Agenda item

This report sets out the steps that South Kesteven District Council and partners in the public, voluntary and community sector can take to provide support and advice to those who are being most impacted by the cost of living.

 

The Cabinet Member for People and Safer Communities introduced the report that outlined the concerning cost of living crisis for residents and businesses across the District.

 

The cost of living strategic working group was created in August 2022 and supported by Senior Managers in key areas: Community Engagement, Communications, Economic Development, Finance, Housing and Revenues and Benefits. The working group meets on a weekly basis.

 

A cost of living information and advice Hub had been created as part of earlier working group meetings and is included on the home page of the Council’s website.

 

Residents that did not have access to the internet were being considered as part of the working groups action plan, along with ways in which these residents could be reached. It was suggested that this may be through Parish and Town Councils networks.

 

A cross-partner approach to the cost of living had been undergoing, which included an internal strategic working group (Cabinet Member and Senior Management). In addition, an external strategic task force had been developed for collaborative working.

 

Crisis Support Events were due to be held across the District.

 

Members welcomed the report.

 

It was queried what happened to residents who did not meet the criteria to receive benefits. It was further questioned, how residents with language barriers would be communicated with.

 

The Head of Revenues, Benefits and Customer Service recognised that residents who did not meet criteria had been recognised throughout 2022/23 and additional support had been provided. District network meetings with Lincolnshire County Council were due to take place to discuss how ‘hard to reach’ residents could be contacted and whether there was funding available.

 

It was suggested that Parish Councils assist with communication residents that are ‘hard to reach’.

 

It was confirmed that Department of Working Pensions and Citizens Advice assist with residents who do not speak English.

 

One Member queried whether the funds had to be claimed or are automatically sent.

 

The Head of Revenues, Benefits and Customer Service highlighted those where an application process is in place. Statutory benefits were means tested and an application form was required. The £150 Council Tax energy rebate required no application form, the guidance had been established and provided by Central Government. The Household Support Fund was assessed on an income and expenditure level; therefore, an application was required.

 

It was queried as to whether there was a time limit on providing funds to eligible residents.

 

It was confirmed that the Council Tax energy rebate (mandatory scheme) had ended on 30 September 2022 and 99.8% of people within the District had received their payment. The people that had not received their payment, was as a result of their voucher not being redeemed. The Discretionary Scheme was in payment until 30 November 2022. Household Support Fund (new fund) had been announced with effect on 1 October 2022 – 31 March 2023.

 

Clarification was sought on the difference between the Task Force and the Strategic Working Group.

 

The Head of Revenues, Benefits and Customer Service clarified that the Strategic Working Group was the internal group, chaired by Councillor Annie Mason with Officers from each service area. The external working group had been renamed to Task Force.

 

The Cabinet Member of Housing and Property suggested that a table could be published in newspapers for individuals who do not have access to IT to communicate with them regarding the cost of living and the benefits available.

 

It was further noted that a table regarding the cost of living and the benefits available could be published in December 2022 version of SK Today, this would be explored.

 

It was questioned whether Citizens Advice Bureau and Samaritans were involved with the working group meetings.

 

The working group meetings were working alongside Citizens Advice Bureau. It was confirmed that Samaritans would be contacted to be included within future meetings.

 

One Member suggested a leaflet campaign to ensure tenants with no access to the internet were communicated with.

 

An action put forward by the Strategic Working Group had been to include information within the Council Tax Annual Bill next year. If any resident receives a reminder letter for their Council Tax, a leaflet may be included on this matter.

 

One Member highlighted a website called ‘Entitled To’ which could be accessed via the government’s website. The website can be utilised to establish what benefits an individual could be entitled to.

 

The Head of Revenues, Benefits and Customer Service noted that a link to ‘Entitled To’ could also be found on the Council’s cost of living website.

 

Another Member emphasised the need to dispatch leaflets on this matter. It was suggested to save costs, that leaflets are only sent to households within maps of multiple deprivation indices.

 

Concern was raised on Citizens Advice Bureau in Stamford and the lack of provision and help from Stamford Town Council. It was queried whether any funds could be put towards supporting staff at Citizens Advice Bureau in Stamford.

 

Clarification was sought around figures on appendix one.

 

The Cabinet Member for People & Safer Communities noted that the communication needed to be improved by all organisations to the ‘hard to reach’ residents.

 

Citizens Advice Bureau receive funding from South Kesteven District Council, as well as Lincolnshire County Council. 

 

The Head of Revenues, Benefits and Customer Service clarified that the £262,900 within appendix one was for the £110 per pensioner, 2390 pensioners were in receipt of pension credit. This requirement was from the Department for Work and Pensions who had provided the funding.

 

The Council had supported an additional 622 households, who had received voucher values of either £100 for adult households or £200 for households with children. 

 

One Member queried how the households receiving £100 or £200 should be claimed. 

 

It was confirmed that applications were through referral from Citizens Advice Bureau or internal teams within the Council. The resident would be required to complete an income and expenditure form.

 

One Member highlighted that it would be useful to receive a list of attendees to establish who is part of the Strategic Working Group and the Task Force.

 

ACTION: For the Committee to receive a list of attendees to establish who is part of the Strategic Working Group and the Task Force.

 

It was queried as to whether any representative of the Task Force had knowledge of education, health, locations across the District and equality and diversity.

 

The Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that a representative from Citizens Advice Bureau was part of the Task Force.

 

One Member suggested that a representative from ‘Christians against Poverty’ be included within the Task Force.

 

It was queried as to who was in control of people attending the Task Force and who decides on how many politicians are present.

 

The Cabinet Member for People and Safer Communities highlighted that the internal Strategic Working Group and the Task Force were not based around politics. The Member currently part of the groups was Councillor Annie Mason, the attendance was due to be widened.

 

One Member suggested television adverts or radio broadcasts could be used to reach out to tenants in the colder months.

 

It was proposed, seconded, and AGREED that the Committee:

 

1. Notes the support that has been provided so far to residents and businesses, as detailed in Appendix 1;

2. Supports the establishment of a Strategic Working Group and Taskforce;

3. Notes the actions to be taken as detailed in Appendix 2.