FOI Request - Food Parcels

Request 101002525643

1. Has the Moray Council received funding from the Scottish Government Covid-19 food fund or other monies for the provision of food parcels for residents within the area?
2. Has the Moray Council allocated funds obtained through local taxation[council tax] for the provision of food to residents within the area?
3. Has any of this money been given to Community Councils within Moray to provide food parcels for residents?
4. Assuming money has been provided to Community Councils  on what basis was the amount calculated and the amount of money allocated per head?
5. What criteria was stipulated by Moray Council to Community Councils to determine eligibility for receipt of such parcels?
6. How were persons within the area identified by the Community Councils?
7. On what grounds were persons to be excluded?

Response 08-07-2020

1. Yes

2. No

3. Yes, a proportion of the money provided by the Scottish Government was given to community groups (including Community Councils) through grant awards, up to a maximum of £5,000 per Associated School Group (ASG) area, to support the provision of food which could include food parcels.

4. The money was provided on a grant basis following completion of an application form. There was no per head calculation.

5.  Community groups (including Community Councils) were invited to apply for grant funding to support the following groups:
"Applications should be focussed on Vulnerable Groups including those who have become vulnerable due to isolation and social distancing measures required by COVID-19 e.g. the elderly and also Marginalised People who may be less engaged with public services including the following groups:

• Homeless
• Those with substance dependencies
• Those with existing mental health problems
• Victims of Domestic Abuse
• Refugees
• Asylum Seekers
• Those with no recourse to Public Funds
• Gypsy/Traveller Communities
• Minority Ethnic Communities"

6. In accordance with Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held by the Council. As the community groups who received the grant funding made the decisions regarding who the food was distributed to it is possible that they hold this information instead.

7. In accordance with Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held by the Council. As the community groups who received the grant funding made the decisions regarding who the food was distributed to it is possible that they hold this information instead.