Minutes:
This is possibly the last time we will meet as an Executive this year. I want to briefly take the opportunity to set out a clear commitment to everybody that we, Wokingham Borough Council, will not allow any of our residents go hungry or cold during this Covid-blighted winter.
The two initiatives that will be discussed tonight are important in this: they will make sure we target support to children, families, individuals and businesses most in need. We are, however, prepared to go further, indeed, as far as is necessary, to make good on that commitment. Therefore, I can also state tonight that, should it be necessary, we will find more funding, via a properly accounted supplementary estimate, to support those most in need.
We are not starting this from scratch, but the impact of Covid-19 has made this an even more important issue for us. In the interests of brevity, I will not repeat all the ways in which we are tackling poverty and the impact of poverty in the Borough. Some examples will suffice:
· Our various green energy and insulation schemes have brought direct savings of up to 25% on fuel bills and helped alleviate fuel poverty for more the 500 households;
· Our local welfare provision scheme provides emergency help to people in financial crisis;
· Our Council Tax Reduction Scheme helps people on low incomes. I am delighted to say, following a recent consultation, we are working on plans to extend this following due decision-making progress.
Together with the initiatives to be discussed tonight, we will be launching a Kick-Start programme, which will help young people move from Universal Credit to secure jobs, and a digital inclusion project to collect unused IT equipment and recycle it for those people currently unable to access digital technology.
I would briefly update on our ongoing progress on another important issue for us which is equalities.
In recent months we have signed the Race at Work Charter as a commitment to advance equality and tackle racism in the workplace. We have also identified an external facilitator to work with us and the Borough’s BME Forum, in order to help us and the Forum resolve issues to find a consensus for the Borough’s future. We are using the findings from the Tackling Racism Matter survey to draft clear objectives that will go back to the public and stakeholders for discussion before they are agreed.
We will be bringing in the New Year to the Executive and Council the next steps in bringing forward a Poverty Strategy and a revised Equalities Policy.
In all of these vital efforts, we are working with the voluntary sector organisations in a genuine and strengthening partnership that brings mutual benefit to all. We gain from the expertise and community connections the voluntary sector brings and they gain from the financial and other support a local authority can provide. We are also working in close partnership with the health institutions, the CCG, the NHS and GPs and with the blue light institutions, the police, the fire service and the ambulance service. It is a win-win arrangement that is bringing tangible benefits to residents, which we will continue to develop.
Just a last point on a topical note, there are no Arcadia or Debenhams shops in Wokingham Borough; I am sure you will be pleased to hear.