Councillor from all sides of the chamber unanimously backed measures to help the Isle of Wight and its residents cope with the cost of living crisis.
Through a motion, submitted by Labour Cllr Richard Quigley, the council will now do more as it is ‘time for action, not words.’
It comes, as according to Cllr Quigley, more than half of Island households will be under food or energy stress this winter.
What the council agreed to do
In it, he asked the authority to:
- Work with partners to provide a coordinated approach to address the emergency
- Set up a dedicated officer working group to address the issues
- Call on Parliament to ensure a right to food is written into law
- Free up money to target help through community groups and make it easier for groups to access any funding
- Ensure all council decisions do not disproportionately impact residents who are struggling the most by considering the socio-economic impact in our assessment of actions we need to take
- Champion a real living wage for all workers
- Commit all 39 councillors to work together on the cost of living emergency for the benefit of the Island and its residents.
Lilley: Supporting the most vulnerable
Cllr Michael Lilley, who had asked the council to declare a cost of living emergency, said it needed to do everything it could to ensure those who were the most vulnerable got the support they need.
Garratt: Hear their voices
Having grown up in poverty, Cllr Andrew Garratt, said he knew how hard it was for a family to experience, but urged the council to speak to those currently in poverty and hear their voices.
He said what happens over the winter and through to next year will be a crisis, and for some, chronic, with them having to live with the effects of this for the rest of their lives.
Bacon: Ensure it’s not just lip service
Cllr Jonathan Bacon agreed with the motion, but said the council must think carefully to bring forward the actions, to properly consider the points, instead of just paying them lip service.
In the last week, the council has launched its cost of living support Website, containing advice, a list of the warm spaces on the Island and how to access food if needed.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
