Issue - decisions

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is a new, long-term scheme that replaces the Household Support Fund (HSF) with a single, three-year framework for local crisis support. Administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the primary objective of CRF is to both provide a safety net for those on low incomes who encounter a financial shock and to invest in building local financial resilience to enable individuals and communities to better deal with crises in the long-term, reducing crisis need.

This reflects a shift toward community-based preventative support, recognising that long-term financial resilience is best built through support embedded within local neighbourhoods.

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) is the lead authority for the delivery of CRF in the county and has allocated a grant of £222,870 to Cheltenham Borough Council to cover the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.


This decision report sets out the proposed allocation of the CRF grant.



Decisions

1) Sign and complete the Crisis and Resilience Fund grant agreement between Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham Borough Council;

2) The proposals for the allocation of Cheltenham’s Crisis and Resilience Fund grant as set out as set out in appendix A are approved;

3) Delegated authority is granted to the Head of communities, wellbeing & partnerships to enter into grant agreements with the provider organisations to deliver the Crisis and Resilience Fund programme in 2026/27.