Decision details

(Report of Director of Finance and Transformation)

Approval was sought for the Borough Council’s proposed approach in respect of the current grant of Household Support Fund for the Borough.   The draft Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Household Support Scheme July 2023 – March 2024 (attached at Annex 1) set out the proposed use of the fund, which was to provide crisis support for households.  The strategy for direction of funding was based on successful outcomes of previous awards, statistical returns, feedback from a recent welfare support workshop and anecdotal experience.

The proposed use of the grant funding was detailed in 1.3 of the report and it was noted that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council had been allocated funding of £278,562 to be used in accordance with Government guidance by 31 March 2024.  Unspent grant could not be rolled over into April beyond honouring any expenditure committed to before the end of March.

Careful consideration was given to the legal, financial and value for money implications and Cabinet supported the proposed use of the grant funding to support households, charitable organisations and the local community.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the Household Support Fund Scheme July 2023 – March 2024, as set out at Annex 1, be approved;

(2)             delegated authority be granted to the Director of Finance and Transformation to establish an effective operational scheme to disburse funds in accordance with the Household Support Fund Scheme July 2023 – March 2024; and

(3)             significant variance in direction of spend in response to any emerging events or needs over the lifetime of the Scheme be allowed for by agreement of the Leader, Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Transformation, in line with the general parameters of the Household Support Fund.