Issue - meetings

that the Council enters into a Service Level Agreement with Derbyshire County Council for the Household Support Fund.

Executive’s approval was sought for the Council to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Derbyshire County Council (DCC) in relation to funding arrangements for the Household Support Fund (HSF).

On 6^th October 2021, the Government announced that a new HSF grant would be made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England, to support vulnerable households most in need this winter.  The purpose of the grant was to buy food or pay essential utility bills, essential living costs and housing costs, as the economy recovered from the Covid pandemic. 

Following a successful bid to DCC, the Council had been awarded an amount of HSF grant money to support Bolsover residents to help with housing costs specifically.  Further to discussions, it had been agreed that DCC would administer a proportion of the grant funding to assist vulnerable households with food and utility bills. 

In order to receive the grant, a Service Level Agreement had been provided by DCC to be signed by the Council, which set out how the grant must be administered and the reporting information required.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that the Council enters into a Service Level Agreement with Derbyshire County Council for the Household Support Fund.

(Executive Director of Resources)

REASON FOR DECISION:

The grant was an opportunity to financially assist vulnerable households across the District to prevent homelessness and to sustain tenancies.

In order to receive this grant the Service Level Agreement needs to be signed. The Councils legal team have approved the agreement in its current form

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

Do nothing. This option is rejected, to refuse the Service Level Agreement would mean residents in the District could not benefit from the funding and may suffer financial hardship.