Agenda item

The Leader presented the March update for Members on the pressures being faced by Newport residents, communities, and services.

The cost-of-living crisis continued to be the main area of concern for residents, the council, and communities and the report provided information the wider impact it was having along with examples of collaborative advice, guidance and support available across the city.

As in previous Cabinet meetings, the Leader urged residents who were experiencing difficulties to contact the council for information and signposting on the advice and support available to help you with household finances.

As indicated in the report, inflationary and cost of living pressures were continuing to persist and costs in energy, food and other living costs continued to impact on household budgets.

There were also reports of supply chain issues with fresh produce and suppliers reporting increasing energy bills, and poor weather affecting crops which was having both a direct impact on residents and the availability of produce for dissemination through food banks.

The impact of the cost-of-living crisis was also affecting how we welcomed people seeking sanctuary, for example, with noticed reductions in offers for accommodation on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The nature of these pressures facing residents, communities and services required a collaborative approach to support, this was not something the council could do alone.

As Chair of the One Newport partnership, it was clear how offices and partner organisations were working together to provide as much advice, support, and guidance as possible.

The Council’s collaboration with GAVO continued to support Community Food Organisations in Newport and the facilitation and promotion of warm centres were central to helping residents to eat well, keep warm and provided an opportunity for people to get together and find out about other help available. Such as the Money Guiders Programme aimed at helping residents to maximise income and reduce debt.

Comments of Cabinet Members:

§  Councillor Harvey thanked officer teams and GAVO for their hard work.  Operation overview for council and GAVO showed that in December 2022 to November 2023 that 149 sessions were held in warm spaces and that there were 1,160 attendees, which was startling.  It was easy for things to spiral for residents.  Continuing to work and do what we could do to support residents. Newport City Council delivered 50 sessions and 152 people came to that with north, east, west, and central hub, some community centres and GAVO delivered 99 sessions where over 1,000 people attended.  This was done very quickly by Newport City Council and GAVO, therefore the Councillor for Community Wellbeing gave her heartfelt thanks to those who were involved.

§  Councillor Batrouni mentioned the effects of the cost of living for Newport residents and noted the report.

§  Councillor Davies mentioned that children from low-income families faced practical day to day challenges with clothing, equipment, accessing food and transport.  31% lived in poverty with insufficient resources for food and quality of life. Newport had risen to the challenge with PGT funding, food banks and uniform provision.  Helping to secure the human rights of people was a moral duty and purpose especially looking after children.  The Cabinet Member for Education and Early years met with Head Teachers on Monday and launched an anti-poverty campaign in line with the wellbeing objectives to improve outcomes for children in poverty.

§  Councillor Clarke cabinet was speaking from the heart and thanked volunteers from Malpas for their help. The Leader echoed Councillor Clarke’s comments and praised the support from kind and generous people that gave their time.

§  Councillor Forsey referred to the cost-of-living sessions and thanked colleagues and officers for their support.  Some help was available, as well as some benefits but was under claimed but because of the cost-of-living sessions residents claimed for things that they were not aware of, and Councillor Forsey therefore encouraged residents to get in touch with the Council for advice, support, and help.

Decision

Cabinet considered the contents of the report on the Council’s activity to respond to the external factors on Newport’s communities, businesses, and council services.