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The report of the
Director of Finance and Transformation presented a draft Tonbridge
& Malling Borough Council Household Support Fund Scheme April
– September 2024 (Annex 1) and sought Members’ approval
of the Borough Council’s approach in use of the current grant
of the Household Support Fund for the borough.
 
Following the
agreement made in April for the Borough Council to accept a grant
from the Fund of £139,263 and to use it in accordance with
Government guidance, a Household Support Fund Scheme had been
drafted to set out the proposed use of the fund, with an objective
to provide crisis support for households.  The strategy for direction of funding was based on
successful outcomes of previous awards, statistical returns and
experience. 
 
Particular
reference was made to the deadline for the grant to be used by 30
September 2024 as unspent grant could not be carried
forward.  It was expected that a minimum
of 50% funding would be allocated to foodbanks and fuel voucher
schemes under the proposed Scheme, which also allowed for a
mechanism to adapt the direction of funds in response to changing
or emerging priorities throughout the lifespan.
 
Furthermore,
Members were assured that engagements would be made with foodbanks
across the borough to ensure coverage of the Scheme and support for
those who were most in need.
 

RESOLVED:  That
 
(1)         
the Household Support Fund Scheme April 2024 – September
2024, attached at Annex 1, be approved;

 
(2)         
authority for the Director of Finance & Transformation to
establish an effective operational scheme to disburse funds in
accordance with that document, be granted; and
 
(3)         
significant variance in direction of spend in response to any
emerging events or needs over the lifetime of the Scheme and in
line with the general parameters of the Household Support Fund, be
allowed, subject to agreement of the Leader, the Cabinet Member for
Finance & Housing, the Chief Executive and the Director of
Finance & Transformation.