Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for BCP Council to accept the £2,653,367.04 allocated by the Department for Work and Pensions under the Household Support Fund (HSF) and to approve the outlined approach for administering the funding.

At least 50% of the total funding must be spent on families with children. The expectation is that the HSF should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills. It can also be used to support households with essential costs related to those items and with wider essential costs.

There is an expectation that Councils begin providing support from the 6 October 2021 until the 31 March 2022.

The Portfolio Holder for Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education in accordance with the constitutional requirements and following publication of the required notice presented an urgent report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'J' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the purpose of the report is to seek approval for BCP Council to accept the £2,653,367.04 allocated by the Department for Work and Pensions under the Household Support Fund (HSF) and to approve the outlined approach for administering the funding.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that at least 50% of the total funding must be spent on families with children, and that the expectation is that the HSF should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills, and that it can also be used to support households with essential costs related to those items and with wider essential costs.

Cabinet was further advised that there is an expectation that Councils begin providing support from the 6 October 2021 until the 31 March 2022.

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet: -

(a)           recommend that Council approve the proposed BCP wide approach to meeting the requirements of the Household Support Fund to be delivered by the Council working in partnership with partner organisations.

(b)           recommend that Council approve the funding proposals detailed within the report and the summary financial implications section of the Cabinet Report (section 25).

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education

The Portfolio Holder for Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education in accordance with the constitutional requirements and following publication of the required notice presented an urgent report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'J' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the purpose of the report is to seek approval for BCP Council to accept the £2,653,367.04 allocated by the Department for Work and Pensions under the Household Support Fund (HSF) and to approve the outlined approach for administering the funding.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that at least 50% of the total funding must be spent on families with children, and that the expectation is that the HSF should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills, and that it can also be used to support households with essential costs related to those items and with wider essential costs.

Cabinet was further advised that there is an expectation that Councils begin providing support from the 6 October 2021 until the 31 March 2022.

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet: -

(a)           recommend that Council approve the proposed BCP wide approach to meeting the requirements of the Household Support Fund to be delivered by the Council working in partnership with partner organisations.

(b)           recommend that Council approve the funding proposals detailed within the report and the summary financial implications section of the Cabinet Report (section 25).

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education