The Director of Resources introduced the report which detailed the proposed response to the cost-of-living crisis affecting the Borough and its residents caused by the current and predicted high energy costs and rapidly rising inflation impacting on business and residents’ incomes. The report detailed the information that had been collected by the Council in terms of the impact of the crisis on residents as well as the impact on the Council with a reported £5.3m gap in the 2022-23 budget as a result of energy increases, contract inflation and reduction in income. The report further detailed the package of both financial and non-financial support put in place for residents and businesses including from the Council, Central Government and other organisations.

Members discussed the report in detail and feedback was provided in relation to communicating with residents about the support on offer, and the links between the climate crisis and cost of living crisis. Further concern was raised in relation to the impact of increasing costs for foster carers, care homes and the delivery of the Council’s regeneration programme.

Following the debate, it was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Jean Robinson, that –

“the Policy & Resources Committee:

1. recognises the cost of living rise as a crisis for the Borough and that the Authority’s response to assist citizens and businesses in need is declared as a priority in the coming period;

2. authorise the Chief Executive and Directors to:

1. collate and communicate the services and facilities that the Council can offer residents and businesses and the means by which they may access that support; and
2. work with community groups and other bodies to co-ordinate and assist, directly and through inclusion within the Cost of Living Action Group, to ensure the best delivery of services and facilities that may provide assistance across the Borough in responding to the cost of living crisis: and

3. incorporate the cost of living crisis as a stand-alone item for the Group Leaders’ (Member Working Group) agenda for the Group Leaders to be briefed upon ongoing issues and liaise with the Cost of Living Action Group and to report back to a future meeting of the Committee the progress being made to support the crisis

4. That the Director of Resources report to the earliest possible meeting of this Committee on:

1. a review of all council buildings, including libraries and leisure centres, and provide the additional energy costings to keep them open during the Winter months to provide safe and warm spaces for residents who are struggling with the cost of living crisis;
2. updating the Committee on work with our partners including the NHS, police, fire service, community and faith sector groups, to establish buildings that can be accessed by residents during the winter months to keep them safe and warm;
3. a breakdown of all funding found to be available to community groups currently providing a support to residents in need, with a view to continuing and/or increasing it to ensure that residents are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42