Issue details

COVID19 Winter Grant Scheme, Household Support Fund

Due to the ongoing public health emergency the County Council has received a number of support packages from Central Government.  As funds are received the Council needs to determine arrangements to distribute, allocate or make other preparations for the appropriate use of funds received.

 

The government announced on 6 October 2021 that a new Household Support Fund (HSF) grant of £500m would be made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need this winter.  The County Council’s share of the grant amounts to £4,870,362.11 which covers the period from 06 October 2021 until the 31 March 2022 inclusive.

 

At least fifty percent of the total funding must be spent on families with children. In terms of the type of support, the expectation is that the Household Support Fund should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills. It can also be used to support households with essential costs related to those items and with wider essential costs. In exceptional cases of genuine emergency, it can additionally be used to support housing costs where existing housing support schemes do not meet this exceptional need. This report explains how the funds will be administered.

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 15/02/2021

Decision due: 7 December 2020 by Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue (Cllr Duncan Crow)

Lead member: Councillor Duncan Crow duncan.crow@westsussex.gov.uk

Lead director: Emily King

Contact: Emily King, Assistant Director (Communities) Email: emily.king@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 23876.

Consultation process

Representations can be made to the officer contact

Democratic Services Contact: Erica Keegan Tel: 033 022 26050

Decisions