Agenda item

Recommendations

i.                That Executive notes the Crisis & Resilience Fund (CRF) allocation confirmed by Government for North Yorkshire Council for the 2026/27 financial year of £6,644,811.48, and the national transition from existing discretionary support arrangements to the new CRF framework.

ii.              That Executive notes and approves the inclusion, within the overall CRF allocation, of targeted discretionary fuel related support to assist low income households experiencing financial hardship and rising living costs, including those living in off gas properties reliant on LPG, heating oil or other alternative fuels. This includes additional one off Government funding of £1,061,623 for 2026/27, to be delivered through the Crisis & Resilience Fund in line with national guidance.

iii.             That Executive approves North Yorkshire Council’s approach to implementing the Crisis & Resilience Fund (CRF) from 1 April 2026, including the use of interim delivery arrangements to ensure continuity of crisis and housing support for residents while a longer term No Wrong Door / One Front Door operating model is finalised, in line with CRF guidance which anticipates a phased implementation approach and requires the Council’s CRF Delivery Plan to be submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions by 1 July 2026.

iv.             That Executive approves the Housing Payments (Crisis & Resilience Fund) Policy (Appendix A), which formally replaces the Council’s Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) policy with effect from 1 April 2026, consistent with national arrangements and CRF grant conditions.

v.              That Executive approves and delegates authority to the Corporate Director – Resources (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the relevant Executive Member, to operate and apply the approved CRF framework and Housing Payments Policy, including:

a)   administering individual CRF awards (including Housing Payments and fuel related support);

b)   managing and monitoring expenditure across CRF strands to ensure compliance with grant conditions and value for money; and

c)   making minor operational amendments required during the interim period, reporting back to Members as appropriate.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Resources setting out the proposed approach to implementing the Government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), including fuel support and replacement of discretionary housing payments.  The Council’s allocation confirmed by the Government was £6,644,811.48 for 2026/27.  Within the overall allocation was £1,061,623 to support low-income households reliant on heating oil which were experiencing financial hardship through rising costs.  Approval was sought for a CRF Delivery Plan to be submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions.  Approval was also sought for the Housing Payments (Crisis and Resilience Fund) Policy which would formally replace the Council’s Discretionary Housing Payments Policy from 1 April 2026.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Heather Phillips, introduced the report and explained that the CRF replaced the Household Support Fund and reflected new Government priorities, including recognition of rurality and off-gas households reliant on LPG and heating oil.  A number of people had been helped already through partnership with Citizens Advice and the Council’s “no wrong door” and “one front door” approach.

The Director of Resources confirmed measures to raise awareness of the fund to ensure eligible residents could access support, which included working with the Citizens Advice Bureau and information on the website.  The funding was only for those experiencing financial hardship, the council held data on those who may be eligible and proactive communication was taking place. 

Resolved (unanimously)

1)             That Executive notes the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) allocation confirmed by Government for North Yorkshire Council for the 2026/27 financial year of £6,644,811.48, and the national transition from existing discretionary support arrangements to the new CRF framework.

2)             That Executive notes and approves the inclusion, within the overall CRF allocation, of targeted discretionary fuel related support to assist low income households experiencing financial hardship and rising living costs, including those living in off gas properties reliant on LPG, heating oil or other alternative fuels. This includes additional one off Government funding of £1,061,623 for 2026/27, to be delivered through the Crisis and Resilience Fund in line with national guidance.

3)             That Executive approves North Yorkshire Council’s approach to implementing the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) from 1 April 2026, including the use of interim delivery arrangements to ensure continuity of crisis and housing support for residents while a longer term No Wrong Door / One Front Door operating model is finalised, in line with CRF guidance which anticipates a phased implementation approach and requires the Council’s CRF Delivery Plan to be submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions by 1 July 2026.

4)             That Executive approves the Housing Payments (Crisis and Resilience Fund) Policy (Appendix A), which formally replaces the Council’s Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) policy with effect from 1 April 2026, consistent with national arrangements and CRF grant conditions.

5)             That Executive approves and delegates authority to the Corporate Director – Resources (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the relevant Executive Member, to operate and apply the approved CRF framework and Housing Payments Policy, including:

a)    administering individual CRF awards (including Housing Payments and fuel related support);

b)    managing and monitoring expenditure across CRF strands to ensure compliance with grant conditions and value for money; and

c)     making minor operational amendments required during the interim period, reporting back to Members as appropriate.

Reasons for recommendations

The proposed interim delivery option provides a time‑limited approach (up to six months) to delivering the CRF from April 2026, while the Council completes the design and approval of the permanent CRF operating model in line with national guidance.

Alternative options considered

In developing the proposed approach, the following alternative options were considered:

·       Delay implementation until the full CRF model is approved. This option was rejected as the CRF replaces both the Household Support Fund and DHP from 1 April 2026. Delaying implementation would risk disruption to crisis and housing support, causing hardship for residents and exposing the Council to financial and reputational risk.

·       Preferred option: The recommended approach is to approve a time‑limited interim delivery model, ensuring continuity of support from April 2026 while enabling the proper design of a fully integrated No Wrong Door / One Front Door CRF model to return to Executive in July 2026.