Agenda item

This report provided members with an update on the main external pressures facing the council, businesses, residents, and communities over the previous month.

The cost-of-living crisis continued, with rising interest rates announced by the Bank of England at the end of May and the Office for National Statistics reporting a continued rise in food and non-alcoholic drinks prices for April.

In Newport, there were high pressures on housing and homelessness services in the city, caused by a range of factors including the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on household finances, high rents within the private rented sectors, and challenges in developing new housing projects.

The Leader of the Council and Chair of OneNewport, continued to advocate for partnership working as being vital in supporting residents and businesses.

The Leader was delighted to welcome businesses to Newport very recently as part of the place making programme, to consider some of the challenges faced.

The report provided another opportunity for Cabinet Colleagues to urge residents who may be experiencing difficulties to contact the council for information and signposting on the advice and support available; this can be done in person, by phone or by visiting support and advice pages on the Council’s website.

The report provided information on how officers and partners were working directly with communities to facilitate and promote local and national support.

Officers are working closely with the Department of Work and Pensions in promoting accurate information to families and individuals including awareness of the Cost-of-Living Stakeholder toolkit.

Following the Cost-of-Living event at the Riverfront, the Council is working with partners to discuss how this could be held in wider areas across the city and there is a dedicated email address for residents to email any queries and be signposted to the best organisation for support. 

In addition, Multiply Funding was confirmed, through the Shared Prosperity Fund to support residents to improve their levels of numeracy, focusing on financial inclusion.

The Council is also recruiting a specific team within the housing service to help prevent homelessness and to ensure that people had the financial skills and resilience to move away from homelessness in the long term.

Comments of Cabinet Members:

§  Councillor Harvey said she had attended a strategic planning meeting earlier that day in relation to homelessness and the cost-of-living crisis and wanted to thank staff involved for how hard they work. Councillor Harvey also thanked the Leader for her support.

§  The Leader thanked Councillor Harvey for her working driving forward this agenda within the authority.

§  Councillor Marshall thanked community connectors and staff within the council who were able to help those who had concerns and worries about the future. Councillor Marshall added that those who were in difficulty, should seek the guidance and support of the Council and not be afraid to reach out to council staff for support and information.

§  Councillor Clarke referred to the increase in mortgage rates and data from the Bank of England, which suggested homeowners had an average increase of £500 in last 12 months to their monthly bills, and there was also an increase in the use of food banks. Councillor Clarke reiterated the comments of his colleagues advising that those struggling to cope should contact the Council for support.

§  Councillor Hughes mentioned that Peter Hill was retiring as manager of Raven House and acknowledged his work as volunteer then manager. Councillor Hughes remarked that Raven House Trust is one of the largest food charities in Newport, and that this was an example of how volunteering could lead to employment with a high level of personal satisfaction.  Councillor Hughes wished Peter all the best in his retirement and wished Peter’s successor the very best in continuing the important work.

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.