Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 12, 2024

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council - Record of Decision   I Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby approve:   ·                The introduction of a local Winter Fuel Support Scheme for winter 2024/25, to support pensioners in receipt of Council Tax Reduction (under the Salford Pensionable scheme), but not currently eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, and as set out in the report.    ·                The scheme will be funded from the Council’s Cost of Living investment fund, established in August 2023, and linked to wider support available through the Household Support Fund, Salford Assist, and WRDA.   ·                The scheme will currently be time-limited to provide support with fuel and energy costs for winter 2024/25, and to mitigate the impact of new national benefit arrangements.   The Reasons are:   Government have recently confirmed extension of the Household Support Fund for a further 12 months up to March 2026.  This provides greater assurance to the Council to invest funds currently unspent from the existing HSF allocations, the cost of living fund created in August 2023 and core investment in Salford Assist and other welfare support.   In the week’s leading up to the Budget, Government also confirmed changes to the rules for eligibility to Winter Fuel Payment benefit, affecting people over the age of 66. As a result of this change and the confirmed extension of HSF, options were developed for a local support scheme to support pensioners in the city with the cost of fuel and energy over the winter and to mitigate the impact of moving to the new WFP arrangements.   The core scheme proposed and eligibility is:   ·         Households where the person(s) liable for council tax is in receipt of Council Tax Reduction under the Salford PENSIONABLE scheme on the date of application application;   ·         Living in Salford and liable for council tax on the date of the application;   ·         Where Pension Credit is not recorded as in payment on the claim;   ·         One payment of £200 will be made per eligible household.   The total cost of this scheme is estimated to be not more than £591,000, subject to take up.   A small administrative fee may be incurred subject to use of the Government supplied bank account checker.   Options considered and rejected were:   The primary focus is to ensure timely support to pensioners in the city with the cost of fuel and energy going into winter 2024.  Key considerations were for any scheme to be simple, easy for residents to understand and access, easy to administer, and supported by a wider and long term campaign to encourage applications for pension credit.    Assessment of Risk:  Low.   The source of funding is:  Cost of Living investment fund.   Legal Advice obtained: not applicable   Financial Advice obtained:  Michelle Cowley, Finance Manager   This scheme will be funded from the previous year’s underspend in the Cost of Living investment fund. This was carried forward at a value of £800,000.   The scheme is to be agreed as a one off and any longer term commitment would need to be considered in light of the Government’s confirmed extension of HSF for a further 12 months.   Any long term policy and financial commitment would need to be considered in light of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.   Procurement Advice obtained: Anthony Hilton, Head of Strategic Procurement   There are no procurement implications as a result of this report.  Expenditure under £10k requires only one quotation, and the costs of the ‘bank account’ checker fall within this guideline.   HR Advice obtained:  not applicable   Climate Change Advice obtained: not applicable   The following documents have been used to assist the decision process:   Report to Cabinet, 8 October 2024, Household Support Fund 2024/25   Contact Officer:        Jacquie Russell, Director Policy and Performance                    Telephone number: 0161 793 3577   (Please delete from the list below any which are not relevant.)   -       The appropriate scrutiny to call-in the decision is the Health and Adults Scrutiny Panel     Signed:      Councillor Tracy Kelly           Dated:   12.11.24                                      .                         Statutory Deputy City Mayor   For Democratic Services use only   This decision was published on 12.11.24                                             This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 19.11.24                                                   unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.