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The Interim Chief Operating Officer submitted a report a copy of which had been circulated to each Member.
Cabinet received a presentation from Michelle Tarbun, Group Manager, Wellbeing, Prevention and Communities, on the support being provided to communities and residents in response to the cost of living crisis. This set out the activity that had been taken so far and set out the new approach:-
• Immediate help for those suffering financial hardship/crisis intervention.
• Longer term support for those worried about increasing costs.
• Support in the community (Including warm welcoming spaces).
The scale of the help provided so far to residents was highlighted. Since April 2022 support had been provided to 317 residents to help with housing costs, and 66 residents had received help with Council tax costs. From September more detailed data was being collected and this showed that 129 residents had been referred to the Financial and Employment Support Service. Colchester Borough Homes financial inclusion caseloads were not yet showing significant trends but there was a clear trend of increasing Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) claims which indicated an increase in residents experiencing financial hardship.
A wide range of actions were underway to address these issues. These included plans for increased support through the LCTS scheme for 2023/24, improvements to the Council website to make it more personal and easier to navigate and continued outreach through tools such as leaflets and Facebook videos. In addition, the Council would become a referral partner for the Money and Pensions Service, which would make it easier to provide support for residents in debt, liaison with the University of Essex to use their expertise in data collection and analysis and an internal restructure combining the Financial and Employment Support with the Communities Team which would help provide a more coordinated approach.
Councillor Cory, Portfolio Holder for Resources, thanked the Group Manager for the work undertaken by her team and highlighted the support that had been provided to communities by the Council through the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis. The crisis was likely to worsen in view of recent fiscal announcements. 99.4% of council tax rebates had now been paid, and all those in the greatest need had received their rebate. A consultation was underway on a more generous LCTS for 20023/24. The restructure of the relevant teams and the partnership with the Money and Pensions Service enabled the teams to give much more detailed advice to residents at an early stage. The mapping of warmer places was welcomed. Good communication on the support available was essential and the importance of improvements to the website and the concept of pop-up outreach events was stressed.
In discussion, Cabinet members stressed their support for the work undertaken to support residents and communities through the cost of living crisis. It was suggested that although Colchester Borough Homes financial inclusion caseloads may not be increasing significantly, this was because Housing Officers were trained to recognise these issues and were intervening at an early stage. Whilst the mapping of warm welcoming spaces was welcome it needed to be borne in mind that these venues would be facing increased energy costs themselves. It was suggested that there would be value in a dissemination event for this sector organisations for them to provide information about the help and support that they provided. Clarification was also sought about Discretionary Housing Payments, which seemed to be decreasing since April and further information would be provided.
In a response to a question in respect of access to improved data, the Group Manager explained that new Experion software would provide data down to post code level which would allow support to be better targeted.
In terms of the priority on City Status and strengthening Colchester’s heritage and cultural offer, Councillor Cox, Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture, explained that preparations for City Status were proceeding apace and a three pronged approach was being taken, . The three strands were civic events around the award of City Status, a heritage strategy of events for the year following the award of City Status and a longer term Place Making theme. Several heritage events were being planned and linked to existing events in the calendar.
Councillor Nissen, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, provided an update on the priority on improving the quality of life for residents. This included:-
• Working with stakeholders to plan tree planting across the borough. There would be better engagement with communities and ward councillors on the issue.
• Obtaining funding for the planting of over 120 street tees.
• There would a focus on the naturalisation of sites, which would include Cymbeline Meadows becoming a nature reserve under the Woodland and Biodiversity Project.
• Work was underway with the University to open up waterways.
• A community clear air project on North Hill.
• Attendance at a national air quality conference.
In respect of the priority relating to tackling climate change and reducing litter and graffiti, Councillor Nissen, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, and Councillor Goss, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Waste, provided an update on the work undertaken which included:-
• Looking at ways to protect the borough’s coastline.
• Increased education programmes for residents to help them make better ecological choices.
• The Climate Emergency Action Plan was being reviewed to update existing actions and add additional actions, including a new bike shelter at the Shrub End depot.
• Representatives form partners would be attending the COP 27 conference in Egypt.
• There had been a 4.3% decrease in emissions from pre-Covid levels.
• The Rowan House decarbonization project had progressed well and Rowan House should reopen in December
• A dedicated graffiti team had been established which meant response times to reports of graffiti had reduced.
• The possibility of recharging the costs of cleaning graffiti from public utilities to the relevant company or authority was being explored.
• Funding had been obtained from Keep Britain Tidy for an additional vehicle to support the cleaning of gum from footways.
• Monthly Days of Action had been reinstated.
Councillor J. Young Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, provided an update on the work undertaken on the priority relating to Affordable Housing and Physical and Digital Infrastructure as follows:-
• The need to be creative on the delivery of affordable housing was stressed. The 100 Homes project had been very successful and had proved a quicker way of delivering affordable housing than through section 106 contributions.
• The Council was working with Winslee Charity on a project that would deliver an increased number of almshouses.
• Garage sites had provided good quality sustainable housing, which would also act as a lever to make other larger housing units available. The housing on garage sites could be used as a show case for the quality of build expected by private developers.
Councillor King, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy highlighted that engagement had now commenced on the new Strategic Plan. It was important to engage with Councillors across the Council and the consultation included a specific survey for Councillors. The key issue to address was how far the strategic priorities might need to change and how that change could be managed in a sustainable way. Councillor Fox, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder or Local Economy and Transformation, stressed the opportunity that City Status provided to consider the future of Colchester and how it might look in ten years’ time, and what residents might want and need. He welcomed the input of the Policy Panel on this issue.
RESOLVED that the progress against the Key Priorities to deliver the Cabinet’s vision be noted.
REASONS
To ensure satisfactory delivery of Cabinet’s vision and key priorities this municipal year.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
No alternative options were presented to Cabinet.