Decision details

The Executive considered an update report on the progress that the Council had made in implementing the action plan agreed in October 2022 in response to the national cost of living crisis.

The following comments were made by Members:

·             in respect of the statement in Section 7 of the report regarding the potential duplication of work of the Cost of Living Member Group and Environment & Economy Select Committee on the cost of living crisis, there should be a diluting and softening of the demarcation between Executive and scrutiny functions with regard to this issue;

·             residents struggling with inflationary increases on bills were urged to apply for support under the Council Tax Support Scheme to see if they fulfilled the eligibility criteria;

·             officers were requested to investigate and confirm whether or not Cold Weather payments were still available for certain residents for when temperatures dropped below a certain level; and

·             attention was drawn to the Stevenage Community Trust who offered help to residents through an application for a heating grant (application forms were available from the Council, Citizens Advice Bureau, schools and Family Centres).

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the updates to the Cost of Living Action Plan, attached at Appendix A to the report, be noted.

2.          That the Council continues to work with key local partners, including through the Stevenage Together Partnership, to develop a co-ordinated response across agencies to support residents, businesses and community groups.

3.          That further cost of living updates be reported as part of the quarterly Corporate Performance and Budget Monitoring reports, the next of which for Quarter 2 of 2022/23 will be in March 2023.

4.          That it be noted that the potential for reduced income from fee-based

services and people struggling to pay council tax and/or rent, coupled with increased demand for services and higher costs, could significantly impact on the Council’s short and medium-term finances, and that this will continue to be closely monitored and reported to Executive as part of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and budget setting process.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.