URL: https://democracy.ribblevalley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1253

Decision Maker: Policy and Finance

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report updating Committee on the Household Support Fund Round 7 (HSF7) and seeking approval for utilising the funding which would be passported from LCC.   The report noted that as part of HSF6, 295 households had been issued supermarket vouchers equating to £98,700.00.   In respect of HSF7, the report noted LCC had initially confirmed that £89,524.89 of their total allocation of £17,057,602.21 would be passported to RVBC. Since the report publication, confirmation of further funding from LCC had now been received and RVBC would receive a total allocation of £159,000.   Committee approval was sought to run a further round of applications based upon previously successful schemes, whereby households in the Borough who were struggling financially were able to apply for a food voucher. Members discussed the scheme in detail and proposed to change the eligibility to include applicants in receipt of cost-of-living payments and Universal Credit and change the gross annual income threshold to £35,000. Similarly to previous schemes, it was proposed that new applicants be prioritised, with recipients of HSF5 only becoming eligible for a voucher from 1 October 2025, and that recipients of HSF6 would be ineligible to apply for this round of funding. It was felt that these changes would target those most in need ensure that the limited funding reached a greater number of struggling households. It was noted at the meeting that if funding remained the application window could be re-opened later in the year, subject to Committee approval.   LCC had decided to fund affordable warmth from the HSF, which would need to be spent and committed by end of March 2026. LCC had confirmed that RVBCs Affordable Warmth allocation was £20,324. It was expected that the next round of funding would have the same eligibility criteria although confirmation was awaited.   RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:   1.    Approved the creation of an application process for the HSF7 funding as per paragraph 5.4 of the report subject to the following: 1.1  Only applicants with a gross household income not in excess of £35,000 will be eligible. 1.2  Applicants in receipt of cost-of-living payments and Universal Credit will be eligible. 1.3  Applications to remain open subject to sufficient funding noting the deadline date of 31st March 2026.   2.    Confirmed that households who received a voucher from the HSF5 funding round will only be eligible if there is funding remaining from 1st October 2025 and that households who received a voucher from the HSF6 funding round will not be eligible for this new HSF7 funding round.   3.    Noted the dates of the application process windows at paragraph 7.4 of the report.   4.    Approved the distribution of Ribble Valley Affordable Warmth Grant in accordance with previous grant scheme and the eligibility criteria contained within the grant agreement with LCC.  

Date of Decision: June 17, 2025