Issue - meetings

The Leader presented the report of the Director: Communities, Customer and Commercial Services.

Across the UK, people were facing an unprecedented cost of living crisis. Inflation rates had increased significantly over recent weeks, due to a number of factors, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, however, the situation had been made worse by the actions of the new Government. The increased costs of energy, food, road fuel, rents and other essentials were having a disproportionate impact on those who could least afford it.

The report summarised a range of measures that the Council had already delivered or funded to support residents and businesses within the Borough, however, a comprehensive package of new measures had been established to support residents and businesses through the crisis, which were outlined in the report.

Cabinet Members expressed their concern at the current situation nationally and noted the real impacts that were being seen across the Borough, Members discussed conversations they had had with residents regarding the impact of the crisis. Members welcomed the range of support measures that the strategy offered but noted that central government needed to change their strategy and restore confidence back into the markets.

In response to a question from the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, the Leader confirmed that faith groups could be provided with Grants from the Council for various initiatives within the strategy. 

RESOLVED that:

a)    The Cost of Living Strategy be approved and the support already delivered or funded by the Council to be date be noted, and the additional support and funding proposed in the strategy be endorsed;

b)   That authority be delegated to the Director: Communities, Customer and Commercial Services, in consultation with the Member Cost of Living Group chaired by the Leader, to take the necessary steps to implement these recommendations, including the approval of spending the Household Support Fund Grant allocations and Council Tax Hardship Fund;

c)    That authority be delegated to the Director: Housing, Employment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the lead Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, Employment and the High Street, to take the necessary steps to implement the proposed additional support for businesses set out in this strategy.