Agenda item

The final report on the agenda presented by the Leader was the monthly report providing members with an update on the main external pressures facing the council, businesses, residents, and communities.

The cost-of-living crisis remained one of the main areas of concern for residents, businesses, and services.  For the second month, the UK’s inflation rate in May was 8.7% with prices for food and non-alcoholic drinks rising between April and May.

Within the report there was a link to a Citizens Advice survey finding as many as one million people had their broadband cut off in the last year as the cost-of-living crisis left them unable to afford internet access. The impact as a result of this was quite significant in terms of accessing the support that families needed.

The Leader of the Council and Chair of OneNewport, continued to advocate for partnership working as being vital in supporting residents and businesses and the Leader urged residents experiencing difficulties, to contact the council for information and signposting on the advice and support available, either in person, by phone or by visiting the support and advice pages on the website.

The report provided information on how officers from across the council and its partnership agencies continued to work together to coordinate and provide residents with support, advice, and guidance.

Cost of Living events were taking place across the city to provide opportunities for residents to access free help, support, and advice on managing debt and maximising income.

From September 2023, Newport schools would have implemented the Welsh Government’s Universal Primary Free School Meals across Key Stage 2, meaning that all primary aged pupils would be able to benefit from this initiative.

As part of the Council’s commitment to the Ukrainian communities, with the planned closure of the super sponsor scheme, officers were focused on developing housing initiatives to meet demand.  Cabinet colleagues were encouraged to promote the opportunity for residents across Newport to come forward as ‘hosts’.

Comments of Cabinet Members:

§  Councillor Harvey agreed that the cost-of-living crisis was horrendous, and was concerned that people were turning to credit cards and pay day loans when there is other help available. Councillor Harvey encouraged people to touch base with their local councillor as well as highlighting the community events put on by the Council to help families.  Families could also ask for a food parcels for the extra support. Councillor Harvey urged residents not to fall into the trap of extra debt but to contact the council who would provide advice regarding support available.

§  Councillor Marshall mentioned that it was positive to see a number of events taking place within Newport from support for carers to an event at Tesco, Cardiff Road.  Councillor Marshall also mentioned that there was also a community connectors café at the Riverfront, where carers could receive help and advice, and this went a long way to help people become independent.

§  Councillor Davies focussed on Newport education’s priority of tackling all aspects of poverty. There was universal free school meal provision, which was being rolled out to all schools at the start of Autumn Term.  The Council was ahead of Welsh Government’s expectations and Councillor Davies wanted to thank officers who worked incredibly hard to ensure that this would happen.  Councillor Davies reflected that the uptake of children wanting Free School Meals at foundation phase had dramatically increased.  Councillor Davies went on to say that the Council was also supporting children in poverty in schools by developing a strategy to tackling poverty, which was progressing and would continue to develop over the next three years as part of the service plan.  Councillor Davies reflected that teachers had welcomed this level of commitment and support and this was also receiving support from Children in Wales.  A partnership was recently developed with the Bank of England, bringing financial awareness into the curriculum, as well as working with other financial partners in the future. A newsletter for all Head Teachers and Governors was also being distributed to raise awareness of the key priorities in relation to tackling poverty.

§  Councillor Batrouni added that it was wonderful to hear all the amazing efforts of Cabinet colleagues and Council and hoped that the pressures faced by the Council and residents would be addressed as a matter of priority.

Decision:

That 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.