Minutes:
The Council has developed a dedicated Cost of Living page on its website provided a wealth of advice, support, and information to residents of the Borough. This page also provides details of the Warm Hubs that are operating in the Borough, and information for businesses that are also affected by the Cost of Living Crisis.
The Council has allocated £110k in their Discretionary Housing Payment budget to support households during the Cost of Living Crisis.
People already in receipt of Council Tax support will receive an extra £25.00 off of their bill.
Household Support Fund – Operated by LCC and currently remains open.
Dedicated Financial Inclusion Officer, Chetna Solanki-Mistry, is available to be contacted to discuss / apply for grants that are available through OWBC, LCC, or other external sources the Council is aware of.
Cllr. Kaufman queried how busy Helping Hands have been in relation to residents approaching them for support with the Cost of Living Crisis. It was noted by N Swan that many of these individuals are not aware of the support available to them, and many note a perceived stigma for asking for help with money, food parcels, etc. Helping Hands are represented at the local food banks and are able to engage with residents there successfully. Helping Hands as a service are promoted via a website, social media, posters, flyers, and attendance at various clubs and activities across the Borough.
Helping Hands were directly thanked for their linked in approach to the food banks, making it easier for residents to seek advice and support from the service.
Oadby Food Bank has had to limit its remit to Oadby residents only due to increased demand from outside of the Borough. They are working in tandem with other foodbanks however to signpost individuals to relevant support within their own area, and to avoid overlapping with other services. Roughly ¼ of food bank attendees in Oadby attending after traditional working hours, highlighting an increase in employed individuals who require food parcels. 37 adults, 42 children have been supported by the food bank. The majority of Oadby Food Banks funding and food comes from donations from the public, although they also have a paid subscription to FairShare who provide food donated directly by supermarkets including fresh fruit and veg. The food bank has also received grant funding.
The Chair queried the community make-up that attends the food banks, and access Helping Hands, who both noted that the background of individuals is very mixed. Helping Hands provides a breakdown of this information to the Council’s SLT on a regular basis. South Wigston residents make up roughly 40% of those approaching Helping Hands, but this percentage is decreasing as people from other areas in the Borough approach the service.
Individuals can self-refer to the Food Bank or Helping Hands, or are referred to them by other agencies where appropriate.
Helping Hands note a very good relationship with the Council’s Housing Team and the Financial Inclusion Officer.
A barrier to support was identified as a ‘digital necessity’ to access support via the internet, either through a computer or smart phone, which has been known to exclude some elderly individuals who are perhaps some of the most in need with support. LCC’s Household Support Fund has been noted as an example of this, requiring several steps to be completed online in order to access the fuel or food vouchers that are available through the scheme. Helping Hands offer face to face ‘clinics’ for individuals to support with this.
A number of Helping Hands volunteers have been trained to undertake benefit checks which may highlight help and support available to individuals who could claim them but aren’t.