Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Public Health and Inequalities

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/256

Key decision

Contact: Paul Wilding, Programme Manager (Cost of Living)

Paul.wilding@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Public Affairs, Policy and Partnerships

To agree an expenditure programme following the government’s announcement of allocations from the new Crisis & Resilience Fund for the three year period from 1 April 2026.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)    agree the proposed structure of the cost of living support programme for 2026-29.

b)    delegate authority to the Director of Public Affairs, Policy & Partnerships in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities to agree new areas of expenditure, and allocate funding from the Crisis and Resilience Fund during 2026-29.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet received a report presenting the proposed structure and details of the Cost of Living Support Programme for Oxfordshire from 2026 to 2029. The report outlined the government’s introduction of the three-year Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), replacing the previous Household Support Fund (HSF), and explained how the funding would be allocated and used to support residents facing financial hardship due to ongoing cost of living pressures. The report also reviewed the 2025/26 programme and incorporated findings from a resident consultation to inform future priorities.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, presented the report.

Cabinet noted reductions in government funding and the ending of free school meal vouchers during school holidays, with the final vouchers having been issued at Easter. Cabinet agreed alternative targeted support measures, including enhanced support through family hubs, early years services, resident support schemes, school-based interventions and the Holiday Activities and Food programme.

Councillor Gregory moved and Councillor Gaul seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

a)               agree the proposed structure of the cost of living support programme for 2026-29.

b)       delegate authority to the Director of Public Affairs, Policy & Partnerships in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities to agree new areas of expenditure, and allocate funding from the Crisis and Resilience Fund during 2026-29.