Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, BN17 5LF. View directions

Contact: Carley Lavender 

Items
No. Item

388.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received Councillor Daniells.

 

389.

Declarations of Interest

Members and Officers are invited to make any declaration of pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests that they may have in relation to items on this agenda, and are reminded that they should re-declare their interest before consideration of the items or as soon as the interest becomes apparent.

 

Members and Officers should make their declaration by stating:

 

a)             the item they have the interest in

b)             whether it is a pecuniary/personal interest and/or prejudicial interest

c)             the nature of the interest

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made.

 

390.

COST OF LIVING REPORT pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Council officers have been working with local partners to scope and assess the impact of the current and future cost of living pressures in Arun communities.  The findings are outlined in this report which includes information on work being delivered. The report also outlines proposals to provide further support for local communities, families, and residents in greatest need. 

 

Minutes:

The Wellbeing and Communities Manager provided members with a detailed overview of her report, she first drew members attention to the cost-of-living issues facing many households across the district over the coming months. She explained that the basis of the recommendations before the Committee today had been formed on a partnership basis with Voluntary Action in Arun Community (VAAC) and Citizens Advice. She also advised Members that Council partners Jackie Sumner from VAAC and Luca Bodioli from Citizens Advice were also in attendance to assist with answering any questions members may have.

 

Following thorough discussion members then voted on the recommendations before them.

 

A request was made, and the committee agreed that, the voting on the recommendations be undertaken separately. Having duly been proposed and seconded;

 

The Committee

 

          RESOLVED

 

1.2. To approve the following initiatives (with the exception of 1.2.2) totalling £180,000 to support the residents of the district during the cost-of-living pressures, subject to approval by the Policy and Finance Committee of funding (detailed in Appendix A) as the vote was split with 4 For and 4 Against the Chair used her casting vote in favour and this was approved:

 

 

          The Committee

 

 RESOLVED 

 

To approve (1.2.1). Energy Advice and Support £40,000

 

          The Committee

                    

                     RESOLVED

 

Not to approve the (1.2.2). Energy Efficiency Home Adviser £40,000 Page 1 Agenda Item 3

 

          The Committee

 

                     RESOLVED

 

To approve (1.2.3.) Funding support for local food banks £20,000

 

         

 

The Committee

 

                     RESOLVED

 

To approve (1.2.4.) Small grants to VCS organisations £25,000

 

          The Committee

 

                     RESOLVED

 

To approve (1.2.5.) Cost of living co-ordinator post £55,000

 

          In turning to the recommendation to be presented to the Policy and Finance Committee the Chair proposed an amendment to read as follows with additions shown in bold

 

“1.3. that they approve a virement of £180,000 to fund the cost-of-living crisis initiatives identified in recommendation 1.2 from additional interest on balances in 2022/23. If there are any monies outstanding it comes back to the Housing & Wellbeing Committee for decision on spending”

 

          This amendment was duly seconded and therefore 

 

          The Committee

 

                     RECOMMENDED TO THE POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

That they approve (1.3) a virement of £180,000 to fund the cost-of-living crisis initiatives identified in recommendation 1.2 from additional interest on balances in 2022/23. If there are any monies outstanding it comes back to the Housing & Wellbeing Committee for decision on spending.