Decision details

Further to Minute No. 25, 27^th July 2022, the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment submitted a report providing an updated position on the Council’s response to the cost-of-living situation in Leeds which built upon the report submitted to the Board in July 2022, and which detailed the actions being taken in response to new developments, both local and national, since the consideration of that previous report.

The Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education introduced the report in the absence of the Executive Member for Communities. In doing so, the significant changes which had been experienced since the previously submitted report in July were highlighted, together with the key actions taken to mitigate against the impact of the cost of living issues being experienced.  The scale of the challenges being faced and the levels of demand for relevant services being experienced across the city were also highlighted.  Finally, it was brought to the Board’s attention by the Executive Member that due to recent changes in Government policy, sections 10 and 17 of the submitted report were no longer up to date.

In considering issues arising from the report, Members discussed the causes of the current financial challenges being experienced in the UK, whilst concerns were raised regarding the scale of the significant financial difficulties being faced in communities across Leeds. The Board also discussed the Government’s current position regarding the Energy Price Guarantee, with a Member highlighting the importance of ensuring that communities were signposted to the support available to them.

The Board highlighted how communities were supporting each other in response to the challenges being faced, with emphasis being placed upon the need to ensure that where such community initiatives were being delivered, the Council looked to play a supportive role.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That, subject to acknowledging that sections 10 and 17 of the submitted report were no longer up to date (as referenced above) due to recent changes in Government policy, the contents of the submitted report, be noted, and that the approach being adopted, as detailed, be endorsed;

(b)  That it be noted that the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment will be responsible for overseeing and implementing any actions arising from the submitted report.