Issue details
Decision to allocate underspend within the Covid Recovery plan to support oversubscribed grant schemes
The global Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting
measures taken to reduce the spread of the virus have had an
unprecedented impact on the national and local economy and on
people’s wellbeing and mental (as well as physical) health.
Nationally the magnitude of the recession caused by the pandemic is
unprecedented, GDP declined by 9.8% in 2020 the steepest drop since
records began in 1948.
The pandemic has also had a severe impact on people’s mental
health and wellbeing, due to long periods of anxiety, isolation,
and uncertainty. The Herefordshire Community Wellbeing Survey 2021
found 28% of people reported high levels of anxiety, 32%
experienced drop in household income, 33% doing less exercise, and
30% sleeping less well. Wellbeing is lowest in those living in the
most deprived areas.
The council has worked across all directorates to support
businesses, residents and communities throughout the pandemic to
remain as safe as possible and to prevent and reduce spread of
infection and protect those most vulnerable in our society.
Our focus now moves towards recovery. Over the coming months the
true impact of the pandemic will become better known for the
economy, community wellbeing and the organisation.
To support the recovery cabinet approved a £6.1m COVID
Recovery Plan which includes the economy, community wellbeing and
organisation. The recovery plan now focuses on the immediate
impactful actions we need to take in the short term. Our priorities
are to:
- Establish Safe and Welcoming Places
- Support Business Viability and Resilience,
- Support Employment
- Support Wellbeing.
There has been underspend identified across some schemes within the
original covid recovery plan allocation whereas these grant schemes
have been oversubscribed.
The allocation of the additional funds will support applications
that have met the grant criteria however were unable to be funded
through the initial process due to funding
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 22/03/2022
Decision due: 22 March 2022 by Director of Resources and Assurance
Contact: Michelle Wood, Project Manager Email: michelle.wood3@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Decisions