Purpose

The purpose of the report is to provide an
outline of the proposed spending for the DWP Household Support Fund
April 2025 – March 2026 and seek approval

Content

The Cabinet considered
a report of the Director of Public Health and Communities, which
sought approval to accept and spend the Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund grant April 2025 –
March 2026.
 
The Public Health
Development Manager was in attendance to
present the information and to address the questions and the
comments of the Cabinet Members.
 
The Officer informed
that, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council had
overseen substantial expenditure to support communities in greatest
need. This had come mainly from Government funding through the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Most recently, this
funding had been through the DWP’s Household Support Fund
(HSF).
 
On 30 October 2024,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer had announced that the Household
Support Fund (HSF) would be extended for
a further twelve months, from 1st April 2025 to 31st March
2026.
 
On 4th March 2025, the
Head of the Local Authority Partnership from the Department for
Work and Pensions (DWP) had informed the Council of the final
details of the HSF programme, including the amount for the borough
and the guidance.
 
Rochdale Borough had
received £4,119,569.63 to be spent
between April 2025 and March 2026. This was a reduction of
£555,198 from what Rochdale Council would usually receive,
I.E.: £4,674,768 every 12 months.
 
The funding
could be used to support households, who
would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills,
or meet other essential living or housing costs. The fund
could also be used to provide
supplementary signposting advice and support.
 
The Officer continued
informing that consultation had recently taken place with key
partners and portfolio holders for Communities and Cooperation,
Children’s Services and Corporate and Finance. A package of
support had been recommended, building
on previous funding allocations and targeted to reach people in
greatest need. Six programmes had been proposed: 1) Targeted
support for low-income families through the provision of food
e-vouchers during school holidays, 2) Local Household Fund, 3) Warm
Homes, 4)Support for the borough’s food network, digital
assistance and essential items, 5)Prevention work in the food
network and other key community venues and 6) Christmas Toy
Appeal.
 
Cabinet Members noted
the outline of the proposed spending for the DWP Household Support
Fund April 2025 – March 2026.
 
 
 
Resolved:
1.   
That the DWP Household Support Fund grant April 2025 – March
2026 be accepted;
2.   
That the six programmes for DWP Household Support Fund spending
April 2025 – March 2026, as outlined in the report be noted
and agreed;
3.   
That delegated authority be given to the Director of Public Health
and Communities in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder
to spend the funding in line with the six programmes outlined in
the report;
4.   
That delegated authority be given to the
Director of Public Health and Communities to move funding between
the different programmes of work to ensure effective spending and
delivery.
 
Reason for
decision:
Cabinet was required
to agree on how the HSF would be spent
as the Government was expecting local authorities to start
distributing HSF in April 2025.
 
Alternatives
considered and rejected:
Although the grant
funding, if accepted, could be spent on
alternative suitable projects, it was not considered that there
were any such alternatives available with the equivalent reach and
impact.