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RESOLVED: that
Cabinet:
a) Approved the recommended
plan for distribution of the allocated £5,199,257 HSF4, as
set out in section 6 of the report.
b) Agreed that any under-spend
and/or unclaimed support vouchers in a particular category of spend
may be re-allocated to other categories based on need and demand as
agreed by the Director of Public Health and Cabinet
Member.
c) Noted the proposed
consultation period and pilot to explore use of support vouchers to
access Food Clubs/Larders.
 
REASONS RESOLVED:
·        
The options proposed align with the Department for
Work and Pensions guidance and with the Council’s
Anti-poverty Strategy.
·        
The recommended allocations are based on learning
from previous HSF schemes including demand for different types of
support.
 
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
Authorities have discretion on
exactly how this funding is used within the scope set out in the
DWP Guidance. Key requirements of The Fund are that it:

·        
is used to meet immediate needs and help those who
are struggling to afford energy and water bills, food, and other
related essentials.

·        
is allocated to vulnerable households in most need
of support, giving particular consideration to households
ineligible for other government support with cost of living and
ensuring needs of different household types are considered (e.g.
children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and
disabled people).