Issue - meetings

The Director of Customer & Communities to present a report which provides an overview of the current position regarding the national cost of living crisis locally in York, focusing on the impact on the Council, programmes being undertaken and key activities to tackle the impacts of the crisis, and including an update on the citywide York Cost of Living Summit held on 31 October 2022.

Resolved:  That the following be noted:

a)    The context and overview of current impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis in York;

b)    The actions being undertaken by the council and its partners in response;

c)    The key activities and outputs from the Cost of Living Summit and next steps; and

d)    The challenges facing local government in setting budgets for 2023/24.

Reason:     To ensure Members have full information on the wide impacts of the crisis, both long and short term, and what activity is being undertaken to understand challenges and provide residents with practical support, information, advice and guidance across all city partnerships.

The Director of Customer & Communities presented a report which provided an overview of the current position locally in York regarding the national cost of living crisis and its effect on the council, residents, businesses, and partners such as Health and the voluntary sector. 

The report focused on local plans, council programmes, and key activities being undertaken to tackle the impacts of the crisis, and included an update on the citywide York Cost of Living Summit hosted by the council and the University of York on 31 October 2022.  This information was set within the context of the additional pressures being put on public sector services, with the current situation following years of cuts in central government funding.

Members commented on the effects of the crisis, in particular on the most disadvantaged households on the city, and the need to work in partnership to target resources to best effect.

Resolved:  That the following be noted:

a)    The context and overview of current impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis in York;

b)    The actions being undertaken by the council and its partners in response;

c)    The key activities and outputs from the Cost of Living Summit and next steps; and

d)    The challenges facing local government in setting budgets for 2023/24.

Reason:     To ensure Members have full information on the wide impacts of the crisis, both long and short term, and what activity is being undertaken to understand challenges and provide residents with practical support, information, advice and guidance across all city partnerships.