Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing

Purpose of report

This report presents both the activities Cherwell District Council is currently engaged in to support residents experiencing difficulties because of the rising cost of living and provides an update on a range of new actions designed for this winter and so complete the action agreed by Full Council on 17 July,

This council notes the ongoing pressure on the budgets of local residents and calls on the Executive to draw up a cost-of-living action plan within 100 days.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To approve £100,000 investment in the additional activities programmed for winter 2023 and set out within this report as an action plan.

1.2         To approve the development of an evaluation framework that captures the impact of these actions and require officers to update the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November 2023 and January 2024 on progress made.

Resolved

(1)          That £100,000 investment in the additional activities programmed for winter 2023 be approved.

(2)          That the development of an evaluation framework that captures the impact of these actions be approved and officers be requested to update the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November 2023 and January 2024 on progress made.

The Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing submitted a report which presented both the activities Cherwell District Council was currently engaged in to support residents experiencing difficulties because of the rising cost of living and provided an update on a range of new actions designed for this winter and so complete the action agreed by Full Council on 17 July 2023 “This council notes the ongoing pressure on the budgets of local residents and calls on the Executive to draw up a cost-of-living action plan within 100 days.”

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities thanked the Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing, the Wellbeing Team and the Food Insecurity Working Group for their ongoing hard work in this area.

Councillor Sean Woodcock, who had proposed the motion at the 17 July 2023 Council meeting addressed Executive, commending the work that had been undertaken to date and stressing the importance of keeping the work under  review to ensure support for residents continued.

Resolved

(1)          That £100,000 investment in the additional activities programmed for winter 2023 be approved.

(2)          That the development of an evaluation framework that captures the impact of these actions be approved and officers be requested to update the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November 2023 and January 2024 on progress made.

Reasons

Working in partnership across the district with statutory and voluntary sector organisations, both strategically and on a hyperlocal basis, officers will continue to ensure that Cherwell residents can access support and secure help when needed.

The council recognises that the response to the cost of living crisis is iterative and will need to be flexible to best meet changing needs of residents.

The broad range of everyday activity currently running is intended to support residents’ wellbeing across the five key themes identified, recognising the interplay between them and their respective impact on the lived experience of residents.

Alternative options

Option 1: To review all programmes and reduce expenditure to statutory levels only.

Rejected: The Council takes its community leadership role seriously and works in partnership with voluntary organisations, charities, and other administrations to provide help and support to residents at their most vulnerable and challenging times. Cutting services and support at this time would not be in that interest.

Option 2: To expand the provision of support.

Rejected: The Council would have to use reserves to commit to a wider support package which is not prudent in the current financial climate