Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/137

Contact: Robin Rogers, Programme Director (Partnerships and Delivery), 07789923206

Report by Corporate Director Customers, Organisational Development & Resources (CA9).

This report sets out work already underway by the Council and recommends additional actions that can be taken to mitigate the impact of cost of living rises for those in greatest need.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)                  Note the arrangements already in place to support residents in the cost of living crises, noted from paragraph 31;

b)                  Agree to the proposals for additional support for residents set out in Table 2;

c)                  Agree to the funding arrangements included in Table 2 to bring forward the use of £200,000 from the COVID reserve originally agreed to be used for emergency welfare spending in 2025/26 to 2022/23;

d)                  Agree to contribute £50,000 to match fund a Council Tax Hardship Fund in West Oxfordshire District Council in 2022/23 funded from the Budget Priorities Reserve and to invite the city and other district councils to draw up similar schemes with a match funding contribution of £50,000 from the County Council.

e)                  Note the additional support being put in place for staff in Annex 1.

The following amendments were agreed:

In Table 2 on Page 11 of Addenda 2, delete “up to £50,000 per district / city authority” and replace with “up to a maximum of £380,000”.

Recommendation d) was replaced with the text below

RESOLVED to

a)                  Note the arrangements already in place to support residents in the cost of living crises, noted from paragraph 31;

b)                  Agree to the proposals for additional support for residents set out in Table 2 as amended;

c)                  Agree to the funding arrangements included in Table 2 as amended to bring forward the use of £200,000 from the COVID reserve originally agreed to be used for emergency welfare spending in 2025/26 to 2022/23;

d)                  Agree to contribute up to a maximum of £380,000 in matched funds to support Council Tax Hardship schemes in 2022/23, as described in paragraph 45, equitably dispersed between the City and District Councils.

e)                  Note the additional support being put in place for staff in Annex 1.

Cabinet received a report setting out work already underway by the Council and recommending additional actions that can be taken to mitigate the impact of cost of living rises for those in greatest need.

Councillor Calum Miller introduced the report.  He noted that there was particular concern entering the winter period about the costs of fuel and food.  He was pleased that the Council was able to provide funding during school holidays for those entitled to free school meals.  They were ensuring that there was continuing access to advice for individuals facing problems.  £322,000 was being provided to support the care workers charity and £100,000 towards the programme to provide warm places during the winter.  These were not huge sums but were manageable given the Council’s limited resources.  They will continue to highlight the challenges to national government.

Cabinet Members made the following points:

·       The continued partnership working with other councils, partners and voluntary organisations, which worked so well during the pandemic, was welcomed.

·       It was hoped the advice on financial wellbeing could be kept in place as it was likely this crisis would continue for some time.

·       The number of children in poverty was rising – even in this relatively rich county.  The poor always suffer most and it was important to ensure equitable distribution of funding to reduce inequalities.

·       The Council was working with gypsy and traveller families to tackle their particular issues, for example they pay energy costs in their rent.

·       The health impacts of hardship were not short-term but have lifelong impacts.

Councillor Mark Lygo left the meeting.

Councillor Miller proposed an amendment with a new text for recommendation d):

“Agree to contribute up to a maximum of £380,000 in matched funds to support Council Tax Hardship schemes in 2022/23, as described in paragraph 45, equitably dispersed between the City and District Councils.”

along with an amendment to the report:

In Table 2 on Page 11 of Addenda 2, delete “up to £50,000 per district / city authority” and replace with “up to a maximum of £380,000”.

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Phillips and agreed.

Councillor Miller moved the recommendations as amended.  It was seconded by Councillor Sudbury and agreed.

RESOLVED to

a)                  Note the arrangements already in place to support residents in the cost of living crises, noted from paragraph 31;

b)                  Agree to the proposals for additional support for residents set out in Table 2 as amended;

c)                  Agree to the funding arrangements included in Table 2 as amended to bring forward the use of £200,000 from the COVID reserve originally agreed to be used for emergency welfare spending in 2025/26 to 2022/23;

d)                  Agree to contribute up to a maximum of £380,000 in matched funds to support Council Tax Hardship schemes in 2022/23, as described in paragraph 45, equitably dispersed between the City and District Councils.

e)                  Note the additional support being put in place for staff in Annex 1.