Purpose

An overview of support provided between April to September and outline of plans for October to March

Decision

To help mitigate cost of living pressures and provide support to residents, the Council have continued to develop and deliver a range of initiatives to support residents; and have continued to provide support to residents who were most in need through the Helping Hand service. The Council had received confirmation of the sixth tranche of Household Support Fund grant from the Department for Work and Pensions. This new allocation would cover the period from October to March 2025, and would be used to continue to provide essential support to residents across Buckinghamshire, ensuring that this was in line with the Government guidance.

RESOLVED –

(1)               That the range of support provided by the Council for individuals experiencing hardship across the county be NOTED.

(2)               That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Communities to approve the arrangements for deploying the new Household Support Fund allocation from the Department for Work and Pensions, which has been extended to cover the period October 24 to March 25, once the Government guidance has been shared.