District Council pledges to continue with Cost-of-Living support for residents in Newark and Sherwood

As such, updated proposals were put to the District Council’s Cabinet which will see the ‘No Eviction Pledge’ and the ‘Rent Free Week’ for some working tenants continue into the new financial year. There are also many new offers of help being offered to residents and families who may be struggling as the Cost-of-Living crisis continues.

Other schemes proposed under the new strategy include a new ‘Home Release Scheme’ which will see council tenants offered incentives to downsize where their home is currently under occupied. As well as reducing running costs for those tenants, it is hoped to free up larger family homes for those tenants who need them.

There will also be support through a school uniform scheme, the Low-Cost Healthy Food Project, the offer of household and hygiene packs through food clubs and, working with Sherwood and Newark Citizens Advice, energy vouchers to tie in with their existing fuel bank scheme which will be available to households in need next winter.

It isn’t only residents being offered help. Local businesses and retailers will be supported through the creation of a Town Centre Gift Card for local independent retailers and a start-up grant for new market traders in Newark and Southwell.

In relation to these measures, Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council stated, “It may not be in the headlines every day, but we are really aware of the struggles many of our residents face on a day to day basis. Interest rates are still higher than they were and whilst inflation has gone down overall, prices are still high. We’ve seen several successful projects across the district, from cookery classes to help make the most of food on a budget to giving working council tenants who need it a week’s free rent.

“Encouraging Council Tenants, who live in houses larger than they need, to downsize is a great initiative. It benefits both the tenants themselves, by cutting energy bills, and other families who may need a larger property.”

The updated Cost-of-Living Plan 2024/25 was presented and approved by Cabinet on 20 February.