Content

9.1

The Executive Director Neighbourhood Services
submitted a report:
 
1. To update Strategy and Resources Committee
on the “Cost-of-Living Cohort Analysis” including
findings on cohorts most affected by the cost-of-living crisis and
financial inequalities, as requested by the Committee in April
2023;
 
2. To seek the Committee’s approval to
spend the Household Support Fund from DWP in line with the spending
plan detailed in this report and as guided by findings of the
Cohort Analysis;
 
3. To seek this Committee’s approval to
make changes to the application scheme as detailed in this
report;
 
4. To inform the committee of future
considerations and decisions that would need to be made should the
Household Support Fund grant be discontinued in March 2024; and
 
5. To seek approval for ringfencing
£700,000 that the Director of Communities will be able to use
to respond flexibly to the Cost-of-Living issues

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That
Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-
 

 

(a)  approves the
spending plan for Free School Meal Vouchers for 23/24 as detailed
in the report;
 
(b) approves the targeted award to households
who are in receipt of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support
but not benefits from DWP or HMRC and therefore not receiving Cost
of Living payments;
 
(c) approves the spending plan and changes to
the grant application scheme as detailed in the report;
 
(d) approves ringfencing of £700,000
from the Housing Support Fund that is to be used in the period July
2023 to March 2024 by the Director of Communities to respond
flexibly to Cost of Living issues and; to the extent not already
covered by existing delegations, delegate authority to the Director
of Communities in consultation with the Director of Finance and
Commercial Services and the General Counsel, to make decisions on
spending this money in order to meet the aims and objections in
this report; and
 
(e) notes the Household Support Fund runs ends
in March 2024 with no guarantee that it will be extended beyond
that point.

 

 

9.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

9.3.1

The recommendations presented to the Strategy
and Resources Committee will enable Sheffield City Council to
provide the funds to support vulnerable households in the city to
meet immediate needs and help those who are struggling to afford
food, energy and water bills, and other related essentials through
the cost-of-living crisis.

 

 

9.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

This report provides a detailed proposal and
delivery that officers, in consultation with elected members,
believe to be the best way of delivering the Household Support
Fund.