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RESOLVED: Cabinet;

a)   
Noted that the Household Support Fund (5) investment
is to be managed locally.

b)   
Approved the provisional scope and Diversity of
Distribution as set out in section 4 of this report.

c)   
Approved the control and oversight approach to be
undertaken through the existing WNC Public Health team.

d)   
Authorised any funds that have not been assigned or
committed to by 30th September 2024according to the distribution
methodology set out in section 4, to be redistributed in line with
the wider Department for Work and Pensions Guidelines.
 
REASONS RESOLVED:
·        
It is recommended that the Household Support Fund
(5) high priority recipients will be primarily funding a lower
income sector of the working community, households in crisis and
families with children.
·        
The distribution of funds must meet the wider
communities’ financial needs, where other grants and funding
are not available
·        
An application process is required, and will be
managed in-house which provides additional security and
confidentiality of data
·        
Where possible the level of duplication of grants
for the same purpose must be minimised which is why the in-house
team is recommended.
·        
It provides real benefit to underpin the West
Northamptonshire Anti-Poverty Strategy and ensure residents most in
need receive support
·        
It builds on the successful Household Support Fund
(4) partnership with the VCSE in distributing funds via the
downstream voluntary organisations to residents that may not
otherwise be identified through the benefits system
·        
All awards and funding should be complimented by
wrap around support schemes to promote long term, sustainable
support with financial wellbeing.
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
None