Council wants to "wrap arms around the community" during cost of living crisis

Caerphilly Council's headquarters in Tredomen — Caerphilly Council’s headquarters in Tredomen

The chief executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council has said the authority wants to “wrap our arms around the community” during the cost of living crisis.

Cabinet members have agreed to allocate £3 million to a cost of living hardship fund as the council is aiming to get support to people before they reach a breaking point.

What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?

A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.

It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.

Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:

Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces

Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.

_{Last updated October 13, 2023}

It has proposed to increase the number of food banks, reduce the cost of swimming lessons, and open council-owned facilities to provide hot evening meals to families.

It also intends to adopt schemes such as “warm the human not the home” by providing “warm packs” which include thick curtains, draft excluders, and warm clothes.

A report presented to Cabinet on Monday, September 26, stated: “The emphasis on support moving forward is striking the right balance between prevention and crisis support and doing the former based on data – reaching people before they get to or even near crisis point.”

Council running advice and support sessions to help residents with cost of living crisis

The report revealed that 4,000 residents have been “directly supported” by the council in relation to the cost-of-living crisis so far. This includes £158,000 awarded to 45 community-led organisations to support those in fuel poverty.

Additionally, more than two million free meals have been delivered by the council to 7,298 children, and £1.45 million has been handed out to unpaid carers.

At the meeting, Chief executive Christina Harrhy, said the report showed that the council “already does a lot” and that it wants to build on this.

Some additional changes include the appointment of a cost-of-living co-ordinator and the opening of toy banks in the lead-up to Christmas.

A cost-of-living impact assessment will be undertaken to identify if the crisis is having a disproportionate effect on different groups and those already in poverty.

Council wants to “wrap arms around the community” during cost of living crisis

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