Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 11, 2024

Purpose:

Content: 14.1 The Executive Director Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing a response to the Full Council motion agreed on 4 September 2024, in respect of the Cost of Living crisis.  The report also seeks to address the concerns raised in the petition that was referred from Full Council on 6 November 2024, requesting the Council to Restore the Winter Fuel Allowance.     14.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-       (a) notes the work undertaken to increase Pension Credits and to promote overall uptake of unclaimed benefits, since the Council resolution of 4 September 2024 and the petition to Council from the 6 November 2024;   (b) endorses the proposal to increase targeted support for benefits uptake, building on the learning from the South Local Area Committee Pilot, and to continue this work across the City as part of the Cost-of-Living Partnership, for 12 months;   (c) agrees to evaluate the current Cost of Living Hub model, in partnership with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Sector, to enhance our alignment with Future Sheffield, our Target Operating Model and Customer Experience/Communities Strategies; and   (d) agrees that a report outlining the future approach to Cost of Living Support be presented to Strategy and Resources Committee in the autumn of 2025.     14.3 Reasons for Decision     14.3.1 The recommendations made provide direct responses to the Council Motions on the Cost-of-Living from the Full Council Meeting on 4 September and address the issues raised in the petition referred from Council on 6 November.     14.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     14.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Commission other services to carry out the Pension Credit Campaign and Income maximisation proposal.  Rejected due to lack of any identified budget for any additional activities and the need to mobilise quickly. The Pension Credit Awareness campaign came with little notice from the MHCLG, and no funding was given to Local Authorities to carry it out. It specifically asked the Council to co-ordinate activity. We may be able to consider this as a future option if funding is identified with learning and recommendations from our proposed activity over the next 12 months.      14.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Continue as is. This was rejected as the Cost-of-Living Strategic Group was stood down during the summer and it requested work to be taken place to look at longer term structural inequalities that aligned with the Councils Priorities.    This option risks further normalising emergency relief and further embedding the wrong solution opposed to more upstream preventative service delivery.