Agenda item

6.1      Cat Arnold and Laurie Brenan were in attendance to discuss the cost-of-living crisis. Cat Arnold stated the cost-of-living crisis was expected to worsen into winter. She stated they had put together a draft action plan addressing issues such as accessing emergency support. She said the intention was to bring Sheffield partners together to support the health of individuals. Laurie Brenan said that considerable learning on reducing health inequalities had taken place following COVID-19. He stated all inflation indicators suggested the winter would be even more challenging.

6.2      Councillor Angela Argenzio asked whether the Council was capitalising on the community spirit demonstrated throughout COVID-19, in which neighbours supported one another.

6.3      Councillor Mick Rooney asked whether there was a policy to not evict individuals struggling to pay rent, and to not switch off energy supplies to those struggling to make bill payments. Greg Fell stated that social landlords tended to try to not evict those who had not made rent payments. Regarding energy, he stated there was not a policy, but he felt it could be led by the Government and amplified locally within Sheffield.

6.4      Kathryn Robertshaw stated she was happy to be a conduit to ensure collaboration with Sheffield partners.

6.5      David Warwicker said that factors such as the cost of living, cost of working, cost of fuel and cost of being a patient were important to note. He said he felt these issues would widen healthy inequality.

6.6      Councillor Johnson said that energy companies did have funds set aside for supporting the most vulnerable people. He added that some people in financial hardship would find it easier to apply for those funds. He said that avoiding a crisis involved removing inequalities.

6.7      Greg Fell thanked the Sheffield Citizens Advise Bureau for their work and added that their funding was being reduced. He encouraged institutions in Sheffield who had the ability to support the group to do so.

6.8      Lucy Davies stated that in terms of the cost of being a patient, there was a formula which worked out the price of care for those most in need and aimed to support them.

6.9      AGREED: That the Board noted the scale and nature of the cost-of-living crisis and the current and planned activity to respond to it.

6.10    AGREED: That the Board consider the role of statutory services in resourcing voluntary sector organisations that are supporting Sheffielders who are struggling with the cost of living.