Council

 

Date of meeting 20 October 2022

 

Agenda Item 40

 

 

 

 

GREEN Group Amendment

 

Cost-of-living Crisis Support

That changes are made as shown below in bold italics and strikethrough.

 

Council notes:

a. The severity of the current cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by surging energy bills and rising inflation, and the impact this is already having on Brighton and Hove residents;

b. That whilst an urgent change of course from the Central Government is necessary, there are steps we as a local authority can take and are already taking to support residents through this crisis; This includes:

 

Therefore, Council resolves to:

1.    Declares a cost-of-living emergency and a readiness to consider launching into commends that council officers continue to operate on full crisis-footing, akin to launching from the Covid-19 pandemic and climate emergency;

2.    Requests the continued promotion of communication and awareness campaigns helping residents in need understand where they can access help, including an emphasis on benefits that have a low-take up rate* and commends ongoing work such as:

·         the continuation of the council’s emergency community hub support https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/benefits/help-and-support/request-help

·         information leaflets delivered in the Spring;

·         the existing online information and work making help clear for residents and local businesses;

·         city wide advertising.

3.    Further notes the many lobbying asks of government agreed at 6th October P&R. These include:

3.4. Welcomes P&R** committing to an urgent ‘Cost-of-Living Crisis Summit’, bringing together key stakeholders and partners and recognises that these organisations have been working together already for many months. CVS partners have been meeting council officers since the Spring; relevant council teams since the summer.   requests officers work with them to consider existing and emerging risks, and develop plans and a formal emergency response

4. 5.Requests officers Notes that officers have already considered rising childcare costs whilst distributing the Household Support Fund which was agreed at Policy and Resources Committee and explore any additional grant funding opportunities available for childcare costs;

5. 6. Declares its support for the formation of a Local Economy Recovery Organisation and a Mutual Credit Network to help businesses and residents struggling with inflationary pressures;

6. 7. Restates its commitment to ramping up community wealth building efforts, particularly through procurement and support for small and medium independent local businesses to help them weather this storm;

7. Requests officers report back to Policy & Resources Committee regularly to outline progress in responding to this emergency.

8. Notes that there will be an all-councillor briefing tomorrow and that briefings will continue for councillors.

9. Notes the Greater Brighton Economic Board this week commissioned the Institute of Employment Studies (IES) to research the impact of the crisis.

 

Proposed by: Cllr Mac Cafferty                                         Seconded by: Cllr Allbrooke

 

Motion to read if carried:

 

Council notes:

a. The severity of the current cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by surging energy bills and rising inflation, and the impact this is already having on Brighton and Hove residents;

b. That whilst an urgent change of course from the Central Government is necessary, there are steps we as a local authority can take and are already taking to support residents through this crisis. This includes:

 

Therefore, Council resolves to:

  1. Declares a cost-of-living emergency and commends that council officers continue to operate on full crisis-footing, launching from the Covid-19 pandemic and climate emergency;
  2. Requests the continued promotion of communication and awareness campaigns helping residents in need understand where they can access help, including an emphasis on benefits that have a low-take up rate* and commends ongoing work such as:

·         the continuation of the council’s emergency community hub support https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/benefits/help-and-support/request-help

·         information leaflets delivered in the Spring;

·         the existing online information and work making help clear for residents and local businesses;

·         city wide advertising.

  1. Further notes the many lobbying asks of government agreed at 6th October P&R. These include:

4. Welcomes P&R** committing to an urgent ‘Cost-of-Living Crisis Summit’, bringing together key stakeholders and partners and recognises that these organisations have been working together already for many months. CVS partners have been meeting council officers since the Spring; relevant council teams since the summer.   

5. Notes that officers have already considered rising childcare costs whilst distributing the Household Support Fund which was agreed at Policy and Resources Committee and explore any additional grant funding opportunities available for childcare costs;

6. Declares its support for the formation of a Local Economy Recovery Organisation and a Mutual Credit Network to help businesses and residents struggling with inflationary pressures;

7. Restates its commitment to ramping up community wealth building efforts, particularly through procurement and support for small and medium independent local businesses to help them weather this storm;

8. Notes that there will be an all-councillor briefing tomorrow and that briefings will continue for councillors.

9. Notes the Greater Brighton Economic Board this week commissioned the Institute of Employment Studies (IES) to research the impact of the crisis.