Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention & Communities.

That:

(a)           Interim governance of the Crisis and Resilience Fund programme be provided through the Communities and Prevention Delivery Board, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention and Communities and the Cabinet Member for Housing.

(b)           An annual report on Crisis and Resilience Fund spend and impact be presented to the People and Health Scrutiny Committee.

(c)           The proposals set out in Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report of 28 July 2026, for the allocation of Crisis and Resilience Fund funding to the resilience services and projects identified, be agreed.

Reason for the decision

To provide clear interim governance and decision-making for the Crisis and Resilience Fund through the Communities and Prevention Delivery Board, as part of the council’s senior leadership delivery arrangements.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention and Communities presented the report and its recommendations, noting that the item had also been considered by People & Health Overview Committee on 6 July 2026. The Crisis and Resilience Fund had replaced the Household Support Fund and the report set out the proposed approach in detail to strengthen and develop the Council’s longer-term resilience offer.

It was proposed by Cllr M Bell and seconded by Cllr S Clifford

Decision

That:

(a)           Interim governance of the Crisis and Resilience Fund programme be provided through the Communities and Prevention Delivery Board, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention and Communities and the Cabinet Member for Housing.

(b)           An annual report on Crisis and Resilience Fund spend and impact be presented to the People and Health Scrutiny Committee.

(c)           The proposals set out in Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report of 28 July 2026, for the allocation of Crisis and Resilience Fund funding to the resilience services and projects identified, be agreed.

Reason for the decision

To provide clear interim governance and decision-making for the Crisis and Resilience Fund through the Communities and Prevention Delivery Board, as part of the council’s senior leadership delivery arrangements.

To consider a report by the Business Partner – Communities and Partnerships.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention & Communities introduced the report. The Crisis and Resilience Fund had replaced the Household Support Fund. Support from the first day of this change had been agreed by Cabinet, however this report looked at the support in more detail going forward, to strengthen the council’s resilience offer.

The Committee discussed the report and raised the following points:

·         The £4.1 million allocation had clear guidance for the next 3 years, but was it able to cover inflationary or other external pressures? Officers responded that additional grants have been given from Government to respond to external pressures, and that as it was a single fund government could respond quicker.

·         How would the council measure whether use of the Crisis and Resilience Fund is reducing demand for it? Officers responded that all crises would be assessed, whereas under the Household Support Fund everyone was given a voucher. Once someone has received a crisis payment, they would get more tailored support.

·         A response and payment needed to be provided within 48 hours of being contacted and the council was meeting this requirement.

Committee members discussed how the committee could have more involvement in development of the Crisis and Resilience Fund policy.

During the discussion, Cllr Orrell declared that he was a trustee of the Lantern Trust and therefore did not take part in the discussion or vote.

Proposed by Cllr L Bown, seconded by Cllr J Atwal.

Decision:
To recommend to Cabinet that:

1.    Interim governance of the Crisis and Resilience Fund programme is provided through the Communities and Prevention Delivery Board, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention and Communities and the Cabinet Member for Housing. 

2.    An annual report on Crisis and Resilience Fund spend and impact is presented to the People and Health Scrutiny Committee. 

3.    The proposals set out in Appendix 2 for the allocation of Crisis and Resilience Fund funding to the resilience services and projects identified be agreed.