Agenda item

Purpose: 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 consider how we build upon the response so far.

The Board considered the Cost of Living Crisis Update (Agenda Item 13). Sean Murphy (Service Lead - Public Protection) presented this item.

It was noted that the Cost of Living and Poverty Forum intended to invite the local MPs to a future meeting and to write to relevant Minister of State to express their concerns regarding the future of the Household Support Fund.

It was agreed to keep Cost of Living Crisis Updates on future Health and Wellbeing Board agendas, and that the forum should be renamed to People in Poverty or Poverty Forum to recognise its true role.

Members indicated that it would be useful to have trend data to show changes in demand for services over time, recognising that there would be an additional burden on the voluntary sector associated with providing this data.

Action: Develop a standard proforma to capture demand for services in numbers rather than relying solely on narrative.

It was highlighted that a recent Hot Focus Session had explored issues around Housing and Health, and it was agreed that the issues should be presented to a future Board meeting.

Action: Bring a report on Housing and Health to the next Health and Wellbeing Board meeting.

It was noted that in Reading, the Public Health Team had influenced how the Housing Support Fund could be spent, which included female sanitary products and baby milk. The proposal to involve West Berkshire Council’s Public Health Team was welcomed.

It was highlighted that community resource centres in other countries had items such as mobility aids that they could distribute to people in need, as well as bulk supplies of frozen food for elderly residents.

It was confirmed that the Community Resource Centre, Shopmobility and NRS Healthcare all accepted donation of mobility aids that were no longer needed and made them available to local residents. It was considered that these services should be better promoted.

Members asked about intelligence from Social Prescribers on issues faced by patients who were experiencing poverty. It was confirmed that there were lots of referrals to the Cost of Living Hub. Lots of organisations were dealing separately with the same people and it was suggested that packages of support were needed. While the priority had been providing immediate financial support, this would need to change going forward. Communications were flagged as being important.

The importance of access to digital services was stressed and it was noted that the Mental Health Action Group was looking at tackling digital exclusion.

It was noted that there had been little evaluation of the value of conversations – those in need often found the ability to talk through their problems as valuable as the practical support that was provided.

It was confirmed that the Corn Exchange had launched the Supper Club. Three families were regularly attending, but there was capacity for more. These families had found alliance in each other, and valued the chance to step away from their challenges and not to feel alone.

RESOLVED to:

(a)  Note the report.

(b)  Receive an update from the Service Lead – Public Protection at the next meeting.