Issue - meetings

A report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Sustainability, looking for approval of the Procurement of a Crisis Payment Provider.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Resources that sought approval for the procurement of a crisis payment provider to be funded by the Crisis and Resilience Grant Funding commencing 1^st April 2026.

The Cabinet was being asked to consider and agree to procure a comprehensive crisis payment provider for a 3-year period, with option to extend for a further 3-year period subject to funding being available.

As part of the scheme guidance for the Crisis and Resilience Fund, we are required to assess and administer crisis payments. This umbrella payment approach will enable the Local Welfare Provision and Crisis Payments Team to quickly support residents experiencing financial crisis. It will ensure we have access to a range of payment options including energy vouchers, supermarket vouchers, goods in kind and other types of payments so that we can support residents experiencing different types of crises. The funding would be provided by the Department of Work and Pensions via the Crisis and Resilience Grant Funding commencing 1^st April 2026.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 – To not procure a crisis payment provider.

Option 2 (preferred Option) – To procure a crisis payment provider, as detailed and recommended in the submitted report.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet agree to:

1.    The procurement of a crisis payment provider for a period of 3 years with option to extend for a further 3-year period subject to available funding.

2.    Continuing with the current approach of utilising a provider called HUGGG to issue crisis payments for up to three months to allow for the procurement process to take place.

3.    To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Resources in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Sustainability to award the contract following the completion of the procurement process.

4.    To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Sustainability, to approve any extensions to the contract as provided for within the original contract terms and where there is budget available.