Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with a background regarding Household Support Fund, the formation of the Cost of Living Team and an update regarding the activity undertaken by the team, number of residents supported, value of support provided and an update regarding District, County and National activities.

The Head of service (Revenues, Benefits, Customer and Community) presented the report which outlined the first Cost of Living update report for 2023/24.

By way of background, in August 2022, the South Kesteven Cost of Living Strategic Working Group (COL SWG) was formed in response to increasing cost of living concerns and energy price increases.

As a result of the activities undertaken by the COL SWG, it was identified a business case could be put forward for a dedicated Cost of Living Co-Ordinator.

A successful bid was put forward to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on 26 January 2023 and following successful recruitment, the two Cost of Living Co-Ordinators commenced their roles from 5 June 2023.

Since 5 June 2023, the Cost of Living Team had been working to objectives set out within the action plan, which is included within Appendix Oneof the report.

One of the main responsibilities of the Cost of Living Team is to administer and distribute the Household Support Fund. The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first announced by Government in October 2021 and has continued through to 31 March 2024.The expectation was that it should primarily be used to support households in most need for help with food, energy, and water bills.

The table in paragraph 2.14 of the report confirmed the value of Household Support Funding for 2023/24 for South Kesteven of £177,342.

The table in paragraph 2.15 of the report pack provided a breakdown of how the funding had been distributed, either by the Council’s own Cost of Living Team or by the support organisations such as Lincolnshire Community Foundation and the Post Office.

Information in paragraphs 2.24 to 2.54 of the report provided more detail regarding the various schemes and how they are administered.

The Team also provide a vital advice service, which, following receipt of referrals the team were able to contact the resident to discuss their current circumstances and determine the best support available to them.  The team utilise the support of other external agencies and also the Tenancy Support team for SKDC tenants.

Between 24 August and 31 December 2023, 682 referrals had been received.

As well as providing advice, the team had also been able to identify £49k of additional financial wrap around support for 235 of these residents.

There had been no announcement so far that HSF will continue in 2024/25. Any HSF funding that had not been issued in 2023/24 i.e. vouchers not redeemed, could be issued during 2024/25, providing it is for the same cohort of residents.

Any such decision would need to be approved by Lincolnshire County Council, as the recipient and distributing authority of the HSF funding.

Once the residual funding amount was known, and a decision had been made, the Cost of Living Team would propose a scheme of support for 2024/25.

Finally, the Cost of Living Team was currently funded to 31 March 2025. The team’s activities, as detailed in Appendix One, would continue and a further update as to additional activities for 2024/25 will be provided to this Committee at its meeting in May 2024.

One Member queried the likeliness of the Council  receiving further funding to aid the District’s Household Support Fund.

The Head of service (Revenues, Benefits, Customer and Community) stated that South Kesteven District Council and several other local governments were lobbying for more funding, and any announcements of increased funding would be made in March 2024.

It was queried further whether Lincolnshire County Council’s opinion on the requests for greater funding was the same as the Council’s.

The Head of service (Revenues, Benefits, Customer and Community) stated that Lincolnshire County Council had previously agreed with South Kesteven District Council in similar circumstances. 

One Member requested a breakdown as to how the funding had been spent.

ACTION: For The Head of service (Revenues, Benefits, Customer and Community) to circulate figures on a breakdown as to how the funding had been spent.

The Cabinet Member for People and Communities thanked Officers and stated that the team had been brainstorming ways to make sure the funding is spent efficiently. 

The importance of having a platform for residents to easily ask for support was emphasised.

One Member queried if there was a way elected Members could better assist their constituents at a local level to ensure they are receiving the help they require from the vouchers.

Due to issues around GDPR, it was unknown as to whether information could be shared with Councillors. The Head of service (Revenues, Benefits, Customer and Community) would explore whether the details could be shared and provide the Committee with a response.

That the Committee:

1.    Notes the activities and levels of support being provided by the Cost of Living Team

2.    Asks questions in relation to the activities and provide feedback.