This report seeks consideration of three proposals to provide targeted financial support to those facing the greatest impact from the cost-of-living crisis, namely financial support for food banks to increase provision of food for those in food poverty; a Warm Place grant scheme to enable community venues to offer a warm space for people who are in fuel poverty and struggling to heat their home and additional funding to top-up the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund for 2022/23.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve £30,000 to support food support organisations identified in 1.4 of the report; £30,000 to create a Warm Places grants fund, with the detail of the terms and conditions being delegated to the Director of Leisure and Communities and £30,000 to top-up existing allocation for the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund for 2022/23.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of three proposals to provide targeted financial support to those facing the greatest impact from the cost-of-living crisis, namely financial support for food banks to increase provision of food for those in food poverty; a Warm Place grant scheme to enable community venues to offer a warm space for people who were in fuel poverty and struggling to heat their home and additional funding to top-up the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund for 2022/23.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that these proposals supported the Council’s Enhancing Health and Wellbeing priority and would provide support for those residents in most need with food, places to keep warm and housing costs which would have a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves:-

(1)      £30,000 to support food support organisations identified in 1.4 of the report;

(2)      £30,000 to create a Warm Places grants fund, with the detail of the terms and conditions being delegated to the Director of Leisure and Communities; and

(3)      £30,000 to top-up existing allocation for the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund for 2022/23.