Mayoral Relief Fund

The Mayoral Relief Fund has now closed.

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Criteria

The fund is for affected individuals/families, rural communities, community organisations, and small businesses that:

• Have experienced financial hardship caused by a natural disaster event
• Require basic needs, household goods, and personal items (uninsured or underinsured)
• Support with clearing debris from properties that are not insured or are underinsured

Funds contributed to the Mayoral Relief Fund will not be used for council's administrative or business costs.

The fund is a last resort measure when other appropriate sources of funding have been exhausted. Disaster relief funds are not intended to replace other existing funding sources, such as:

• Welfare (MSD and Work & Income, etc)
• Infrastructure - The government will meet some costs of essential infrastructure
• Insurance or costs covered by other funding sources
• Other response costs - 60 percent funded by the Government (above the local authority's threshold) and 40 percent funded by the local authority.

Delegations and Responsibilities

The Mayor (and the Deputy Mayor in the absence of the Mayor) has delegated authority to approve applications to the Mayoral Relief Fund for grants and financial assistance, within the parameters of the Fund Criteria. The Mayor is responsible for exercising good judgment in applying the Mayoral Relief Fund, ensuring that expenditure is appropriate, transparent, and appropriate monitoring processes are in place.

The Group Manager Finance and Policy is responsible for providing the Risk and Assurance Committee with a summary of expenditure on the Mayoral Relief Fund. The Group Manager Finance and Policy is responsible for reporting to the National Emergency Management Agency on the use of the Mayoral Relief Fund.

Application Process

Download the Mayoral Relief Fund Application Form or collect a copy form Council's office and community libraries. Applications may be received via Council’s website, and either emailed to help.desk@cluthadc.govt.nz or posted/delivered to Council. Applications will remain open for a set period after a significant event as determined by the Mayor.

Mayoral Relief Fund Application Form

NOTE: You will need to state:

• Your address, and at which address the damage or loss occurred.
• Whether you are insured (include quotes and photos where required).
• If you have support or assistance around, you such as family or friends.
• If you have any immediate welfare issues or concerns, such as the availability of food, shelter and clothing, or;
• If you have been in contact with agencies such as MSD, WINZ and your local Foodbank.

Decisions on Funding

The Mayor will assess applications based on the criteria and decide on whether to allocate funds. Advice may be sought from Council staff. The Mayor may elect to form a panel at any time to assist with the decision making on the distribution of funds from the Mayoral Relief Fund. Members of the panel will be appointed at the Mayor’s discretion. Meetings to determine the allocation of funding will be minuted.

Applicants will be advised in writing of the decision relating to their application.

Conditions of Receiving a Mayoral Fund Grant

All grants provided must be used for the purpose for which they were given. Receivers of a Mayoral Relief Fund grant may be required to meet certain conditions and provide supporting documentation to substantiate their claim.