Decision details

Purpose of Report: To propose a council scheme for the new Household support fund announced by Government in the Autumn Statement.

The Executive Member will be asked to approve the scheme.

Decision due date for Executive Member for Finance and Performance changed from 13/03/2023.  Reason: This item has been deferred to a future meeting of Decision Session - Executive Member for Finance and Performance, yet to be confirmed, to allow the Government to provide the details of the Household Support Scheme.

Decision due date for Executive Member for Finance and Performance updated to 23/03/2023.  This decision will be made in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods.

Decision due date for Executive Member for Finance and Performance changed from 23/03/2023 to 24/03/2023.  Reason: Due to the Executive Member’s availability.

Resolved: That;

a)   the council’s HSF scheme April 2023 – March 24 (as detailed at Annex A of the published report) be approved.

b)   that any changes to the scheme that do not fundamentally alter the purpose be delegated to the Section 151 officer in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance & Major Projects.

c)   the discretion to pay claims made within the broader scope of the scheme guidance as set out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (as detailed in Annex B of the published report) be delegated to the Head of Customer & Exchequer Services.      

Reason:     To provide financial support to the city’s most financially vulnerable residents from April 2023 to March 2024 arising from the ongoing cost of living increases.