URL: https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2365

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member - Children's Safeguarding

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding to:   Receive the Extended 2024/25 HSF Funding (amounting to £3,692,483.14) that is being provided by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for allocation in the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025.  Agree the distribution of this funding in line with the grant conditions, operational funding model and distribution processes, and the specific recommendations outlined below.  

Content: The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding to:   Receive the Extended 2024/25 HSF Funding (amounting to £3,692,483.14) that is being provided by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for allocation in the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025.  Agree the distribution of this funding in line with the grant conditions, operational funding model and distribution processes, and the specific recommendations outlined below.   In coming to this decision I have given due and full regard to the requirements of the public sector equality duty contained in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”) by reference to the law itself and also the relevant Equality Impact Assessment, which was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Act. Having fully considered all the available information, I have decided to reject the alternative options and take the recommended decision to:   1. Approve the allocation of the Extended 2024/25 HSF Funding (amounting to £3,692,482) as follows:   (a)  £221,548 to the recruitment and remuneration of council staff to provide administration and sustainability supports in relation to the distribution of such funding to qualifying households during the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025 as well as meet other necessary administration costs.   (b) £811,828 to the six District Councils in Gloucestershire to be apportioned between them for the purpose of them each providing their own localised schemes to target the needs of the most vulnerable during the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025 (whilst complying with the grant conditions set by the DWP for delivery of the Extended 2024/25 HSF Funding i.e., to provide support with food, energy and water bills, household items & other essential items).   (c) £150,000 to be allocated to the council’s Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) team to fund, during the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025, administration costs incurred in providing food for vulnerable children and young people who would not otherwise be eligible under the criteria set under the national HAF programme as described in the Holiday Activities and Food Officer Decision paper dated [Date of Decision 12/02/2024]    (d) £250,000 to be allocated to the charity known as Severn Wye Energy Agency for the provision of energy related support including provision for the Warm and Well Scheme to Gloucestershire residents to attend to winter hardship and those in need following a referral by Gloucestershire County Council’s (GCC’s) HSF team and/or any of the District Councils during the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025.    (e) £250,000 to be allocated to the charity known as Age UK Gloucestershire for the provision of food, energy and advice related support attending to winter hardship during the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025.   (f) £13,132 to be allocated to Family Action for the provision of community-based support to develop a community café and clothing swap shop to support families   (g) £73,315 to be allocated to Aspire Foundation for the provision of community-based support to develop a community café, clothing swap shop and winter household essentials to support families    (h) £60,000 to be allocated to part-funding the council’s contract with BeebotAI for the supply of an Intelligent Automation Solution for Family Hubs that was procured in accordance with Executive Directors decision dated [Date of Decision 22/10/2024] The balance of the contract value will be funded via existing internal budgets and grant funding from the HAF programme.   (i) £779,152 to be allocated to funding the supply and/or distribution of food vouchers, fuel vouchers, white goods, and household emergency support during the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025 under the call-off contract for which delegated authority is sought under Recommendation 2 below.    (j) £1,083,505 to be allocated to provide food vouchers to those eligible for free school meals during the school holidays under the call-off contract for which delegated authority is sought under Recommendation 2 below.     2. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding to award a call-off contract, under the council’s Welfare Support Services Framework Agreement, to the sole appointed provider thereunder, namely Auriga Services Limited, for the supply and/or distribution of the following food vouchers, fuel vouchers, white goods and household emergency support during the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025:    a) £779,152 in fuel vouchers, food vouchers, white goods, and household emergency support in response to applications received from residents of Gloucestershire for such vouchers, white goods, and emergency support; and   b) £1,083,505 in food vouchers to children and young people who are eligible to receive free school meals, in order to provide holiday food support during school holidays and provide directly targeted support to low-income households. For the reasons set out in the repor

Date of Decision: December 23, 2024