Decision details

A report that sets out Council proposals to provide support for households in 2022/23 in accordance with funding and associated guidance issued by the Government.

RESOLVED –

1)    That it be noted that the Rebate Fund consists of two cohorts and that the work required to make payment to those paying by Direct Debit would commence immediately after 01 April 2022, taking into account the requirements of the scheme.

2)    That it be noted that those eligible under the Rebate Fund required to make an application should be given the choice to receive payment or credit to their Council Tax account as appropriate.

3)    That where no application has been made by 16th August 2022, the Council Tax account of the liable party should be credited with £150 as a backstop position, allowable within Government guidance.

4)    That the Council would seek to maximise the number of applications from those entitled by establishing a publicity and take up campaign that would target them specifically by whatever means were appropriate including working across services and with partner organisations.

5)    That the Council adopts the Discretionary Fund eligibility criteria as detailed in the report and that implementing and monitoring the Discretionary Fund based on the criteria, be delegated to the Strategic Director for Corporate Strategy, Commissioning & Public Health and the Service Director Finance.

6)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director for Corporate Strategy, Commissioning & Public Health and Service Director Finance, in consultation with the Corporate portfolio-holder, to vary the eligibility criteria for the Discretionary Fund and to make further changes to the scheme as required to achieve the objectives of the Fund within available means.

7)    That it be noted that the Government extended the Household Support Funding support to Councils for 2022/23, and the Council’s anticipated share was £3.702m.

8)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director for Corporate Strategy, Commissioning and Public Health and Service Director for Children’s Services, in consultation with the Corporate portfolio holder, Learning, Aspiration and Communities portfolio holder, and Service Director-Finance; to direct the Council’s newly announced 2022/23 Household Support Fund allocation to appropriate interventions within the range of anticipated eligibility criteria as detailed in the report, through the Local Welfare Provision scheme.