East Riding Council officials are considering putting on vouchers for people on energy pre-payment meters but no decision has yet been made, its public health lead has said.
East Riding Council’s Public Health Director Andy Kingdom said the vouchers were among the ideas being floated by officials to help with the cost of living this winter.
Council leader Cllr Jonathan Owen told the Health and Wellbeing Board the authority had raised the issue of pre-payment meters ahead of difficult times this winter.
It comes as the Board heard updates about the council’s plans to help households through the winter amid a deepening cost of living crisis.
The council has opened applications for its Do It For East Yorkshire grants to community groups to put on Welcoming Spaces where people could take refuge.
The Board heard the grants were designed to help organisations on the frontline of the cost of living crisis who would be struggling themselves due to rising running costs.
Council libraries are also set to offer people a warm place where they can go if they are struggling to afford to heat their homes.
The Board heard council officials were also trying to reach people through the benefits system as billions of pounds in support from the Government continues to go unclaimed.
Mr Kingdom said they would involve activities, games and talks and the council was trying to destigmatise seeking help.
But he added the winter ahead would leave a lasting mark on people because of the severity of the cost of living crisis.
The director said:
“The concern is that a lot of people who might be on the edge now will be pushed into needing support.
“This crisis isn’t happening because of individuals’ problems, it’s caused by structural issues which are hopefully short term.
“As a council we’re trying to prevent the worst from happening to people.
“We need to get to the most vulnerable, but there’s also going to be a bunch of people who previously would never have thought they were vulnerable.
“They would have been the ones who would have helped and volunteered before and now they will need help themselves.
“The experiences people have this winter will stay with them, especially children who go through it.
“But there’s an opportunity to try and bring back the community spirit we saw during coronavirus and show that ultimately it’s communities that are the builders of health and wellbeing.”
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