Content

Title of Decision Requested: Household Support
Fund 7
Decision requested by decision maker: Approval of HHF7 Scheme

Reasons for the decision

Decision requested by decision maker: Approval
of HHF7 Scheme
A grant of £393,198.53 (plus 12% admin) has been allocated to
North Devon Council from Devon County Council as part of their
overall allocation from DWP. These funds must be spent by 31st
March 2026.
North Devon Council proposed scheme:
1) All working age households, who receive an element of council
tax reduction, as at 1st August, will receive a voucher for
£50. These payments will be made via the Post Office Payout
Scheme which can be exchanged for cash at any Post Office within
the district.
2) An application scheme will allow agreed 3rd party organisations
to apply for funds on behalf of their clients. A full list of
agreed 3rd parties will be available on the NDC website. Awards
will generally range from £100 - £300 depending on
circumstances. These awards will be made via Post Office Payout
Vouchers, supermarket vouchers & white good vouchers. Dependent
on circumstances occasionally payment via BACS may be appropriate.
Any payment over £500 would need to be approved by a Head of
Service.
3) As part of this application scheme, £5k will be allocated
to the Vulnerable Persons and Community Safety Team to award to
their clients in the same way as the 3rd party application
scheme.
1. BACKGROUND / REASONS FOR THE DECISION REQUEST
1.1. We had originally planned for the scheme to start in August
2025 with the intention of a report being presented to Strategy
& Resources Committee on 4th August. This date has now been
brought forward to mid-July which has necessitated the need for an
Urgent Decision.

Alternative options considered

n/a