Decision details

The Director of Finance and Digital Services provided the Cabinet with details of a local Supplementary (Discretionary) Cost of Living Support Scheme for consideration.

The Leader thanked the Director for the report and noted that the £75 payment would be distributed to approximately 22,000 families; and 5,800 Local Authority employees would be in receipt of the £125. The Leader advised that this would be in addition to approximately 40,000 payments made by the Local Authority through the Welsh Government Winter Fuel Support scheme. The scheme had since been widened to include further categories.

The Leader was pleased to note that the support was focused on families with children and noted that it would be difficult to administrate the funding to families with children not in school, due to records.

The Leader emphasised the importance of the Third Sector groups and how invaluable the foodbanks are for some of the community. The Leader advised that any significant funding would need to come from UK Government and hoped there would be an announcement in the near future regarding support in respect of the Energy Crisis and the Cost-of-Living Crisis.

The Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity acknowledged the struggles of the residents in RCT and noted that the challenges are most acute for families, and as such was pleased to note that specific report was being directed to them; and, to some of the lowest paid roles within the Local Authority.

The Cabinet Member echoed the comments of the Leader and urged the UK government to follow in support of the most vulnerable.

(Note: Having previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of this item, the Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language left the meeting whilst this item was discussed and voted upon.)

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note and agree the detail of the proposed Local Cost of Living Support - Supplementary (Discretionary) Scheme; and

2.    To note and agree the implementation arrangements and delegation to the Director of Finance and Digital Services as detailed at section 10.