Suffolk County Council has voted down a Green Party motion to declare a cost-of-living emergency in Suffolk, consider setting up a task force to improve energy efficiency of homes and to urge the government to increase the warm home discount. 

At a meeting of the full council on Thursday, July 7, Green councillor Jessie Carter said: "I stand before you today to request that Suffolk County Council is to declare that Suffolk has moved from a Cost-Of-Living-Crisis to a Cost-Of-Living Emergency. 

"A crisis highlights a time of intense difficulty or danger whereas an emergency is a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action. 

"This is what we are asking for today. Not just words but immediate action. 

County councillor Jessica Carter

 "We are calling for SCC to take the lead on creating a cross-party local authority-led retrofit task force – this being the most effective way to cut household bills, reduce demand, and create jobs in the process. 

"In rural areas of Suffolk, many use oil as the sole energy source. They are unable to heat their properties as much as they would like as the cost of oil has increased, also affecting their ability to heat water as needed. 

"With energy costs increasing by a staggering 54% in April 2022, the need for immediate local and national government support is greater than ever. 

"The Office for National Statistics notes that, while rising energy prices will affect most households across the country, they are going to disproportionately affect those on the lowest incomes. 

"I appreciate the Government has taken some steps to mitigate the impact of fuel price rises on consumers. 

"We are all aware of the support packages that have been put forward, but this will only support a few and more needs to be done today to ensure everyone who needs it is supported. 

 "There are residents in my area who have been counting on getting the cost-of-living payment next month but have recently been told they are not going to receive this as they weren't entitled to Universal Credit during the qualifying period. 

"They work full-time and receive under £12,000 per year. With everything rising in price they cannot afford to not receive this payment. 

"Ofgem confirms that typical household energy bills are set to rise by £800 in October, to £2,800 a year, highlighting that the government's support measures will only partially support households with rising costs. 

 "As elected officials, it is our duty to support Suffolk citizens who are vulnerable to these circumstances. By calling on the government to carry out actions such as increasing the warm home discount and those who are eligible, we will be doing so. 

 "In Suffolk 39% of homes with an EPC have a rating of C or higher. 

"Expanding the zero-rated VAT on home insulation to the products themselves (not just the installation) is a must if we are to encourage citizens to improve their homes efficiently, and to help towards achieving our net-zero target by 2050. 

"As county councillors, we do not have the ability to directly deal with a lot of these issues, but we have an influence over our members of parliament as they look to us for local knowledge of our residents and their circumstances. 

"We have an opportunity to apply pressure on the Government to consider the impact of energy price rises and to focus on longer-term solutions to the Cost-of-Living Emergency." 

An EPC, or energy performance certificate, rating of A is very efficient and G is inefficient, so properties with C ratings are relatively efficient in terms of energy usage. 

The warm home discount scheme gives those eligible money off their energy bill during the winter. In 2021, the discount was £140 and in 2022 this is set to increase to £150. 

The motion put forward by Cllr Carter proposed urging the government to increase the discount to £400 per year. 

Conservative councillor Andrew Reid, speaking on behalf of Councillor Bobby Bennett who was unable to make the meeting due to illness, said: "It is clear today, both in Suffolk and nationally, we are facing challenging times. 

"We have all seen food prices rise and as a rural county we are reliant on oil for heating and fuel for travel. 

"It is important to concentrate on actions, and gesture politics of this sort undermine the work that is already being undertaken here in Suffolk as we tackle poverty. 

"In May, the health and wellbeing board reviewed the cost of living in Suffolk and we continue to work collectively to seek ways we can mitigate cost of living increases in Suffolk. 

"Through the collaborative communities board, a taskforce delivers and coordinates work across Suffolk, with members from the voluntary sector, schools and businesses, and informed by people who have lived experience. This work is rigorously reviewed by our scrutiny board. 

"We are already supporting the Warm Homes, Healthy People Programme, helping vulnerable people to make their homes warmer and easier to heat. 

"We will work with partners to deliver measures to tackle food insecurity. 

"We will develop a financial hardship model which supports the changing needs of our community, supported to the tune of one million pounds from Suffolk public sector leaders. 

"We are investing £2.5 million to improve Suffolk residents' mental health and wellbeing after the pandemic. 

"We are talking to national government, looking at ways we can improve data sharing so we can target support to those who need it most. 

"We are doing what we can to help, and will continue to do so." 

Cllr Reid pointed to the Kickstart Scheme, a national initiative providing employment placements to those aged 16 to 24 who receive Universal Credit; Work Well Suffolk, a project managed by Suffolk County Council that supports those aged 18 or over who experience barriers to employment; and the Get Suffolk Reading scheme, which inspires families to read together as part of a ten-year commitment to increase literacy levels across the county. 

The speech also highlighted the promotion of free school meals in Suffolk, including the simplification of the application process, and the holiday activity and food programme, which provides for children during school holidays. 

Cllr Jessie Carter was "deeply saddened" by the vote, which came in at 32% in favour and 68% against the motion. 

"Our motion today was not about policies but about people and today the people of Suffolk were let down," she said.