Issue - meetings

The Welfare and Financial Advice Team Update was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing.

The total amount of Household Support Fund funding for SKDC (2025-26) was £458,452, equating to 14% of the funding distribution across Lincolnshire.

The delivery plan as of 31 December 2025 was detailed within the report, outlining funding for the following organisations:

-       Lincolnshire Community Foundation (LCF)

-       SKDC Administration and Preventative Measures

-       Third-party Referrers

-       Outreach Work/ Pensioners

-       HSF7 Vouchers – LCF

-       SKDC HSF7 Vouchers – Welfare & Financial Advice Team.

Open applications closed on the 28 February 2026 to enable processing of the 220 outstanding applications before 31 March 2026. The expected amount to be awarded was £37,000. Applications awaiting vouchers to be issued were 80 with an expected value of £12,000. 

Applications continued to be received from third party trusted partners and teams within the council up to 31 March 2026. Assistance was predominantly provided by supermarket vouchers and Energy Vouchers.

From 1 April 2025 to 31 December 2025, the team received and processed 1,608 referrals.  The total value of financial support identified and awarded was £101,075.

The action plan for additional activities to be undertaken by the Welfare and

Financial Advice Team during 2025/26 was detailed in Appendix One of the report.

During discussions, the following comments were made:

-       A Member expressed concern that the scheme was reactive, especially considering Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) had only recorded issuing food vouchers.

-       It was confirmed that the definition of resilience used by the Welfare and Financial Advice Team was the provision of ongoing lifestyle support.

-       The Team also used Fusion21 given it was a national campaign ran by professions. A Member noted concerns about the ethical practices of the provider. It was confirmed that the provider was on the national commercial services register and there had been no concerns in the service delivery.

-       It was noted that the Team were considering a scheme to support residents requiring heating oil during the current market turbulence. Members expressed sympathy for residents effected and the suggestion was made for a co-operative purchasing to be orchestrated by Parish Councils.

The Welfare and Financial Advice Team Update – review of activities 1 October to 31 December 2025 was noted by the committee.