Decision details

The purpose of the report was to seek approval for the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme for the 2025/26 financial year. In addition, the report sought delegated authority be provided to the Director of Finance and Transformation, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, to make any modifications or minor revisions to the scheme and make decisions in respect of any remaining funds to ensure they were distributed in line with the guidance and within the defined timescales.

ORDERED that Executive:

1.    Approves the HSF delivery plan for 2025/6, which would be delivered between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 as set out in Table 1 (paragraph 4.7) to target the main groups below where each had a Council Tax or rental liability for their home:

·         Families with children in receipt of benefits.

·         Pensioners in receipt of Council Tax Reduction but not eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment (who could this year receive the full amount of the Winter Fuel Payment from HSF)

·         Pensioners who were not in receipt of Council Tax Reduction subject to the qualifying criteria (listed in table 1, para 4.7).

·         Singles/Couples which includes those of pensionable age in receipt of benefits.

·         Application-based awards for residents not in receipt of CTR or other benefits.

2.    Approves that any remaining funds following implementation of the delivery plan were allocated to Council Tax accounts, with a then current award of CTR and where an outstanding balance remained following the issue of a summons in the 2025/26 financial year. The Council also reserved the right to widen the group to include those accounts not in receipt of CTR.

3.      Approves that delegated authority be provided to the Director of Finance and Transformation in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance to make any modifications or minor revisions to the scheme and make decisions in respect of any remaining funds to ensure they are distributed in line with the guidance and within the defined timescales.