Agenda item

Household Support Fund (HSF) 2

Decision:

RESOLVED:

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a) Noted that the Household Support Fund (2) investment to be managed locally

b) Approved the Recommended Scope and Diversity of Distribution as set out in section 4

c) Approved the control and oversight approach through a central operational team

Reasons for Recommendations:

· The distribution of funds must meet the wider communities’ financial needs, where other grants and funding are not available

· Where possible the level of duplication of grants for the same purpose must be minimised which is why the in-house team is recommended

· It provides real benefit to underpin the Public Health Wellbeing Programme and aligns to the Recovery and Wellbeing Programme

· The recommended course of action is the most cost-effective.

· The residents of NNC will receive the maximum benefit from the option proposed

Alternative Options Considered: The option not to draw down the funds was considered; however, this was discounted as many vulnerable residents would miss additional support at a time when there are increased concerns regarding the cost-of-living increases. An option to provide all households claiming Universal Credit with an additional payment from the Fund was also considered, however, as there are 20,000+ on the database the amount predicted to receive per household would be derisory to the current cost-of-living increases.

Minutes:

The Chair invited Cllr Lyn Buckingham to speak in relation to this item. Cllr Buckingham requested that some of the Household Support Fund (HSF) be used to drive the uptake of pension credit which was underused by those who needed it most. Cllr Buckingham also queried the underspend of the previous tranche of HSF funding.

The Chair thanked Cllr Buckingham for her comments before introducing a report that set out the local strategy for the delivery of the £2.465m Household Support Fund 2 in order to maximise appropriate referrals across a wide set of situational needs.

The Chair noted that the grant fund announced by government on 31^st March 2022 was the second version of the fund, the previous one having been in operation between 1^st December 2021 and 31^st March 2022 across North Northamptonshire to assist a wide variety of households demonstrating extreme financial hardship. The Council had a wide discretion on how the fund could be used to support those residents most in need with assistance for food, utilities and other essentials costs.

It was heard that support would be phased between July and September and included Holiday School Meal Vouchers for the summer holidays; support for pensioners who were already receiving a Pension Credit and those who on Pension Credit but also severely disabled. It was recommended that for households demonstrating severe financial hardship, assistance be operated through the voluntary sector to assist in identifying individuals and families who may not otherwise be on the Council’s radar.

Cllr Harrison welcomed the additional funding, noting that although the previous round of funding has been successfully distributed, learning points had been taken to ensure the Council could continue to support those who needed it most in the most efficient manner.