Support for residents struggling with the cost of living will be accelerated over the summer, following agreement by the council’s decision-making executive.
The council’s financial hardship plan has been in place since September 2022. Following the executive’s decision on Tuesday, a number of activities and support will now be added to the programme or stepped-up to further support local people.
The locally agreed support includes:
- providing supermarket food vouchers to eligible families until Easter 2024
- hosting cost of living sessions at family hubs to help those who need financial support and advice
- running a cost of living information session in Princess Square
- further encouraging those eligible to take up council tax support and reductions through a targeted campaign
Other actions that will take place over the next couple of months include:
- further promotion of support available through the Household Support Fund and Local Welfare Scheme - this can provide short-term support for essential food and energy costs
- meeting with headteachers to encourage schools to highlight support available within their communities
- promoting the availability of social tariffs for broadband bills so eligible residents can get help with broadband costs and are not digitally excluded
Additionally, up to £150,000 will be awarded to local organisations as part of the Household Support Fund partnership grant, so they can continue to provide vital support to residents this winter.
Cllr Mary Temperton, leader of the council, said:
“It is really difficult financially for lots of residents at the moment, with many not being able to afford their bills, and so we need to provide as much support and advice as possible.
“The hardship plan has already provided many residents with practical ways of reducing their bills and accessing benefits and discounts to help with their financial situation, but there is still more to do.
“By increasing the support we have available, whether it’s providing supermarket vouchers for people struggling to feed their families or showing people how to reduce their energy and utility bills, we are directly helping those who need it the most.
“Taking our support and information sessions out into the community will also make this advice more accessible, so we can help even more people.”
The additional actions were agreed by the executive on Tuesday, 20 June. The executive also agreed to review the plan in the autumn ahead of any actions needed for winter.
More information on support available can be found on our cost of living pages.
