Agenda item

This report seeks approval of the Household Support Fund 6 policy and its proposed £4.039m allocation, including a change of budget to reflect this funding.  The report also seeks approval to authorise all steps required to accept and spend the remaining £3 million of the extended allocation.  The committee is also asked to note the urgent financial key decision taken in September 2024 to spend £1,021,500 of the Household Support Fund in respect of free school meals food vouchers over the October and Christmas school holidays.

The Committee RESOLVED (unanimously):

1. To approve the Household Support Fund Policy October 2024 - March 2025 and change of budget to reflect the funding as outlined in the report.

2. To authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee, to take all steps required to accept and spend (including procuring and awarding contracts over £500k) the remaining £3 million of the extended allocation of the DWP Household Support Fund as outlined in Household Support Fund Policy October 2024 – March 2025, and up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

3. To note the finance urgent key decision taken in September 2024 to spend £1,021,500 of the Household Support Fund in respect of Free School Meals food vouchers over the October and Christmas school holidays.

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 7) seeking approval of the Household Support Fund (HSF) 6 policy and its proposed £4.039m allocation, including a change of budget to reflect this funding. The report also sought approval to authorise all steps required to accept and spend the remaining £3 million of the extended allocation and asked the Committee to note the urgent financial key decision taken in September 2024 to spend £1,021,500 of the Household Support Fund in respect of free school meals food vouchers over the October and Christmas school holidays.

It was noted that this was a key decision report, as the proposed decision involved spend of more than £500k and had a significant impact on more than 2 wards.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. The extended allocation of the Household Support Fund was generally welcomed.

2. In response to a question, it was confirmed that approx. 5% of the allocation (£197,298) would be used to assist in covering administration costs, which was in line with standard practice.

3. In terms of the funding allocated to the advice sector (£404k), it was noted that it was anticipated that this would also enable advice and support to be targeted to pensioners, especially those affected as a result of changes to the universal Winter Fuel Allowance.

4. In response to a question, it was confirmed that management information was required to be kept and maintained by the relevant organisations and provided to the Council to ensure effective reporting on the delivery of agreed objectives and actual spend.

5. The Chair commented that it was anticipated that the government would be looking to move to a multi-year financial settlement for local authorities, which would assist councils in planning future use of this type of funding.   It was suggested that in early 2025, it may be useful to establish a short-term, cross-party task and finish group to review how the Household Support Fund has been used to date and to consider potential future adjustments to the HSF policy.

The Chair then moved the report recommendations, noting that there was 1 recommendation for noting by the Committee and 2 recommendations for approval.

This was seconded by Cllr Gooch.

The Committee RESOLVED (unanimously):

1. To approve the Household Support Fund Policy October 2024 - March 2025 and change of budget to reflect the funding as outlined in the report.

2. To authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee, to take all steps required to accept and spend (including procuring and awarding contracts over £500k) the remaining £3 million of the extended allocation of the DWP Household Support Fund as outlined in the Household Support Fund Policy October 2024 - March 2025, and up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in the report.

3. To note the finance urgent key decision taken in September 2024 to spend £1,021,500 of the Household Support Fund in respect of Free School Meals food vouchers over the October and Christmas school holidays.