Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council grant delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness Prevention & Customer Services to agree the scheme for disbursing funding from the seventh Household Support Fund.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which sought approval to grant delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness Prevention & Customer Services, to agree a scheme for disbursing funding from the seventh Household Support Fund for a 12-month period, commencing in April 2025.

Particular reference was made to:-

·         the Household Support Scheme 7 had been announced in the previous year's budget, and further guidance and details on the distribution of funds was pending;

·         the allocation from Devon County Council was also currently unknown, but the scheme was expected to be similar to previous versions in supporting low-income households with essential costs like food and energy; and

·         the funding was expected to align with previous schemes, allowing for flexibility in fund distribution over the year.

During the discussion, Executive Members raised the following points and questions:-

·         was it possible to receive a summary of the work for Household Support Fund Scheme 6;

·         the high demand for support in Scheme 6, with more than 1,000 requests within a three-week period was noted;

·         enquired about the total number of applications and impact on free school meals for the fund distribution;

·         the importance of the work being undertaken was highlighted;

·         enquired if there was the potential for any further improvements; and

·         clarification was sought on whether a new framework with Devon County Council was required for Scheme 7, or would it continue on from scheme 6?

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

·         achievements of Scheme 6 included direct awards of £200, given to 923 pensioners totalling at £185,000. The open application scheme began in November 2024, with 1,650 awards being granted to date and £50,000 still remained to cover the period until the end of March 2025;

·         there were two team members in the Welfare Service, who were proactive in using data to contact eligible households;

·         there hasn’t been any general widespread publicity on the scheme but the team had worked closely with voluntary sector organisations including Exeter Community Energy and Exeter Foodbank help reach those in need;

·         government guidance stated that each household support fund was a separate scheme, and funding must be spent and committed in the specific period, with no rollover of funds; and

·         there was a potential issue around the Devon County Council allocation concerning free school meals, which could impact on future distributions.

The Leader moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RECOMMENDED that Council grant delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness Prevention & Customer Services to agree the scheme for disbursing funding from the seventh Household Support Fund.