Council sets out cost of living support
In response to increased national concerns about the rise in the cost of living, councillors have agreed a support package for residents of Arun.
Extraordinary meetings for the Housing and Wellbeing Committee and Policy and Finance committee, were held on Thursday 3 November, where recommendations were discussed, to provide services and resources to help our communities.
Supporting our partners in the voluntary and community sector to provide services that help the most vulnerable in our community is vital at this time and councillors heard that working with key partners to deliver a range of services to support vulnerable people is vital. Cost of living pressures are having an impact on a broad range of the community and those affected require information and support from a number of agencies. It is important that those agencies have the necessary resources and that the services delivered are complementary.
Recommendations to councillors at the Housing and Wellbeing Committee included approval of the following initiatives totalling £180,000 to support the residents of the district during the cost of living pressures.
- Energy Advice and Support £40,000
- Energy Efficiency Home Adviser £40,000
- Funding support for local food banks £20,000
- Small grants to VCS organisations £25,000
- Cost of living co-ordinator post made up of salary of app. £33,000, plus all associated on-costs, totalling £55,000
The Housing and Wellbeing committee debated these recommendations and approved all but the Energy and Efficiency Home adviser post.
The Policy and Finance committee approved the virement of £180,000 to fund the cost of living initiatives recommended by the Housing and Wellbeing committee, from additional interest on balances in 2022/23. The £40,000 unallocated sum will come back to the Housing & Wellbeing Committee for decision on spending to address cost of living issues.
Cllr Jacky Pendleton, Chair of the Housing and Wellbeing committee said:
“This was a robust and interesting debate and the recommendations made are key to ensuring appropriate support for the most vulnerable members of our communities. We will be working closely with our partners agencies to deliver this support.”
Cllr Shaun Gunner, Chair of Policy and Finance committee and Leader of the Council said:
“Seeing decisive action on such an important issue is encouraging and we know that by implementing these measures, residents in Arun will have access to the support and services they need. None of us have a crystal ball and can’t see what lies ahead but we know that we are well placed to face these challenges by calling together the expertise of key agencies and ensuring we keep the needs of our communities as our priority.”