Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Director of Finance, which updated Members on the final position regarding delivery of the Government’s Household Support Fund for the past six months. 

Appendix A of the report outlined the Household Support Fund spend for the period 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.  This included expenditure from partner organisations including Halton Citizens Advice Bureau, Runcorn Foodbank, Widnes Foodbank, Affordable Warmth, Holiday Activity Food Programme and Halton Voluntary Action.        

A spending plan for 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025 had been prepared and was attached at Appendix B.  It was noted that £75,000 had been allocated to the Discretionary Support Scheme within the Benefits Division to process means tested applications.

          It was proposed that pensioners who were in receipt of a council tax reduction, would be provided with a one-off award of £130.  It was estimated that 4,200 pensioner households would benefit from this award, at a total cost of £546,000. 

RESOLVED: That the Board note:

1)    the final position regarding the Household Support Fund for the period 1 April 2024 – 30 September 2024; and

2)    the spending plan for the Household Support Fund for the period 1 October 2024 – 31 March 2025.