Decision details

Household Support Fund

Decision Maker: Director of Resources

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The report outlines proposed indicative spend of a further extension to the government’s the Household Support Fund (£3,049,345.09), which is available to support those most in need with the cost of food, energy (heating, cooking, lighting), water bills (including sewerage) and other essentials.

Decision:

Resolved – That

 

(1)  the indicative local allocation of the Household Support Fund as outlined below be agreed:

 

Initial suggested allocations

Wirral Household Support Fund - small grants programme

600,000

Wirral Family Cook Off project

200,000

Early Years food & essentials hampers (school holidays)

130,000

School Emergency Food Pantries

520,000

Wirral Emergency Financial Support with Welfare Needs Scheme

400,600

Financial support with fuel (Fuelbank Foundation)

150,000

Financial support with fuel (direct debit customers)

200,000

Financial support with energy (fuel) and water bills debt

300,000

Crisis support with emergency heating (Energy Projects Plus)

23,000

Crisis support with white goods (North Birkenhead Development Trust/St Vincent de Paul Society)

51,000

Emergency temporary heating and winter warm packs (Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service)

20,000

Housing Support Costs

100,000

HAF

200,000

Admin 5%

153,468

Totals

3,047,068

 

 

(2)  a progress report on the outcomes achieved be provided to the relevant Committee following conclusion of the series of Grants.

Reasons for the decision:

The Grant will help the Council continue its intensive work, in partnership with local agencies, groups and organisations, to support those most vulnerable throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Alternative options considered:

The option to reject the Grant extension has been discounted, as this would mean that funding available to the Council is not utilised to support vulnerable households.

 

Different financial allocations to the various projects would not have reflected actual capacity to deliver.

 

Publication date: 28/06/2022

Date of decision: 28/06/2022

Effective from: 02/07/2022

Accompanying Documents: