Issue - decisions

·         To accept the funding allocation from Lincolnshire County Council as part of the Department for Work and Pension’s Household Support Fund 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 to deliver the scheme at a local level. This is an indicative total of £327,465 for Boston.

·         To give delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Communities & Housing Services in consultation relevant Portfolio Holders to implement the policy in respect of administration and local distribution of the funding.

·         To utilise local allocation to meet local need and support vulnerable households in-line with the Household Support Fund grant conditions:

o   40% allocated via grant donation to Lincolnshire Community Foundation to administer public facing application-based scheme to provide crisis support to vulnerable households in most need of help with the cost of essentials

o   10% allocated to internal teams including South & East Lincolnshire’s Home Energy Advice & Retrofit Team (HEART), Wellbeing Lincs, Good Homes Hub and Housing Advice & Homeless to support residents in most need

o   20% allocated to ‘prevention’ support including budgeting advice, energy efficiency measures, digital inclusion and community food projects

o   20% allocated to external partners including local food banks, charities, community support groups and NHS teams to support clients, patients and residents in most need

o   10% to retained support administration and staff costs incurred by South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to deliver the local scheme