Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities.

1.    To allocate the grant amount of £320,000 as per the details within the report.

2.    To use the specific criteria set out in the government guidance published to allocate and administer the grant.

3.    To allow any adjustments to the proposed funding allocation to be agreed subsequently via delegated responsibility to the Executive Member of Resources.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources) presented the report of the Director of Communities which seeks agreement for how the district element of the government’s Household Support Fund Phase 3 (HSF3), allocated to Chorley Council by Lancashire County Council, should be allocated to enable it to be issued to those recipients most in need through to 31 March 2023.

In August, the government announced an extension to the Household Support Fund with a fund of £500million made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need due to rising cost of living until March 2023. Upper tier authorities are required to work with districts and Third Parties Organisations (TPO), including the VCSE sector to ensure the funds reach those in most need.

Lancashire has been awarded £9,678,235.22 of which Chorley Council have been allocated £320,000. Local provision will focus on working in partnership with community organisations and develop a delivery plan that responds to current issues but also encourages those who are in difficulty to access wider and more impactful support. Members noted the proposed breakdown and allocation of the funding across the recommended categories and delivery partners.

Members recognised that this funding must be spent by 31 March 2023 and requested that an update by provided once reported by LCC.

Decision:

1.    To allocate the grant amount of £320,000 as per the details within this report.

2.    To use the specific criteria set out in the government guidance published to allocate and administer the grant.

3.    To allow any adjustments to the proposed funding allocation to be agreed subsequently via delegated responsibility to the Executive Member for Resources.

Reasons for recommendations:

To ensure the funding is allocated to residents who are facing financial pressures throughout winter months until 31 March 2023.

Other options considered and rejected:

1.    To not allocate the grant funding would mean that those residents that need the support would not receive it.

2.    To aim to deliver this funding in isolation of the voluntary sector and other partners would not maximise the support that residents are able to access from this sector.