Purpose

To seek approval in relation to
the proposed spend of the Household Support Fund (HSF) for the
period 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.
 
On 2 September 2024 the Work
and Pensions secretary announced that the Household Support Fund
(HSF) would be extended for a further six months, from 1 October
2024 to 31 March 2025, with a further £421m of funding. As
has been done for previous schemes, the fund will be made available
to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support
vulnerable households in most need.
 
The plans for HSF6 are outlined
below and do not significantly differ from previous HSF awards.
Once agreed the plan will be entered into the DWP delivery plan
template and require signing by both s151 Officer and Cabinet
Member.
 

Decision

Decision(s):
 

(1)

the contents of the report be noted;
 

(2)

the proposed expenditure allocations as per
paragraph 1.5 of this report which will be fully funded by
£2,435,111 grant from the Household Support Fund (HSF) for
the period 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025 be approved; and
 

(3)

the Assistant Director - Communities be
authorised to distribute the Household Support Fund allocated to
Sefton by the UK Government in line with the plan.

 
Reason(s) for the
Decision(s):
 
The external revenue funds need to be
allocated to various projects that support households in need in
Sefton in line with the criteria set out by the UK Government.
 
Alternative Options
Considered and Rejected:
 
None