Purpose

To seek approval of the Household Support
Fund
Policy and its proposed allocation, including change of budget to
reflect this funding.

Content

That the Committee
for Strategy and Resources:
 
1. Approved the
Household Support Fund Policy 7 April 2025 – March 2026 and
change of budget to reflect this funding as outlined in this
report.
 
2. Authorised the
Director of Finance (S151 Officer) in consultation with the Chair
of the Strategy and Resources Committee to take all steps required
to accept and spend (including procuring and awarding contracts
over £500k) for the £7.1m of the extended allocation of
the DWP Household Support Fund as outlined in Household Support
Fund 7 Policy April 2025 – March 2026, and up to the maximum
budget envelope outlined in this report.
 
3. Noted the Finance
Urgent Key Decisions taken in March 2025 to allocate £700,000
to the council’s Local Crisis and Prevention Fund, and in
April 2025 to spend £352,500 on Free School Meals food
vouchers over the May half terms school holidays from this
fund.