Agenda item

To update the Health and Wellbeing Board on the collective response to the impact on residents in West Berkshire of the rise in the cost of living, and to consider how we build upon the response so far.

Sean Murphy (Public Protection Manager) presented the report on the Local Response to the Cost of Living Increases (Agenda Item 13).

Members noted the positive messages related to the Council’s response and the observations of service users and asked if these were being used in communications with residents. It was stressed that that the response had involved a wide range of partners and not just the Council. The Working Group had felt that there was a clear need to build on the success of the Cost of Living Hub.

Clarification was sought in relation to the figures and percentages quoted in sections 4.12 and 5.2 of the report. It was confirmed that the percentages quoted in 5.2 related to the survey responses, while figures quoted in 4.12 related to the number of referrals to the service.

Members asked if work had been done to learn where customers had found out about the Hub. There was surprise at the low levels of referral from the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Board wondered if this needed to be promoted more.

The importance of Making Every Contact Count was recognised, particularly since experience with the Cost of Living Hub had shown that often the first thing that customers raised was often not the main issue.

The Board had been impressed by how quickly the Cost of Living Hub had been set up, which had built on the success of the Covid Hub. It was recognised that conversations held through the Hubs had built up trust and momentum.

It was noted that a foodbank located in a school in a prosperous part of Newbury was well-used by parents. Members expressed anger that such measures were necessary in such an affluent country.

A question was asked about whether the Household Support Fund was fully utilised. Members noted that many of the claims were for small amounts. It was confirmed that most of the funding had been spent. This was the first time that the funding had been paid for a full year – previous allocations had been for six months. The fund had not launched until 23 June and there had been a flurry of applications at the start. It was thought that additional applications would have been made since the report had been written. There had been allocations for free school meal vouchers during the holiday period.

It was highlighted that in other local authorities, the Household Support Fund had been managed by the Director of Public Health. The current round of funding gave more discretion as to how it could be used. The Board felt that it would be useful to know more about how people were being supported, who was being supported and what the funding was being spent on. It was proposed that further information could be provided as part of future reports to the Board.

Concern was expressed about the fact that the Food Bank and Newbury Soup Kitchen were struggling due to losing volunteers and falling donations. Also, the Soup Kitchen had reported additional problems with customers who were struggling with addictions. Support was expressed for a further meeting with statutory and voluntary sector partners to agree a way forward for providing ongoing support for residents who were struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.

The Board praised the work of officers in setting up and running the Cost of Living Hub and asked that their thanks be passed on to those involved.

Members highlighted additional pressures facing many families due to rising mortgage and rent payments. 

RESOLVED to:

(a)  note the report and the response of partners to date;

(b)  agree that the Public Protection Manager should arrange a meeting of statutory and voluntary sector partners and other interested partners to consider options and agree a way forward for providing ongoing support to residents who are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living; and

(c)  receive further updates on the impacts of the cost of living on local residents at each of the remaining meetings for the 2023/24 municipal year.