Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for People and Communities to submit a report on the cost of living and the Council’s approach to supporting our communities.

Cabinet

(1)  NOTED the contents of the report and ENDORSED the proposed areas of focus and associated programme of work to mitigate the impacts of cost-of-living increases;

(2)  NOTED and ENDORSED the work the Council would do with partners to secure additional external funding and deliver appropriate community support, for example through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Michelle Howard, Director for Housing and Communities introduced the report, the purpose of which was to provide an initial overview of the things which were in place and set out what was proposed over the next 3 months, as part of a Corporate Cost of Living Action Plan.

Mrs Howard advised that the Council was committed to supporting its communities.  To guide its Plan consideration was given to who may be most affected by the cost of living pressures (at risk groups, situational risk factors which would impacted on communities etc).  The Plan was a live document and the Council would be proactive, agile and flexible to respond the impacts on communities.  The work spanned a range of teams and Council partner organisations.  Tomorrow, a meeting would be held with the Helping People Partnership (a range of stakeholders) to discuss plans and how to work better together.  The Plan has 3 themes, set out in the report:

·         Insights and evidence – engaging with residents.  Some work had been undertaken using the customer feedback tool, Govmetric , which had provided valuable data and insight to help shape plans. 

·         Communication and information – including a communication campaign, which would be carefully branded and promoted widely through the web and other documentation to help residents find and access support.

·         Support – ensuring households know that the Council can help and that they know how to access that support when they need it.

Mrs Howard highlighted that paragraph 5 of the report covered actions which were completed, those currently underway and those planned to be undertaken, including linking the cost of living response with the draft UK SPF Investment Plan (on the agenda later this evening). It is proposed that an All Member Briefing and stakeholder briefings be held before a further to Cabinet in October.

The Portfolio Holder for People and Communities,  Councillor Malise Graham, commented that the Council had been proactive in putting together a plan, which would provide help to households across the borough, at a time when their budgets would be stretched.  The plan constructively considered what could be done now and in the future and would evolve in line with any changes to need.  It was important to communicate the plan effectively to ensure all were aware of the help available.  The Council was liaising with stakeholders, tenants, parish councils etc. and welcomed further input from them and others on how the Council’s response could be more meaningful.   The Council would continue to help people out of crisis and reduce the demand on food banks and this plan will hopefully reduce the risk of people falling into hardship.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         It was agreed that Councillor Graham and Councillor Browne would write to Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton and to the Greg Clark, Secretary of State to reiterate concerns and why the government needed to do more to help people.

·         Those living in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) were more likely to be on lower incomes, encounter financial difficulty and other social issues.  It was suggested that a discretionary fund and other suitable help be made available to them, as they were not eligible for the £150 council tax rebate.

·         The proposed local supermarket was welcomed.

·         Councillor Graham and Councillor Browne would work together to mitigate any significant impacts relating to rent rises etc. while recognising that Council income was essential to be able to maintain Council homes.

Cabinet

(1)  NOTED the contents of the report and ENDORSED the proposed areas of focus and associated programme of work to mitigate the impacts of cost-of-living increases;

(2)  NOTED and ENDORSED the work the Council would do with partners to secure additional external funding and deliver appropriate community support, for example through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Reason for Recommendation:

Cost of living increases are impacting households across the country. The Council is concerned about the impact on households and associated financial resilience and wellbeing of our communities.

Whilst there are some measures to mitigate the impacts being implemented at a national level, it is important that the Council also considers how it can advise and support households and communities across Melton.

The Council will need to be dynamic in its response in response to local need and impacts.