A SENIOR Harlow Conservative councillor has revealed that they are considering using Harlow Playhouse as a “warm space” as part of winter strategy should the cost of living and energy crisis deepen.

Portfolio Holder Cllr Joel Charles detailed plans in response to a question by Harlow Labour.

He refers to warm banks after four mins of film below.

Councillor Tony Edwards to Councillor Joel Charles (Portfolio Holder for
Business and Community Resilience):

Given the “Cost of Living Crisis” please tell us what specific actions are being
taken by the Council to increase community resilience over the forthcoming
winter period?

Reply from Councillor Joel Charles (Portfolio Holder for Business and
Community Resilience):

One of the Council’s most important priorities is to work relentlessly to promote
prosperity. Enabling people to access opportunities, through skills development
and employment is crucial. The Council’s approach to addressing concerns
about the cost-of-living will be focused on supporting people to enhance their life

chances. To do this there must be a focus on local economic growth, that is why
the Council’s Economic Development Strategy, to be published next year, will
set out a plan to attract further inward investment in the town.

The Council is also setting up an internal working group to look at what practical
action can be taken regarding the cost-of-living. One step already taken by the
Council has been to further fund the Community Hub to ensure this outreach
provision for residents will continue through the winter, connecting residents with
sources of help and support. The Council continues to have a good working
relationship with Citizens Advice Harlow and the town’s Foodbank, where some
hub users are referred, alongside the offer of mental health support.

Further opportunities are being explored through the Council’s work with
colleagues in primary care on the Harlow Health and Wellbeing Partnership, and
the West Essex Health Partnership structures. The Council is also engaging
with the local Poverty Alliance and listening to the issues raised to look at ways
to assist. A separate meeting request has been sent to leading members of the
Poverty Alliance to discuss what more the Council can do to help residents
during the winter months.

The Council’s website has been updated to include support and advice about
the cost-of-living, and this will continue to develop. Projects under current
consideration are the development of a campaign throughout the winter to
ensure that residents can get the right advice on a range of matters, including
additional benefits information, fuel efficiency and insulation best practice, and
debt and mental health support.

These matters have already been highlighted in the Harlow Times and further information will be posted on the Council’s social media channels.

As part of the Council’s winter planning, the provision of warm
spaces for vulnerable residents who may need support is being considered