Decision type: Key

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 28/10/2021

Reason for urgency:
The Household Support Grant is to be spent between October-March, however, the Council was not made aware of the provisions of the grant and allocation until 7 October. The DWP has already issued public comms stating this grant is available and that residents should contact their Local Authority to find out how to access it. We therefore need to make funding available as soon as possible. Additionally, any unspent funds by March must be returned to DWP. Waiting for the next available Cabinet agenda would mean we are two months into the delivery timeframe before starting to spend the money. This will seriously impact our ability to spend the funding by March.

The grant is for food and energy bills and between the removal of the £20 Universal Credit uplift and the steep increase in fuel bills it is imperative that we are able to provide funds to residents in need of this support before the coldest weather starts.

Open/Exempt: Open;

Decision due: Not before 5th Nov 21 by Mayor's Executive Decision Making

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion – (Job Share post as part of Social Inclusion and Public Realm portfolio)

Lead director: Corporate Director, Place

Department: Place

Contact: Vicky Clark, (Director of Integrated Growth and Development) Email: vicky.clark@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Consultation process

Consultees

Has an Equality Analysis been carried out and if so the result of this Assessment?: N/A