Content

11.1

The report seeks to update Strategy and
Resources Committee on the latest allocation of funding received
from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) known as the
Household Support Fund (HSF) and seeks approval to accept and spend
the Household Support Fund from DWP in line with a spending
plan.
 
It was reported that the recommendations in
the report were an initial attempt to meet DWP guidance/advice but
that following feedback and on reflection a different approach is
needed, in particular to ensure working age families receive the
support needed.  A revised set of
recommendations was therefore presented to the meeting setting out
an intermediate approach and proposing a report back on the
analysis of need, specifically in Sheffield.

 

 

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That
Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-
 
(a) approves a continuation of the £15
rate per eligible household for free school meals for the May
half-term holidays and notes the financial implications;
 
(b) requests a follow-up report be provided to
a future meeting of the committee to set out in more detail the
current and predicted future level of need across different cohorts
of vulnerable people in the city (including families with children,
disabled people, unpaid carers, and older people);
 
(c) notes a revised and updated Equality
Impact Assessment to be brought as part of the follow-up report to
help inform decision making;
 
(d) notes the future proposal will be based on
the aforementioned information and will set out how any further
targeted awards will meet the needs of the City in line with the
grant terms;
 
(e) approves a review of the eligibility
criteria for the ‘application-element’ of the programme
of support made available through the Household Support Fund;
and
 
(f) notes there will be a further report to
this Committee that seeks approval for a spending plan for the
‘application-element’ of the Household Support Fund
allocated for 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 once details of
eligibility criteria and cohorts that will be targeted for this
part of the award have been prepared.

 

 

11.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

11.3.1

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.

 

 

11.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

11.4.1

The proposal will be the best way of
delivering the Household Support Fund.