Agenda item

11.1

The report seeks to update Strategy and Resources Committee on the latest allocation of funding received from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) known as the Household Support Fund (HSF) and seeks approval to accept and spend the Household Support Fund from DWP in line with a spending plan.

It was reported that the recommendations in the report were an initial attempt to meet DWP guidance/advice but that following feedback and on reflection a different approach is needed, in particular to ensure working age families receive the support needed.  A revised set of recommendations was therefore presented to the meeting setting out an intermediate approach and proposing a report back on the analysis of need, specifically in Sheffield.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(a) approves a continuation of the £15 rate per eligible household for free school meals for the May half-term holidays and notes the financial implications;

(b) requests a follow-up report be provided to a future meeting of the committee to set out in more detail the current and predicted future level of need across different cohorts of vulnerable people in the city (including families with children, disabled people, unpaid carers, and older people);

(c) notes a revised and updated Equality Impact Assessment to be brought as part of the follow-up report to help inform decision making;

(d) notes the future proposal will be based on the aforementioned information and will set out how any further targeted awards will meet the needs of the City in line with the grant terms;

(e) approves a review of the eligibility criteria for the ‘application-element’ of the programme of support made available through the Household Support Fund; and

(f) notes there will be a further report to this Committee that seeks approval for a spending plan for the ‘application-element’ of the Household Support Fund allocated for 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 once details of eligibility criteria and cohorts that will be targeted for this part of the award have been prepared.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The recommendations presented to the Strategy and Resources Committee will enable Sheffield City Council to provide the funds to support vulnerable households in the city to meet immediate needs and help those who are struggling to afford food, energy and water bills, and other related essentials through the cost-of-living crisis.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

The proposal will be the best way of delivering the Household Support Fund.

11.1

The Executive Director, Operational Services presented a report seeking to update Strategy and Resources Committee on the latest allocation of funding received from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) known as the Household Support Fund (HSF) and seeks approval to accept and spend the Household Support Fund from DWP in line with a spending plan.

It was reported that the recommendations in the report were an initial attempt to meet DWP guidance/advice but that following feedback and on reflection a different approach is needed, in particular to ensure working age families receive the support needed.  A revised set of recommendations was therefore presented to the meeting setting out an intermediate approach and proposing a report back on the analysis of need, specifically in Sheffield.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(a) approves a continuation of the £15 rate per eligible household for free school meals for the May half-term holidays and notes the financial implications;

(b) requests a follow-up report be provided to a future meeting of the committee to set out in more detail the current and predicted future level of need across different cohorts of vulnerable people in the city (including families with children, disabled people, unpaid carers, and older people);

(c) notes a revised and updated Equality Impact Assessment to be brought as part of the follow-up report to help inform decision making;

(d) notes the future proposal will be based on the aforementioned information and will set out how any further targeted awards will meet the needs of the City in line with the grant terms;

(e) approves a review of the eligibility criteria for the ‘application-element’ of the programme of support made available through the Household Support Fund; and

(f) notes there will be a further report to this Committee that seeks approval for a spending plan for the ‘application-element’ of the Household Support Fund allocated for 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 once details of eligibility criteria and cohorts that will be targeted for this part of the award have been prepared.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The recommendations presented to the Strategy and Resources Committee will enable Sheffield City Council to provide the funds to support vulnerable households in the city to meet immediate needs and help those who are struggling to afford food, energy and water bills, and other related essentials through the cost-of-living crisis.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

The proposal will be the best way of delivering the Household Support Fund.