Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

That, to support Dorset Council residents who were hardest hit by the current cost-of-living crisis, the proposed activity and funding from council reserves be approved.

Reason for the decision

Extensive support has been provided to Dorset Council residents over recent months to help them cope with the impact of rising prices, particularly affecting energy bills, fuel, food, and housing costs.

The proposed support should be seen as a preventative intervention that aimed to help households, families and individuals avoid falling into deeper crisis which could lead to consequences such as homelessness, debt, mental illness and so on.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services presented a report that set out proposals for various activities and schemes which would provide immediate and medium-term support to Dorset residents hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis.

The proposals, which were driven by data, were costed at £2m in total, to be funded from council reserves. The proposed activities and schemes would supplement the support provided to date by central government and by Dorset Council.  The Portfolio Holder acknowledged that there had been concerns about this piece of work not forming part of the 2023/24 budget proposal but considered it to be a stand-alone item.

Cllr L Beddow proposed the recommendation, and this was seconded by Cllr S Flower.

Non-executive members asked questions and made comments around Food security, energy efficiencies, prioritising community areas, and those most at need, the need to consider support to youth centres, in terms of revenue costs, and rural poverty and the lack of transport facilities in rural areas.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that extensive support had been provided to residents over recent months and the proposals within the report aimed to supplement the support provided to date by central government and Dorset Council.

Cabinet supported the proposals and recommendations within the report.

Decision

That, to support Dorset Council residents who were hardest hit by the current cost-of-living crisis, the proposed activity and funding from council reserves be approved.

Reason for the decision

Extensive support has been provided to Dorset Council residents over recent months to help them cope with the impact of rising prices, particularly affecting energy bills, fuel, food, and housing costs.

The proposed support should be seen as a preventative intervention that aimed to help households, families and individuals avoid falling into deeper crisis which could lead to consequences such as homelessness, debt, mental illness and so on.