URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6843

Decision Maker: Executive Director Resources (James Duncan)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: In September 2024, the Government confirmed that Household Support Fund would continue to March 2025. On 14th October 2024, a delegated authority confirmed allocations from the Fund including an initial allocation of £0.100m to Knowsley Foodbank. This allocation of £0.050m per month is consistent with previous years.   The delegated report referred to above included “It is proposed that further allocations for future months are kept under regular review in consultation with colleagues from the Knowsley Foodbank.” This has been the case. Council officers have received evidence from the Foodbank that the allocation for October has been spent appropriately. This is in addition to further governance changes within the Foodbank that has provided additional reassurance to the Council.   It is therefore proposed to allocate a further £0.200m (£0.050m for December 2024 to March 2025) to the Foodbank for the provision of food and essentials in line with the allocation agreed in the October 10th Delegated Decision. This will be kept under review with payments made on a month by month basis in order to effectively protect the public purse.   Following a review of the October 2024 – March 2025 Household Support Fund programme, there are sufficient resources available to fund the proposed allocation.

Content: In September 2024, the Government confirmed that Household Support Fund would continue to March 2025. On 14th October 2024, a delegated authority confirmed allocations from the Fund including an initial allocation of £0.100m to Knowsley Foodbank. This allocation of £0.050m per month is consistent with previous years.   The delegated report referred to above included “It is proposed that further allocations for future months are kept under regular review in consultation with colleagues from the Knowsley Foodbank.” This has been the case. Council officers have received evidence from the Foodbank that the allocation for October has been spent appropriately. This is in addition to further governance changes within the Foodbank that has provided additional reassurance to the Council.   It is therefore proposed to allocate a further £0.200m (£0.050m for December 2024 to March 2025) to the Foodbank for the provision of food and essentials in line with the allocation agreed in the October 10th Delegated Decision. This will be kept under review with payments made on a month by month basis in order to effectively protect the public purse.   Following a review of the October 2024 – March 2025 Household Support Fund programme, there are sufficient resources available to fund the proposed allocation. That the Council confirms an additional allocation of Household Support Fund of £0.200m to the Knowsley Foodbank for the provision of food and essentials for the period December 2024 to March 2025. The Council not providing further support to the Foodbank was considered. It was rejected as they had provided evidence of the impact of their work in supporting the community as well as evidence that they had spent their current allocation in line with the grant agreement. As such, and consistent with the October delegated decision, continuation funding is proposed.

Date of Decision: December 4, 2024