Issue - meetings

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Christine Robinson

(Non-key decision):

(1) To note the initiatives undertaken to date in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

(2) To agree that the coordination of cost-of-living responses and dedicated role continue for a further year.

(3) To agree a one-off grant of £20,000 for Lewes District Citizens Advice to support the continuation of specialist UC advice.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, updating Cabinet on work delivered by the Council in supporting residents through the Cost-of-Living crisis, with proposals to continue and build on key work-streams and partnerships.

Thanks were expressed to the Cost-of-Living Project Officer, for their work undertaken in the role thus far. Section 4.1 of the report detailed several imminent areas of work that had already been identified.

Cabinet welcomed the imminent implementation of the Policy and Practice dashboard (also referred to as LIFT). The software enabled local authorities to identify households at risk of debt and mounting payments, as well as maximising their income and preventing arrears.

Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 7 September 2023 considered the report and were supportive of the officer recommendations in full. Councillor Brett, Chair of PPAC was in attendance to present PPAC’s discussion and questions raised at that meeting.

Resolved (Non-key decision):

(1) To note the initiatives undertaken to date in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

(2) To agree that the coordination of cost-of-living responses and dedicated role continue for a further year.

(3) To agree a one-off grant of £20,000 for Lewes District Citizens Advice to support the continuation of specialist UC advice.

Reason for decisions:

To enable the Council, in partnership with local organisations, to continue an effective and holistic cost-of-living response, helping residents as the crisis continues to impact negatively on households.