Decision details

Household Support Fund 7 01/04/2025 - 31/03/2026

Decision Maker: Chief Finance Officer (S151)

Decision status: Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The council's Household Support Fund (HSF) allocation for the period 1st of April 2025 to 31st of March 2026 is £1.705M. This Department for Work and Pensions grant is to be used to help households in Bath and North East Somerset with living costs and to provide preventative support.
The grant will fund the continuation of Free School Meal vouchers for school holiday periods up to the February 2026 half term holiday, grants to partner organisations to disburse to residents and to provide preventative support, and small grants to be paid direct to residents in financial crisis, to assist with the acquisition of essential items and payment of bills and living costs.
All funding must be disbursed by the 31st of March 2026

Decision:

Approval of £1.705M HSF allocation as proposed.

Alternative options considered:

Officers have carefully considered the DWP HSF Guidance and have matched the proposed allocations to meet the underlying principles of the guidance whilst making the best use of existing resources, infrastructure and partnership working.

Publication date: 03/04/2025

Date of decision: 02/04/2025

Accompanying Documents: