Agenda item

Members gave consideration to a report which presented the findings from the multi-agency Cost of Living Summit which had been hosted by West Lindsey District Council on 26 September 2022.

In presenting the report the Chairman indicated she was aware some Members would feel disappointed at the lack of financial commitment within the report, but set out her reasoning as to why she considered this the best approach, given the significant unknowns the Council was facing and an ever-changing situation.   The Authority’s current sound financial position was as a result of prudent management over the last 12 years.  Reserves once spent could not be replaced easily and as such it was important that any actions taken were sustainable and addressed real need.  The impact of numerous financial support packages offered by Central Government, many of which were administrated locally, was unknown as yet and would have impact on livelihoods.   Gas and petrol prices had stated to fall and there was a concern, given the risks identified in the report any commitments now would prevent the Council from assisting further if the situation continued to persist.  There was also concern that other Council priorities which had been supported in the Chamber, would not be delivered if resources were diverted without due consideration.  

Reference was made to the already existing funding gap and the unknowns the revised Government settlement presented, as such the Chairman was of the view that it would be more prudent to wait for the outcome of this settlement.  The Council’s core business needed to be secure in the first instance.  It was not being suggested that the Council should not do anything, with the Chairman outlining numerous examples, but that there was a need to ensure the interventions had a longer lasting impact.  It was also highlighted how the Council currently supported Voluntary and Community Groups and how offering greater support to such organisations could have the potential to provide community led support which matched need identified locally.

The Leader of the Council showed his support for the Chairman’s position echoing her comments around increased partnership working and support, ensuring interventions had a real impact and the unprecedented levels and sources of uncertainties the Council and the Country faced at the current time, in respect of its finances, moving the recommendations in the report.  

Debate ensued and Members from across the Chamber commented on the success of the Summit. Engagement from partners had been excellent and the knowledge gained invaluable. Members also spoke of the amount of information they had learned and the evening had made them more informed in terms of the support that currently existed across the District.

That being said, some Members, including Opposition Members, expressed disappointment, given the success of the Summit and the ideas generated, that the report lacked indication of any direct actions to be undertaken, and as such considered the need for urgent delivery had been overlooked.  It was not accepted that all potential actions would incur a cost, and as such a more detailed action plan had been anticipated.   The cost of consultants to-date was requested.

It was suggested by Opposition Members, that the Authority’s offer was lacking, in comparison to other East Midland authorities, the pace of delivery was also challenged, with people already facing extremely difficult circumstances and wanting to see things put in place.  It was accepted that any support needed to be appropriate and proportionate but moreover it needed to be quickly, not in a year’s time. 

This stance was shared by some Members, and whilst it was accepted that partnership working was the way forward, that financial handouts were not the best solution and that a small amount of funding could have a huge impact to “grass roots” organisations, it was the pace of delivery that caused concern,  with Members seeking to understand when such proposals would come forward given the word “future meeting” in the recommendation. 

Responding to previous comments, it was disputed all Councils were taking immediate action but the Chairman indicated that Members should share any learning they have from what other Authorities were implementing so all options could be considered.  Committee Members spoke of local organisations in the District creating warm spaces but already experiencing financial difficulty and of an initiative being run by a Town Council creating a fuel bank, suggesting supporting local parishes who may be more aware of residents’ direct needs at a local level, may be more appropriate and for consideration in any future action plan.

Referring to the proposal to promote the ‘Connect to Support Lincolnshire’ concern was raised that such websites were not often kept as up-to-date as they could be and this led to frustration.   The Chief Executive, by way of reassurance, outlined how the Authority was working closely with Districts from across the county to co-ordinate the information of the website.  Areas had been allocated to specific working groups; one looking at food banks; one looking at spaces; one at financial help and another at communications.  It was a collaborative approach between the third sector and Districts and was supported by the Integrated Care Board, established as part of a new structure.

The Chief Executive took the opportunity to raise the risks detailed within the report and asked Members to consider these in any decision they made.

Many Members were supportive of the rationale outlined at the outset, supported the ethos to support partners, and community organisations, as opposed to direct financial support to residents but continued to share concerns around timescales.  Members saw no reasoning as to why a plan could not be in place, regardless of the finances, and were of the view this could be revisited once the true settlement was known.  

It was suggested it should be feasible for Officers to bring back a plan that set out measures, which wouldn’t necessarily have additional resource implications or only marginal resource implications, alongside additional measures which may have spending implications, which could be authorised subsequently by a further report when the spending position was known better.

Given the comments made by Members, the Chairman requested assistance with re-wording recommendation 2 to reflect the sentiment of the Committee, with the following suggested and subsequently proposed, seconded and accepted: -

In response to the Motion resolved by Council on 4 July 2022; Officers be requested to scope additional financial support measures for “socially vulnerable households”.  Initial proposals to be brought to the December meeting, with future costings to be determined at a later date, by report to Committee. 

On that basis it was RESOLVED unanimously that: -

(a)    the findings and emerging themes arising from the Cost of Living Crisis Summit be noted;

(b)    in response to the motion resolved by Council on 4 July 2022; Officers scope additional financial support measures for “socially vulnerable households” and intial proposals be brought forward to the December meeting, with future costings to be determined at a later date, by report to Committee. 

(c)    the promotion and use of the ‘Connect to Support Lincolnshire’ website (https://lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/) on the Council’s own website, as a central source of online help and advice; and as a community directory relating to the cost of living for all Lincolnshire residents, be approved.