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.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Both (expenditure > £250,000 and affects 2 or more wards);
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 03/04/2025
Reason for urgency:
It is noted and accepted that the decision cannot be suspended during completion of a potential call-in process. The decision is required to be implemented urgently and without delay to enable the Council to submit its Delivery Plan to the DWP by the 30 May 2025 for the Household Support Scheme funds to be delivered between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 for the benefit of the community. The call-in process, if referred to OSB would exceed the deadline date for the submission of the delivery plan to OSB on the 30 May 2025.
It is noted and accepted the delay likely to be caused by a call-in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s and the public’s interest in that it would prevent the submission of the delivery plan to OSB by the 30 May 2025 resulting grant funding being unavailable to assist vulnerable residents of Middlesbrough.
It is noted an accepted therefore that the decision is urgent and will not be subject call-in provisions and agreed that it will proceed under
Anticipated restriction: Public -
Decision due: 14 May 2025 by Executive
Lead member: 7) Executive Member for Finance
Contact: Janette Savage, Head of Resident and Business Support Email: Janette_Savage@middlesbrough.gov.uk.