Eastbourne Conservatives have moved swiftly to support the creation of a town-wide fund to help those affected by cost-of-living increases.
The idea is one that the Conservatives themselves suggested back in May but the motion was roundly defeated at the time by the ruling Lib-Dems. Now it looks certain that £250,000 will be found from the council’s stretched finances, while a Grants Task Group will begin work on detailed allocations.
“Of course, we are fully supportive of a cost-of-living emergency fund for any Eastbourne residents who can be helped by it”, said Cllr Robert Smart the Conservative group leader. “We wanted this to happen in May when the Lib-Dems were only concerned about trying to influence national affairs completely outside their remit. We are delighted that they have taken up our suggestion of a local fund which is brought to the borough’s Cabinet for approval today (Weds).
In publicly supporting the scheme at Scrutiny Committee this week, Cllr Jane Lamb (Con. Meads) stressed the need to make sure that we reach out to those residents in need who are difficult to engage. “We must make sure that any scheme helps those who really need it “, says Cllr Lamb. “It is vital that the ‘invisible poor’ be reached, to make sure they receive the help they need”, she added. “We know that some people are reticent in claiming the benefits rightly due to them already, and are therefore even more disadvantaged.”
The Conservatives have urged town hall officials to have the scheme in place by the beginning of September, given the urgency of the need. They say that, despite this unfortunate delay, it’s important to make sure that everything proceeds now at pace.
