Rob Brown

Household Support Fund 2024/2025

From: Executive - Monday 28th October, 2024 12.30 pm - October 28, 2024

The report sought approval of the Household Support Fund Scheme (HSF) for the second half of 2024/25 and sought delegated authority be provided to the Director of Finance to make any modifications or minor revisions to the scheme and make decisions in respect of any remaining funds to ensure they are distributed in line with the guidance and within the defined timescales. Any revisions or modifications would be made in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Governance.  

Recommendations Approved

Adult Social Care Residential Charging Policy

From: Executive - Wednesday 2nd October, 2024 12.30 pm - October 02, 2024

Deleted

Vulnerability Policy

From: Executive - Wednesday 4th September, 2024 12.30 pm - September 04, 2024

The Executive Member for Finance and Governance submitted a report for Executive’s consideration, the purpose of which was to address inconsistencies, updates and presentational issues that required minor amendments to the current policy. The Council recognised that some residents may be regarded as vulnerable for a variety of reasons and required support to repay any debts owed. There was no strict definition of ‘vulnerable’, although the policy did provide some information around a number of scenarios where this may have applied. The list was not exhaustive, and it would be for officers to determine if someone was presenting as vulnerable. Once a resident had been identified as vulnerable, and thus requiring support, that an alternative approach to debt recovery should be considered. The three-year review provided the opportunity to refresh the policy and make the necessary amends. During the operational period of the policy, the Council had implemented the Welfare Strategy which brought together a number of services to provide a wide range of support for residents. This provided further assistance to the most vulnerable and would not only maximise income through the identification of any unclaimed benefit entitlement, but also provided wider opportunity to reduce debts through any free advice or available grant funded opportunities (such as discretionary housing payments or household support funding). Through early intervention, alternative options for repayment of debt could be discussed and agreed and this may have extended to working with a third party or liaising with a relative as and when required. The minor amendments to the policy as outlined in paragraph two would ensure that the current process for recovery remained transparent and consistent. This policy would continue with the principle that residents should only be required to pay what they can afford, whilst ensuring the debt is repaid in the long term.

Recommendations Approved