Issue - meetings
Household Support Fund
Meeting: 01/10/2024 - Cabinet (Item 9)
9 Household Support Fund: 2024/25 Allocation and Free School Meals 
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Minutes:
Background:
The report set out proposals to amend the use of the Household Support Fund (HSF) for the period 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025 to ensure grant funding was disbursed in full to Medway’s residents.In March, the Chancellor confirmed the HSF scheme would continue for the first six months of the 2024/25 financial year with the same national allocation as had been announced in respect of every six-month period to date.
On 2 September 2024, the Chancellor announced that the scheme would be continuing for the remainder of the 2024/25 financial year. At the time of preparing the report, the government had not published any further guidance, however the Department of Work and Pensions guidance had been published on 27 September 2024 and circulated as a late Appendix 2 to the report.
The Cabinet recorded their thanks to the Head of Benefits and Financial Welfare and team, who had also been recently recognised for their work in the staff internal awards.
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Decision number:
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Decision:
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120/2024 |
The Cabinet agreed the continuation of support for Free School Meals eligible pupils during the school holidays between 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025, and the continuation of the successful grant scheme (proposals set out at Appendix 1 to the report) as the Council’s approach to delivering the Household Support Fund in 2024/25. The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Business Management, to finalise and implement the proposals as set out in section 5 of the report. |
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121/2024 |
The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Business Management, to make minor amendments to the proposals set out as Appendix 1 to the report, to enable them to continue to support vulnerable households in Medway, including amending any discretionary eligibility criteria where discussions remain ongoing and where further Government advice is provided. |
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122/2024 |
The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Leader, to provide a delivery plan to the Department for Work and Pensions in accordance with the fund guidance. |
Reasons:
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is fully grant funded by the Department of Work and Pensions to support vulnerable households. The HSF scheme for 2024/25 has now been renewed until 31 March 2025. The decision to agree the proposals in this report means that residents would benefit from consistent support. Agreeing the delegation requested would allow officers and Members to ensure that the support is allocated efficiently and in accordance with government guidance.