Lancaster City Council will discuss how to support residents and businesses through the cost of living crisis next week.
On Tuesday (September 13) cabinet members will discuss how the council can help people to stay warm and well this winter in light of increasing fuel bills and food prices.
They will hear that 15.1% of households in the Lancaster district were already in fuel poverty in 2020, the 5th highest in Lancashire and the 67th highest in England.
Businesses have also been impacted and are seeing a double whammy of increased energy costs and reduced income as customers tighten their belts and spend less on products and services.
Cabinet members will be asked to agree to the council taking a leading role in working with other community, voluntary and business sector partners from across the district to develop an emergency plan for communities and businesses.
A series of meetings will be held with key local partners following Cabinet’s decision to discuss details of what the plan will include.
It is expected that the plan will identify where there are significant gaps in existing sources of direct and indirect support and making recommendations on the interventions that may be required.
Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “Everyone in our community is affected by the cost of living crisis and for very many residents it is an emergency. As we saw during the Covid pandemic, the positive leadership role taken by the council and its many partners was an invaluable source of support for residents and businesses.
“By taking a similar approach to the cost of living crisis we can help to support our communities and businesses and reduce the damage that will arise from increased costs of living.
“I have been heartened by the way leaders in local organisations have already come forward to offer to work alongside us. While, it is not the responsibility of the city council to deliver support that should be provided by other parts of national or local Government or the private sector, local leadership is vital in influencing those with whom different responsibilities lie.”
Lancaster City Council has already sent more than 3,840 voucher letters to the value of £90 from its Household Support Fund to pensioners living in the Lancaster district and who are in receipt of Council Tax Support. Vouchers must be redeemed before 30th September.
Anyone not eligible for the Household Support Fund but still struggling to make ends meet may be able to apply for support from the Lancaster District Hardship Fund. Further details on current financial support for households can be found at www.lancaster.gov.uk/community-hub.
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