Agenda item

5:40pm to 6:30pm

At the pre-agenda meeting, the Chairs had discussed the increasing concerns about the cost-of-living crisis and impact this was having on residents. The Senior Democratic and Scrutiny Officer presented a report summarising the current support available through government schemes, the council, partner agencies and organisations to address the cost-of-living crisis. The report was to inform a discussion about where support should be targeted, how the availability of support is communicated and to consider what questions scrutiny could ask when looking at future scrutiny topics.

Members reported that they were seeing an increase in cases of overcrowding where multiple people were living in a property as they could not afford the costs associated with moving to a new property including heating. Members also raised concerns that there could be an impact on the objectives in the council plan relating to housing conditions if residents were unable to afford repairs or heat their homes.

The Forum felt that communication with Members was key to ensuring that they could support their residents. It was discussed that a guide for members would be useful which could include details of the support that was available and information on where to go for certain needs such as for food or a meal.

Members suggested a number of ideas for making information available to residents including:

·        Placing a noticeboard containing information near where people make payments and in shop windows for those who do not have internet access.

·        Providing details of where people can get access to online services who do not have online access at home.

·        Make use of community notice boards where these still exist to provide information of the support available.

·        Providing Members with a crib sheet of links to websites.

·        Asking the local press to include a regular section to signpost to advice and support agencies.

·        Explore the re-establishment of community forums to help get information out to residents.

Members discussed how there were different challenges in different areas of the borough. Residents who were in need of support, but who had not previously claimed financial or other support, may be reluctant to do so. There was a need to break down barriers to make it clear that the agencies and organisations are there to help. Members suggested that creating publicity in a format such as “Did you know…” could help to inform residents about support in an approachable way.

As the cost-of-living crisis would give rise to lots of different needs, it was impossible to equip everyone with the level of knowledge needed to help somebody. Members discussed how important it was to make sure people could be signposted to expert assistance relevant to their needs.

Members highlighted an increasing issue of loan sharks in Chesterfield and asked for an information session to be considered as part of the member development programme. In addition, scams were circulating which told people to apply for certain grants and benefits that did not need an application.

Members discussed the impact of the rise in energy bills and ways to reduce energy usage. The current advice involves changing habits, such as using different methods of cooking, however certain sectors of the population, particularly older residents, will struggle more than others to adapt.

The Forum discussed whether a “one stop shop” could be created and suggested hosting a special advice market on one of the market days when more people were in the town centre. This would bring all the different organisations together who offer support and make it more accessible for those who might be reluctant to make contact with an advice agency.

RESOLVED –

That the outcome from the discussion be fed back to the relevant officers and the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing.