Agenda item

This report seeks approval for the allocation and the distribution of the Household Support Fund extension funding, which runs from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To note that Brent’s allocation for the Household Support Fund (HSF) for the period 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024 was £2,781,222.28.

(2)    To approve the proposed approach for allocating and distributing the HSF as set out in paragraphs 3.10 to 4.14 of the report.

(3)    To approve the proposed approach whereby the Corporate Director, Partnerships, Housing and Residents Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resident Services & Culture will exercise authority to establish and modify detailed eligibility criteria regarding the Household Support Fund grant scheme as may be necessary to enable appropriate allocation of funding in accordance with (2) above.

(4)    To approve the proposed approach whereby the Corporate Director, Partnerships, Housing and Residents Services in consultation with Cabinet Member for Resident Services & Culture has the authority to amend the Council’s eligibility criteria during the lifetime of this Household Support Fund extension period if necessary for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3.6 of the report, subject to the parameters set by the Department for Work and Pensions in its Determination and Guidance.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 4 June 24

Councillor Donnelly-Jackson (Cabinet Member for Resident Services & Culture) introduced a report seeking approval for the allocation and distribution of the Household Support Fund (HSF) extension funding, which would run from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.

In presenting the report, Councillor Donnelly-Jackson explained that the Government’s recent Spring Budget had announced, following lobbying, that the Household Support Fund would be renewed from 1 April 2024 until 30 September 2024, with an allocation for Brent of £2.8m.

Having explained the context of the report, Councillor Donnelly-Jackson detailed the proposals for utilising the HSF allocation, including providing support to families currently receiving free school meals during half-terms and the six-week summer holiday period, which would support 10,000 children across Brent. The proposed allocations would also provide Brent’s 440 care leavers with vouchers, and support 6,500 disabled households with vouchers towards the cost of food, fuel and household bills. In addition, £200,000 would be allocated to Brent’s Credit Union to support households struggling to manage multiple debt, which she pointed out had already supported 306 households from 2020 to 2024 with over £1.1m in interest free loans.  In addition, £90,000 would be allocated to community projects by partner organisations such as Advice for Renters and SUFRA. The remainder of the allocation of £1.2m would top up the existing Resident Support Fund which residents could apply to for support with food, energy, water and wider essentials.

In considering the context of the report, Cabinet expressed concern at the lack of communication from central government regarding extension of the HSF beyond September 2024.  Members viewed the lack of certainty in being able to forward plan as an ineffective model in addressing the conditions residents found themselves but highlighted that the Council would continue to support the most vulnerable residents in the borough through the Resident Support Fund to ensure that no-one was left behind.

In terms of the proposed allocation of funding, Members were supportive of the approach outlined having noted the commitment to continue to support the most vulnerable households in the borough and reduce the financial burden arising from the cost-of-living crisis.

Officers were thanked for their work in preparing the report and it was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)    Note that Brent’s allocation for the Household Support Fund (HSF) for the period 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024 is £2,781,222.28.

(2)    Approves the proposed approach for allocating and distributing the HSF as set out in paragraphs 3.10 to 4.14 of the accompanying report.

(3)    Approves the proposed approach whereby the Corporate Director of Partnerships, Housing & Resident Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resident Services & Culture, will exercise authority to establish and modify detailed eligibility criteria regarding the Household Support Fund grant scheme as may be necessary, to enable appropriate allocation of funding in accordance with recommendations (2) above.

(4)    Approves the proposed approach whereby the Corporate Director of Partnerships, Housing & Resident Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resident Services & Culture, has the authority to amend the Council’s eligibility criteria during the lifetime of this Household Support Fund extension period if necessary for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3.6 of the accompanying report, subject to the parameters set by the Department for Work and Pensions in its Determination and Guidance.