Decision

1) To accept the funding allocation from
Lincolnshire County Council as part of the Department for Work and
Pension’s Household Support Fund 1 April 2024 – 30
September 2024 to deliver the scheme at a local level. This is an
indicative total of £185,799 for Boston.

2) To give delegated authority to the Assistant Director (Wellbeing
& Community Leadership) in consultation relevant Portfolio
Holders to implement the policy in respect of administration and
local distribution of the funding.

3) To utilise local allocation to meet local need and support
vulnerable households in-line with the Household Support Fund grant
conditions.

Reasons for the decision

1) Accepting access to this local allocation
of Government funding will ensure the Council can support residents
in most need, with household essentials.

2) Previous HSF rounds have been successfully delivered by this
model. Relationships with delivery partners and mechanisms are now
well established with learning taken from previous funding
rounds.

3) Working with third sector organisations with reputable record of
delivering grants and emergency support to residents in need
ensures as vulnerable households as possible are identified,
engaged and supported.

Alternative options considered

1) Do nothing and decline the grant. The grant
is paid in arrears and there is no requirement to draw down the
funding. To not utilise the funding would be detrimental to
households at a time when many continue to experience financial
pressures and is not considered an option.

1) To administer the application-based scheme in-house. Due to
limited capacity and timescales this is not recommended. S&ELCP
have an established relationship with Lincolnshire Community
Foundation to deliver local grants. They are a reputable
Lincolnshire based grant-maker with the network and experience to
efficiently deliver public-facing schemes.