THE CITY council looks set to create a £110,000 cost-of-living support fund for struggling families, following a debate on Tuesday evening.

Carlisle City Council met at the Civic Centre on Tuesday, voting on a number of motions including two relating to the cost-of-living crisis.

Councillors agreed to call a cost-of-living emergency in Carlisle, asking the chief executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for additional measures.

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In a separate motion, Councillor Lisa Brown, leader of the Labour opposition proposed that the city council launches a £110,000 support fund for families who may be struggling in the economic crisis.

She said: “I think it’s a really simple motion, lots of other councils are digging-in to underspends to help people at this time and recognising that it’s an unprecedented situation.

“Whoever’s fault this is, it’s an unprecedented situation that people are faced with and if we can help, I don’t see much of a reason why we can’t tonight just do this.”

The proposal was that Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden administer the grants given their experience supporting people who are in financial crisis.

Deputy leader councillor Gareth Ellis proposed an amendment which made the move a reference back to the executive so that they could consider how to implement it. The leadership would then bring it back to full council for approval.

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He said that “there’s absolutely no way” an executive meeting could be held with the necessary procedures completed so that a report could be brought before councillors at the next full council in November 8.

“The council meeting after that is January and I kind of think once you hit January you’re losing some of the impact of what the opposition are trying to achieve from this.”

Cllr Ellis’ added to the motion that it would mean an increase in the council’s non-recurring revenue budget for 2022/23 of £110,000 which can be funded via the council’s Scheme of Virement.

Full council will ultimately need to approve the funding as a recommendation from the leadership as it is in excess of £70,000. It is set to be funded with underspends.

“My preference is that Carlisle City Council manage this £110,000 not a third party, if when the report comes to executive, we find that we don’t have capacity, then we will approach partners such as Citizens Advice to carry this out on our behalf.”

The motion was passed with the amendment.

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