Decision Maker: Delegated Decisions

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 15, 2025

Purpose: To outline and agree grant expenditure against the household Support fund in 2025-26.

Content: 1.         That the following proposed funding themes and indicative levels of allocations, be approved: Eligible Spending Theme Milton Keynes City Council Delivery Plan Indicative % FundEstimate Energy and Water ?    Voucher payments direct to Energy suppliers. ?    Financial support towards service charges for Energy and Water. 10% Food ?    Voucher support for food. ?    Payments to local charities for food supplies ?    Support to families entitled to Free School Meals 25% Wider Essentials ?    Purchase of Items linked to Energy and warmth – E.G Heating/Bedding / Carpets. ?    Purchase of Items linked to Food – E.G Cookers, Hobs, Utensils ?    Financial Support for essential costs – E.G Travel, Phone connection, Uniform ?    Discretionary Support to Council Tax 25% Housing Costs ?    Essential support to secure tenancy following expenditure of other funds such as Discretionary Housing Payments and Homeless Prevention Fund. 5% Advice Services ?    Allocation of funds to chosen advice services. 5% Preventative Support ?    Funding of community hubs and partnerships that develop community resilience, wellbeing and health. ?    Outreach campaigns that identify households that are just about managing and signposting to support services that will increase resilience and reduce risk of financial hardship. ?    Funding to local partners such as parish councils 20% Administrative Costs ?    Local Welfare Team costs in processing applications ?    ICT costs for data profiling to identify households in need of support. ?    Campaign costs 10% 2.         That authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Resources and Customer Experience, to administer the Household Support Fund Programme 2025/26 and to make any necessary amendments to funding allocations to ensure that the grant is fully utilised. 3.         That the allocation of funds be subject to quarterly reviews.