Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council adopt the proposed Local Household Support Fund - scheme 3 (HSF 3), with the majority of the £337,853 funding allocation being targeted as one-off grants to households receiving council tax support with one or more of the following priority characteristics:

Component amounts are cumulative, so household awards will range between £100 and £650. Component amounts may need to be amended following the final data extract to ensure the scheme could be delivered for the available budget.

Eligibility will be determined based on the household position on 14 December 2022 entitlement date.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which sought Members’ agreement on disbursing funding from the third Household Support Fund scheme which would support households who most needed support. Two schemes had been previously run and this scheme would run until 31 March 2023, to help households who may be struggling with their budgets at a time when fuel costs are likely to be at their highest, whilst other national support would have been paid.

The scheme was being run in partnership with Devon County Council on how the funds would be spent. Local data was used to target households in particular need, using a combination of low household income and council tax arrears. Households on low income included characteristics such as those with single parents, pensioners, and disabled persons. Where the data showed that there were also council tax arrears, further investigation would occur for appropriate support to be provided where possible. A balance was required between the number of households that could be supported and the meaningful amount of support that could be provided in a timely manner.

Councillor D. Moore, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item. She welcomed the report and enquired if cash vouchers could be redeemed at Post Offices by individuals on behalf of family members who were unable to attend in person.

In response to questions raised, the Benefits & Welfare Lead advised:-

·        that vouchers could be redeemed by another person, providing they showed proper identification at the Post Office;

·        an open application system had been avoided to support single parents requiring extra help and that othersupport schemes were also available through Devon County Council such as Children’s Services; and

·        that non-dependent reduction was applied when a child entailment payment was no longer available when the individual became an adult.

Members recognised the importance of avoiding a complicated and resource intensive system to deliver support to residents in a timely manner. Members thanked the officers for the work undertaken, as well as quickly implementing the various schemes after Government notification.

RECOMMENDED that Council adopt the proposed Local Household Support Fund - scheme 3 (HSF 3), with the majority of the £337,853 funding allocation being targeted as one-off grants to households receiving council tax support with one or more of the following priority characteristics:

Component amounts are cumulative, so household awards will range between £100 and £650. Component amounts may need to be amended following the final data extract to ensure the scheme could be delivered for the available budget.

Eligibility will be determined based on the household position on 14 December 2022 entitlement date.