The Mayor agreed to pursue a 10-point action plan of short-term measures to support Lewisham’s community through the economic downturn. This was discussed at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2008.
The 10-point plan is to:
- keep council tax rises at 2.5 per cent or below
- facilitate (where appropriate) the payment of council tax and business rates over 12 months rather than 10
- establish a housing advice and guidance support service to provide timely, independent and impartial advice for vulnerable residents and those in danger of repossession
- work with our housing partners and RSLs (Registered Social Landlords) to ensure that those that face eviction or repossession have access to flexible solutions to help them stay in their homes
- secure training and re-skilling opportunities for young people and those who are unemployed
- establish an apprenticeship scheme in public services (with the potential to do this across public sector partners and in conjunction with other London local authorities)
- support information and advice agencies in the voluntary and community sector to provide timely financial and debt counselling services and work with credit unions and other organisations to provide safe and robust financial support to residents
- increase promotional campaigns to target benefit availability to ensure people are accessing their full entitlement and provide direct advice to ensure that residents are aware of, and take advantage of, the lowest energy tariffs available
- extend advice and guidance support on energy saving measures and bring forward further activity to tackle fuel poverty including offering all homeowners the opportunity to self-install loft insulation free of charge
- pay all invoices to the Council from SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and the voluntary and community sector within 10 working days for those in the most acute circumstances.
Sir Steve said: “We need to work closely with our partners in the business, voluntary and community sectors and the public services to make sure people can get timely, independent and trusted advice and guidance. We will also work across London to secure better job prospects and opportunities for our residents.”