·         That the scheme was advertised via the Council website

Members recommended that there should be adequate signposting for the scheme.

RESOLVED

1.            That the provision by the Council of school clothing grants in 2017/18 within the budget specified in paragraph 5.1 of the report be approved.

2.               That the Corporate Director Resources or her duly authorised representatives be authorised to be able to determine the granting of funds from that budget on a time for time basis for the purposes of carrying out the activities described in this report.

To follow

Christine McInnes, Service Head for Education and Partnerships apologised for the lateness of the report. She explained the report was seeking a budget of 201K for the School Clothing Grant 2017/18. The grant would assist those families in need, in order to pay for school clothing.

Members of the Sub-Committee asked the following questions:

·         Can the criteria, for who is entitled to the grant be made clear? Some constituents who receive ‘working tax credit’ have been refused the grant.

·         How are you making families aware of the clothing Grant and have you informed parents this is available to them?

·         What is the take up for the grant? Can analysis be provided showing the number of beneficiaries to families in receipt of Benefits?

·         How has the sum of £110 (point 3.1) been reached? Is this arbitrary. Would be useful to know when this was last reviewed.

The Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee NOTED the report and AGREED to endorse the recommendations contained within the report and asked their comments be reported to the Grants Determination Sub-Committee.