Windfall emergency fund ruled out by Lincolnshire County Council

Plans to put a multi-million-pound windfall into a cost of living emergency fund has been shot down by county councillors.

The council spent £7 million less than expected last year.

Opposition councillors warned that people were facing an unprecedented crisis, and £1.5 million of the underspend should be devoted to helping them.

However, they weren’t backed by Conservatives, who said district councils were already providing plenty of support. 

The windfall will be split between £5 million for highways repairs and a £2.4 million contingency budget.

Independent Councillor Phil Dilks proposed that these were changed to £4 million and £1.9 million respectively in order to create the emergency fund.

“The cost of living crisis is already hitting many already. In tough times, councils have a duty to step in and do something,” he said.

“We have already made good progress in tackling potholes. But people are facing eyewatering costs and the highest inflation for a generation.”

He was backed by Labour’s Councillor Karen Lee, who said: “I understand the need to keep money back for a rainy day – but look outside, it’s pouring.”

The emergency fund would have aimed to provide heating, food and social contact for vulnerable people, as well as resources on financial advice.

A report said the proposal was viable, but that the council faced volatile economic conditions.