Arun District Council could spend £55,000 on hiring a 'cost of living co-ordinator'

The council stopped short of declaring a cost of living emergency last month after a motion put forward by Lib Dem councillors was deemed ‘too political’.

Instead, councillors agreed to discuss the issues at an extraordinary housing and wellbeing committee meeting due to be held today (November 3). A £180,000 support package could be approved which would be funded from interest on balances in 2022/23

More than half would go towards two new members of staff – £40,000 for an energy efficiency home adviser and £55,000 for a cost-of-living co-ordinator (salary between £33,500 and £36,370 in addition to 'on costs').

The adviser could carry out home visits for council tenants and vulnerable residents to help them with ‘practical energy efficiency measures’, while the cost of living co-ordinator would work with the council and other organisations on a package of measures.

Up to £40,000 could be given to Citizens’ Advice to provide energy advice, with small grants given to community and voluntary organisations to create ‘warm banks’ and provide refreshments.

The council also intends to grant £20,000 to local food banks.

Arun has the greatest number of deprived areas in West Sussex and some are among the top ten per cent nationally.

A report before the committee said rising inflation and energy costs mean that ‘those who previously may have been able to absorb minor additional household expenditures now face increasing pressures’, meaning a ‘much larger and wider proportion of the population’ will be affected.