Emergency support fund agreed by councillors

A contingency fund of up to £100,000 to support residents with essential emergency aid is to be included in East Devon's budget.

The council's cabinet, which met on Wednesday, February 3, unanimously agreed to recommend that full council adopts the budget proposals.

The budget will see the district's share of council tax increase by £5 a year, giving a Band D council tax of £151.78 a year for 2021/22.

The cabinet also agreed to the request of the poverty panel for a contingency budget of £100,000 to allow funds in 2021/22 to support those in need.

Councillors heard that this was a contingency as Government funding may become available to either directly fund the necessary support for them or to signpost residents to appropriate support. If that funding comes in, it will be utilised before the contingency.

£50,000 will also be allocated in the budget for resources or a direct staff appointment on a one-year basis to support members and officers with mental health issues.

The draft budget also includes £300,000 of additional income derived from car park tariff increases for prime car parks, although those proposals have yet to be signed off by full council.

If those plans are rejected, a further report will be required and the cabinet will determine how this lost income can be replaced in the budgets.

The cabinet unanimously agreed to recommend the draft budget to full council when they meet on February 24.