A URGENT call is being made in Warwickshire for a summit to address the escalating cost of living crisis.
Liberal democrat councillors are calling for the county-wide summit to address the impact of the ongoing international conflict in the Middle East on rising energy and food prices.
With households facing unprecedented financial pressure, the Liberal Democrat Group are urging Warwickshire County Council, as well as district and borough councils, local businesses, charities, and community groups to come together to coordinate a robust and immediate response.
The group stresses that the council must improve coordination and visibility of the resources available for residents to access. While the county already funds food banks, community pantries, energy advice services and wider cost‑of‑living support, residents in real hardship do not have a clear and accessible gateway to access urgent help.
Coun Jerry Roodhouse, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “Families across Warwickshire are being pushed to the brink. Energy bills remain high, food prices are rising, and too many residents are having to choose between heating and eating. We cannot afford to wait. Local leaders must come together now to take decisive action.
“This is not simply a question of money. WCC already runs food pantries, offers energy advice, and provides welfare support. The problem is that far too many of the people who rely on these services either don’t know about them or struggle to access them. That’s why we need urgent, joined‑up action to raise awareness and make sure support reaches residents quickly, clearly and when they need it most.”
The group calls on WCC leader Coun George Finch, to commit to holding a summit within the next month on this specific issue, and ensure that residents and community organisations are central to shaping the response.
The proposed summit would focus on coordinating local support for vulnerable residents, including expanded access to warm spaces and food banks and working with energy providers and community energy groups to improve access to advice, grants and efficiency schemes.
It would also focus on supporting local food networks, including farmers, markets and community pantries, to strengthen resilience and affordability, engage with local businesses to mitigate cost pressures and protect jobs, lobby Central Government to increase funding and targeted support for Warwickshire residents, including for off-grid households relying on heating oil and LPG, and build a formal, lasting partnership with the voluntary and community sector to ensure community organisations are at the heart of the county’s response.
Coun Finch has been approached for comment.
