This Council notes:
? The basic cost of living continues to rise, and despite the recently announced cap on household energy prices, there remains around an £800 gap on average between the rise in the cost of living and the support packages for families on means tested benefits. [Joseph Rowntree Foundation]
? The high rate of inflation in the UK, predicted by the Bank of England to rise to 11 per cent this winter. [forbes.com]
? These factors are causing a Cost of Living Emergency and resulting in a significant fall in people’s incomes, as pay growth and benefit uprating fails to keep pace with the increase in the cost of essential items.
? Food poverty is already a reality for at least 4.7 million adults in the UK [https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/food_poverty], and the Cost of Living Emergency will greatly exacerbate this problem.
? Those on the lowest incomes will be hardest hit by inflation and the increase in energy bills, and the support offered to them by Government so far is completely inadequate to bridge the cost of living gap. [https://jpit.uk/enoughtolive]
? The Cost of Living Emergency will also have a damaging impact on local businesses, the self-employed, and valued employers in Stroud District, who will require additional financial support from Government to cover their basic costs.
? Without urgent government intervention there will be a significant increase in the number of households who experience food poverty and fuel poverty in Stroud District this winter, leading to increased health problems; a rise in mental health issues and emergencies; decreased quality of life; and an exacerbation of associated social and emotional issues.
? The SDC Council officers, Citizens Advice and community hubs are already working hard to alleviate the pressure and desperation. But they should not be bearing the responsibility of what should be statutory support. The National Government needs to outline a plan and communicate it to local authorities as quickly as possible.
This Council believes that:
? No one in the Stroud District should go hungry.
? None of our residents should have to choose between food or warmth, or not be able to have either.
This Council therefore resolves to:
? Declare a ‘Cost of Living Emergency.’
? Request the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, and Stroud District MPs, to call for:
? Immediate financial support to help people to manage the Cost of Living Emergency, with most support provided to low income households, and
? A fully funded nationwide commitment to improve the energy efficiency of homes (and consequently reduce energy bills), noting that this initiative is also required to deliver on the Government’s own commitment to net zero carbon by 2050.
? Support The Great Homes Upgrade campaign, which is calling on the Government to upgrade 19 million homes by 2030 to make sure that everyone can have a well-insulated home, heated by clean, green energy. [www.greathomesupgrade.org]
? Call on the National Government to produce and make public a clear plan to deal with the crisis and alleviate the burden on our residents and local businesses. Emergency funding needs to be forthcoming and distributed in a way that allows District Councils like ours to be able to process it in the most effective way for our residents.
Minutes:
Councillor Aldam presented the Motion to show the residents and businesses of the Stroud District that their elected Councillors care about what matters to them. She stated that it was an international crisis and the government needed to step up so that more support could be provided. She highlighted some key information including:
· Those aged between 30 and 50 were dying in greater numbers.
· NHS was facing a crippling winter.
· The BBC reported that one schools energy bills in South Gloucestershire could rise by up to 414% in December 2023.
· Teachers were experiencing burn out and were coming closer to industrial action.
· Gloucestershire Community Foundation found that total bills were higher than income for the poorer 60% of the country.
· 78% of workers were paid below the real living wage.
· 1 in 7 older person would go without heating that winter.
She asked the council to join her in declaring an emergency and calling on their colleagues in central government to make a clear plan to help Stroud residents and businesses navigate the coming uncertainties.
Councillor Jockel commended the motion and stated that the event threatened serious damage to human welfare and was therefore the definition of an emergency as per the civil contingencies act 2004.
Councillor James drew on his personal experiences as a teacher and stated that he had seen more children coming to school hungry and he had witnessed teachers bringing in food for children. He stated that they needed to support people better and more needed to be done.
Councillor Edmunds echoed the comments made by Councillor James and stated that 42% of people with disabilities were experiencing rises in the cost of living and were having to reduce spending on food and essentials. He identified that the long term solutions for the cost of living crisis overlapped with the climate crisis.
Councillor Housden stated that there was not one council that could deal with all of the problems but that cross council work was essential.
Councillor Cornell stated that they needed to see an uplift to benefits and that she was glad to see they would be writing to the government as they needed to take action.
Councillor Bennett was pleased to hear support for the motion across the Chamber.
On being put to the Vote the Motion was carried unanimously.
RESOLVED:
To note
· The basic cost of living continues to rise, and despite the recently announced cap on household energy prices, there remains around an £800 gap on average between the rise in the cost of living and the support packages for families on means tested benefits. [Joseph Rowntree Foundation]
· The high rate of inflation in the UK, predicted by the Bank of England to rise to 11 per cent this winter. [forbes.com]
· These factors are causing a Cost of Living Emergency and resulting in a significant fall in people’s incomes, as pay growth and benefit uprating fails to keep pace with the increase in the cost of essential items.
· Food poverty is already a reality for at least 4.7 million adults in the UK [https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/food_poverty], and the Cost of Living Emergency will greatly exacerbate this problem.
· Those on the lowest incomes will be hardest hit by inflation and the increase in energy bills, and the support offered to them by Government so far is completely inadequate to bridge the cost of living gap. [https://jpit.uk/enoughtolive]
· The Cost of Living Emergency will also have a damaging impact on local businesses, the self-employed, and valued employers in Stroud District, who will require additional financial support from Government to cover their basic costs.
· Without urgent government intervention there will be a significant increase in the number of households who experience food poverty and fuel poverty in Stroud District this winter, leading to increased health problems; a rise in mental health issues and emergencies; decreased quality of life; and an exacerbation of associated social and emotional issues.
· The SDC Council officers, Citizens Advice and community hubs are already working hard to alleviate the pressure and desperation. But they should not be bearing the responsibility of what should be statutory support. The National Government needs to outline a plan and communicate it to local authorities as quickly as possible.
This Council believes that:
· No one in the Stroud District should go hungry.
· None of our residents should have to choose between food or warmth, or not be able to have either.
This Council therefore resolves to:
· Declare a ‘Cost of Living Emergency.’
· Request the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, and Stroud District MPs, to call for:
· Immediate financial support to help people to manage the Cost of Living Emergency, with most support provided to low income households, and
· A fully funded nationwide commitment to improve the energy efficiency of homes (and consequently reduce energy bills), noting that this initiative is also required to deliver on the Government’s own commitment to net zero carbon by 2050.
· Support The Great Homes Upgrade campaign, which is calling on the Government to upgrade 19 million homes by 2030 to make sure that everyone can have a well-insulated home, heated by clean, green energy. [www.greathomesupgrade.org]
· Call on the National Government to produce and make public a clear plan to deal with the crisis and alleviate the burden on our residents and local businesses. Emergency funding needs to be forthcoming and distributed in a way that allows District Councils like ours to be able to process it in the most effective way for our residents.