Lancaster public come together to tackle cost of living.

Lancaster City Council recently held a Community Conversation to listen to its partner organisations and the public on the cost-of-living crisis. The Conversation was intended to shape the city's response and co-ordinate views from residents.

The conversation began with a series of presentations from Lancaster CVS, Citizen's Advice Bureau and the city council, explaining what support is already available to the public and explaining how extra funding (the Household Support Fund) is due to be released to offer more support to local residents.

Attendees were then split up into smaller groups in order to share their ideas and respond to three set questions, which were aimed at establishing local priorities. The questions asked were:

• What are you doing in response to the cost of living crisis?

• What can we all do together to get through the cost of living crisis?

• What do you think we could do with Household Support Fund round 3 ? (the support fund is administered by the city council)

There were a range of responses to these questions, all of which will feed into the decisions the council will take. Some common themes were; using the third sector as gatekeepers for the fund; ensuring that people who require financial support, also receive help such as budgeting advice, benefits checks and help with debts.

Additional ideas such as heat vouchers were suggested, where people could receive vouchers to exchange for hot meals. Attendees expressed strong sentiments that existing systems and structures were used, rather than creating new ones, as many people are already familiar with where to go for help.

Finally, many agreed that there was a need to tackle misinformation, which could put people in dangerous situations. As an example, a number of people raised online videos suggesting that tea lights and clay pots could be used to heat rooms, however the fire service has warned that such actions are very dangerous and could cause fire hazards.

Lancaster City Council will publish their decision later this year and will work with partners, such as the NHS and community and voluntary sector to ensure people who require help are able to get it.