THE TOLL of the cost-of-living crisis on rural communities has been discussed at a meeting of the city council.

Leader of Carlisle City Council’s Liberal Democrat Group asked questions of the leadership at a meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor Tim Pickstone said: “The cost-of-living crisis is affecting people in every walk of life, but my question is specifically about people living in rural areas.

"In areas without mains gas supply, many residents are forced to rely on oil, LPG, coal and wood for their heating. In areas with no public transport people are 100 per cent dependent on long car journeys to get to work or education.”

READ MORE: Carlisle's city status is protected, Government minister confirms

Cllr Pickstone is the ward councillor for Longtown, in the rural area of Carlisle.

He said: “In Longtown Ward almost no houses have mains gas and for some of the rural parts of the ward the last bus was twenty years ago.”

Cllr Pickstone asked the leader if he would support his list of changes to support residents in the rural areas of North Cumbria.

These included adding rural postcode areas to the Rural Fuel Duty Relief scheme which currently affords 21 UK areas an extra 5p off each litre; regulate the heating, oil and LPG markets and delay the ban on domestic coal for rural areas.

READ MORE: £16.6M FUND: Carlisle Town Deal plan gets green light

In response, leader of the council John Mallinson said that the authority “has a long track record of targeting our resources and partnerships to ensuring that our residents receive the support they need during times of hardship and crisis.

“Our staff, members, partners and contractors have demonstrated their commitment to supporting local people, communities and businesses on many occasions and we continue to take this approach now.”

In highlighting some of the council’s work to address the cost-of-living crisis in rural areas he mentioned: “40,605 Council Tax energy rebate payments of £150 each across Council Tax bands A-D. Officers are also developing a Council Tax Energy Discretionary scheme for customers in Bands E – H.

Cllr Mallinson said: “As always, our housing and homelessness teams are working hard to ensure vulnerable people are receiving the best advice and support we can give them.”

Their work includes discretionary payments supporting deposits, clearing rent/mortgage arrears and provision of emergency accommodation for vulnerable tenants.

The council also offers a welfare advice service and gives financial support to Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden, Cumbria Law Centre and Cumbria CVS.

READ MORE: Copeland Council receives open letter on cost of traveller site