Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Finance.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approves the adoption of the proposed Household Support Fund – scheme 4 (HSF4), consisting of the following three projects:-

(1)  one-off support targeted at households identified through Council Tax Support records. Awards to be paid by cash voucher posted to customers by the end of September 2023, as detailed in paragraph 8.9 of the report;

(2)  an application based scheme for people with characteristics identified as having a priority need where households cannot be individually identified from existing records. Applications to open from October 2023 as detailed in paragraph 8.18 of the report; and

(3)  a flexible scheme allowing unspent funding to be allocated to individuals or groups needing extra support between January and March 2024.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which sought Members’ agreement for the dispersal of funding for the fourth Household Support Fund scheme, which was funded from the Department for Work and Pensions. The fourth scheme covered a 12 month period which allowed for a longer timeframe to provide more support to low income households during the cost of living crisis.

Particular reference was made to the three project approach outlined in the report:-

·         to provide one-off support targeted at households identified through Council Tax Support records;

·         running an application based scheme to reach customers identified as having a priority need where they could be individually identified from existing records; and

·         providing a flexible scheme to allow any unspent funding to be allocated to individuals or groups needing extra support between January and March 2024.

Councillor M. Mitchell, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and enquired on the certainty that those in need would receive financial support?

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

·         the modelling for financial support was based on an extract from the Council Tax support case load and the figures were estimates based on the data held and could be subject to change;

·         the scheme was modelled on a full spend by the end September 2023, and if there were no claims withdrawn, the 45% spending agreement with Devon County Council would be met;

·         there were several agencies, who the Council worked with, which included various internal departments, who would support advertising the scheme. Engagement would also be undertaken with various charities, the food bank, and Devon County Councils networks; and

·         the Council provided different payment methods to address different scenarios, which included vouchers which could be redeemed for cash at a Post Office, and using organisations which could provide shopping vouchers.

RECOMMENDED that Council approves the adoption of the proposed Household Support Fund – scheme 4 (HSF4), consisting of the following three projects:-

(1)  one-off support targeted at households identified through Council Tax Support records. Awards to be paid by cash voucher posted to customers by the end of September 2023, as detailed in paragraph 8.9 of the report;

(2)  an application based scheme for people with characteristics identified as having a priority need where households cannot be individually identified from existing records. Applications to open from October 2023 as detailed in paragraph 8.18 of the report; and

(3)  a flexible scheme allowing unspent funding to be allocated to individuals or groups needing extra support between January and March 2024.