Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval of the Council’s approach in use of the current grant of Household Support Fund for the Borough.

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation presented a draft Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Household Support Fund Scheme April – September 2024 (Annex 1) and sought Members’ approval of the Borough Council’s approach in use of the current grant of the Household Support Fund for the borough.

Following the agreement made in April for the Borough Council to accept a grant from the Fund of £139,263 and to use it in accordance with Government guidance, a Household Support Fund Scheme had been drafted to set out the proposed use of the fund, with an objective to provide crisis support for households.  The strategy for direction of funding was based on successful outcomes of previous awards, statistical returns and experience. 

Particular reference was made to the deadline for the grant to be used by 30 September 2024 as unspent grant could not be carried forward.  It was expected that a minimum of 50% funding would be allocated to foodbanks and fuel voucher schemes under the proposed Scheme, which also allowed for a mechanism to adapt the direction of funds in response to changing or emerging priorities throughout the lifespan.

Furthermore, Members were assured that engagements would be made with foodbanks across the borough to ensure coverage of the Scheme and support for those who were most in need.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Household Support Fund Scheme April 2024 – September 2024, attached at Annex 1, be approved;

(2)          authority for the Director of Finance & Transformation to establish an effective operational scheme to disburse funds in accordance with that document, be granted; and

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

(Decision Notice D240072CAB)

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation presented a draft Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Household Support Fund Scheme April – September 2024 (Annex 1) and sought Members’ approval of the Borough Council’s approach in use of the current grant of the Household Support Fund for the borough.

Following the agreement made in April for the Borough Council to accept a grant from the Fund of £139,263 and to use it in accordance with Government guidance, a Household Support Fund Scheme had been drafted to set out the proposed use of the fund, with an objective to provide crisis support for households.  The strategy for direction of funding was based on successful outcomes of previous awards, statistical returns and experience. 

Particular reference was made to the deadline for the grant to be used by 30 September 2024 as unspent grant could not be carried forward.  It was expected that a minimum of 50% funding would be allocated to foodbanks and fuel voucher schemes under the proposed Scheme, which also allowed for a mechanism to adapt the direction of funds in response to changing or emerging priorities throughout the lifespan.

Furthermore, Members were assured that engagements would be made with foodbanks across the borough to ensure coverage of the Scheme and support for those who were most in need.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Household Support Fund Scheme April 2024 – September 2024, attached at Annex 1, be approved;

(2)          authority for the Director of Finance & Transformation to establish an effective operational scheme to disburse funds in accordance with that document, be granted; and

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