District Council sets out approach to supporting residents with cost of living

It was agreed that up to £150,000 is available to be used to support residents and businesses and support community partners to deliver their services across the community.

Potential projects include the expansion of food clubs to provide coverage across the whole district and linking with existing and planned initiatives that will include signposting to residents around health, fuel and energy support including proposals for a Fuel Bank scheme to support those on pre-payment gas or electricity meters who may be struggling.

Other potential projects include supporting residents with any outstanding debts and for council tenants, restating the “No Eviction” pledge made during the pandemic, which supports engaged tenants to manage their housing debts.  Other initiatives include upgrading a number of inefficient heating systems in council owned homes.  A funding bid has been submitted to move tenants with oil heating to energy efficient, green energy.

These new proposals will join a long list of support measures that have already been put in place to help residents.  Already the District Council has ensured the Discretionary Housing Payments, Household Support Grants and other available funds are promoted and administered as quickly as possible.

The District Council will undertake further work on the range of potential projects to see what will have the most impact.  Proposals will be brought back to the Council’s Cabinet for approval prior to implementation.

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This winter will be difficult for many of us. The cold temperatures mixed with the increasing cost-of-living will be a huge worry over the next few months.

“As a District Council, we’re doing all we can to support our residents during this challenging time and these new proposals will see us add to our already long list of support measures.

“Most people have their own personal struggles or worries, and nobody should feel embarrassed about asking for support; our teams and our partners are here to help you and offer you a helping hand when you need it most.”

The District Council has already created an online website hub which includes a full list of support options currently available from itself and a number of other partners and charities.  This includes details of organisations providing warm rooms, available grant schemes, helping tenants and residents with debt or income related problems and location of Food Club locations across the district.

The District Council has also processed the Governments energy rebate scheme by promptly providing allocated households with £7.4m to support with paying household energy bills.