Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Housing and Community which outlined proposals for the distribution of Household Support Fund (HSF) in the Rother area. 

It was confirmed that the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed that this matter be taken under the special urgency provision rule (Constitution Access to Information Rule 15) as this was a key decision which had not been published on the Council’s Forward Plan and could not be reasonably deferred.

Members were advised that £421m had been made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need this winter during the final stages of economic recovery.  The funding covered the period 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 inclusive.  All monies not distributed during this period would be clawed-back by the Government.  Rother District Council (RDC) had discretion on how the funding would be used.  East Sussex County Council was intending to distribute approximately 50% of the grant to schools, in addition to directing grant awards to the voluntary and community sector within the County in consultation with RDC and relevant partners.  An East Sussex project group was formed and led by RDC with support from Wealden District Council to standardise the process for distributing the grant.  It was noted that 10-12% of the grant could be used to off-set administering costs.

Eligibility, criteria and the details of the scheme were currently being refined.  It was anticipated that grants would be awarded to those residents receiving welfare benefits.  Grants would cover household costs including utility costs and food vouchers, but not rental costs.  Existing on-line software would be used to distribute the grant and support would be supplied to applicants, if required.  The system would be monitored to ensure fraudulent applications were detected / avoided.

The HSF would enable those experiencing financial hardship to adequately heat their homes, promote improved health, wellbeing and resilience over the winter.  Once finalised, Members would be encouraged to promote the scheme within their wards.

RESOLVED: That the:

1)    purpose of the Household Fund from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities be noted; and

2)    approval of the final eligibility criteria and distribution process for the Household Fund be delegated to the Head of Housing and Community and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Performance Management to agree the detailed criteria for the distribution of the grant.

(The Leader had accepted this item onto the Agenda as an Additional Agenda Item in order to establish the process and distribute funding to those in need across the district before the March 2022 deadline).