DIRECTOR DECISION

 

Decision:  To implement the Household Support Fund Scheme 7 (HSF7) as set out at Annex A of this decision. This power was delegated to the Director of Finance at the Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion decision session on 19th September 2024 (Annex B). The full Government Guidance is set out in Annex C and the EIA at Annex D  

 

Type of Decision: Director                                         

                                                                         Key

N

Non-Key

Y

Portfolio Area that decision relates to:

Leader (inc Hsing)

 

 

 

Finance & Performance

X

Eco D & Community Eng

 

 

 

Culture, Leisure & Tourism

 

Environment

 

 

 

Education, Children & Y

 

Transport and Planning

 

 

 

Adult, Social Care (in PH)

 

 

 

 

 

Implications:  Crime & Disorder

 

 

Equalities

 

Other:

Human Resources

 

 

 

 

Legal

 

Highways

 

Financial

 

 

 

 

 

x

ITT

 

Property

 

Decision Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wards Affected: The scheme was open to all wards

All Wards

X

Fishergate

 

Holgate

 

Rural West York

 

Acomb

 

Fulford & Heslington

 

Hull Road

 

Strensall

 

Bishopthorpe

 

Guildhall

 

 

Huntington & New Earswick

 

Westfield

 

Clifton

 

Haxby &

Wigginton

 

Micklegate

 

Wheldrake

 

Copmanthorpe

 

Heworth

 

 

Osbaldwick & Derwent

 

 

 

Dringhouses & Woodthorpe

 

Heworth

Without

 

Rawcliffe & Clifton

 

 

 

Comments/Observations:

£742 million has been made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support vulnerable households with the cost of essentials through the Household Support Fund 7 (“The Fund”). This funding covers the period of 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 inclusive (“The Fund Period”).

City of York Council has received £1,829,279.34 of the £742m fund to support its qualifying residents with meeting immediate needs and help for those who are struggling to afford household essentials including energy and water bills, food, and wider essentials.  The funding must be spent by 31 March 2026.

 The HSF 7 money will be spent as set out below at Table A below:

Budget

£1,829,279

Council Tax Contribution by end of June 25 (£150) - Working age CTS, SMI disregard & Carers CT discount, Disabled band reduction.

 

Cash First payment Oct 2025 (£100) - Working age CTS, SMI, SMI disregard & Carers CT discount, Disabled band reduction

 

Approx 6,050 Households will be supported

£1,407,500

Discretionary application scheme

£100,000

Food & fuel vouchers general

£50,000

Food & fuel vouchers IDAS

£8,000

Direct support for care leavers via Charis

£5,000

York Energy Advice

£20,000

Warm places & family food support and activities

£60,000

Talk money, WAM leaflets, letters to target support from LIFT data, etc.

£5,000

Direct support grants for people in CT arrears & getting HSF advice and grants for people to enable people to remain in private tenancies where DHP not available.

£40,000

Citizens Advice York Debt adviser & project costs

£54,000

Additional community benefits adviser

£40,000

Extra capacity in revenues and benefits to support LIFT work and pilot work on CT debt & take up of HSF

£40,000

 

£1,829,500

 

 

Decision:

 

To approve the HSF 7 Scheme as set out at Annex A and bring back to a future Executive Member Decision Session for ratification. 

 

Decision Made by: Debbie Mitchell

Contact Details:

On behalf of:  Debbie Mitchell Director of Finance

To be implemented by:

David Walker Head Customer Finance Risk & Insurance

 

 

On Completion – Signed off by:

 

 

Debbie Mitchell

Director of Finance

Date: 25/03/2025