Purpose

The purpose of the decision is
to confirm the use and allocation of the Household Support Fund
tranche five, for the period April – September 2024. The
funding will be used to support a range of activities to support
low income residents in the borough.

Content

1.             
Agreed that the Department for Work and
Pensions’ Household Support Fund of £2.34m for the
period 1st April 2024- 30th September 2024 is
to be allocated as follows:

 

1.1        
Targeted payments to support those at greater risk,
including Children eligible for Free School Meals, Care Leavers,
households supported by the Nil Recourse to Public Funds team and
households in temporary accommodation in hotels (up to
£1.635m).

1.2    An
increase in the funding to support vulnerable households through
the Council’s Emergency Support Scheme (up to
£0.5m).

1.3    An
increase in funding to continue the uprated amounts for school
uniform grants for eligible children in Greenwich schools
(£0.025m).

1.4    To
provide resources to the Welfare Rights Service to increase the
capacity of the Money Advice Team to provide capacity for residents
needing emergency support, and to provide funding to continue
Advice Outreach throughout the borough (£0.35m).

1.5    As part
of the £0.35m allocation detailed in 1.14, to award the
following direct grants (total £187,254.46) to continue
Advice Outreach throughout the borough:

 

·       
£61,401 to Greenwich Citizens Advice
Bureau (company
registration number 03346379)

·       
£67,200 to Greenwich Housing Rights (company
registration number 01874645)

·       
£45,500 to Plumstead Community Law Centre Ltd
(company registration number 01778148)

·       
£13,153.46 to Greenwich Cooperative
Development Agency (registered society number RS007029)
 
2.             
Noted that the above allocations total £2.51m,
which is approximately £0.2m in excess of the grant award
from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). Total spend will
not exceed the £2.34m grant award, with the final amount
allocated to the Emergency Support Scheme (clause 1.1.2) dependent
on actual spend on targeted payments (clause 1.1.1) and any
administrative costs incurred.

 
3.             
Delegated authority to the Director of Finance (S.
151 Officer) to take all necessary steps to implement this package
of measures, in consultation with the Cabinet
Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills, and Leader of
the Council as necessary.