Newark and Sherwood District Council agrees new schemes to help residents and businesses during the cost-of-living crisis

A council has said it is committed to doing all it can to support residents and businesses with the rising cost of living, while still maintaining all of its vital services.

Updated proposals were put to Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Cabinet which will see the ‘No Eviction Pledge’ and the ‘Rent Free Week’ for some working tenants continue into the new financial year.

There were also many new schemes proposed to help residents and families who may be struggling as the cost-of-living crisis continues.

These include a new ‘Home Release Scheme’ which will see council tenants offered incentives to downsize where their home is currently under occupied.

As well as reducing running costs for those tenants, it is hoped to free up larger family homes for those tenants who need them.

There will also be support through a school uniform scheme, the Low-Cost Healthy Food Project, the offer of household and hygiene packs through food clubs and, working with Sherwood and Newark Citizens Advice, energy vouchers to tie in with their existing fuel bank scheme which will be available to households in need next winter.

The district’s businesses and retailers will also be supported through the creation of a Town Centre Gift Card for independent retailers, and a start-up grant for new market traders in Newark and Southwell.

In relation to these measures, Paul Peacock, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council stated: “It may not be in the headlines every day, but we are really aware of the struggles many of our residents face on a day to day basis.

“Interest rates are still higher than they were and whilst inflation has gone down overall, prices are still high.

“We’ve seen several successful projects across the district, from cookery classes to help make the most of food on a budget to giving working council tenants who need it a week’s free rent.

“Encouraging council tenants, who live in houses larger than they need, to downsize is a great initiative.

“It benefits both the tenants themselves, by cutting energy bills, and other families who may need a larger property.”

The updated cost-of-living plan for 2024 to 2025 was presented and approved by cabinet on February 20.