The Director of Public Health introduced the report which provided an update on work undertaken to understand the need for warm hubs within the borough to support residents struggling to heat their homes due to the increase in energy costs. Warm hubs relate to any building that is or could be open to the public to enable them to keep warm.

It was reported that a review of actions by other councils had been undertaken and showed a range of approaches being explored and implemented, many of which were already in place in Wirral including a directory of warm spaces clearly marketed, the offering of grants to the Community, Voluntary and Faith Sector and the marketing of Council buildings already open as warm hubs offering refreshments and free access to Wi-Fi.

The Committee discussed the availability of warm hubs, where it was clarified that the existing 32 on offer was due to be increased to 62 following planned further discussions with the Contain Outbreak Management Fund Working Group the following day. Members urged officers to ensure that the additional investment was achieving value for money in keeping residents warm, and that due diligence had taken place to ensure safety and deliverability of the hubs.

Resolved – That

(1)  the availability of warm hubs across the Borough be noted.

(2)  the work being undertaken with the Community, Voluntary and Faith sector in identifying the support required by residents to address cost of living challenges be noted.

(3)  further reports on actions to address cost of living challenges for residents be reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board to ensure that there is strategic oversight from partners on action being taken to mitigate cost of living challenges.