"We have an Isle of Wight Anti-Poverty Group established," Isle of Wight Council's adult social care lead has told colleagues at County Hall.

In a statement prepared for last night's council meeting, Cllr Karl Love detailed his own experience with poverty, recalling bullying and 'shame', and raised concerns about the rising reliance on foodbanks and the Isle of Wight's first ever community pantry.

He wrote: "We must look hard at how we can respond and take action to address poverty. 

"We are trying to find ways of motivating new house building, responding to the rented housing crisis. It's not an easy quick fix and I encourage all home owners with vacant second homes or empty properties to help by renting them out.  

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"We also need to encourage people living in large homes in which they don’t need all the space anymore to down size, or consider renting a part of it out.  This can bring many benefits including splitting running costs and improving mental health and wellbeing.  

"In East Cowes, my ward, I can see families struggling and the situation and crisis worsening. The impacts of this energy and inflation are already biting hard. So what can we all do to address it?

"I have asked [council officers] to motivate and stimulate new ideas and find ways to combat poverty all across our Island. Our MP also recognises and warns me of the difficult economic road ahead.

"With energy costs soaring and inflation running high its hard to keep up with the bills. We must find solutions and not just react to the symptoms of poverty as they unfold.

"On the new Community Pantry initiative, some see this as a good thing. How can people having to turn to Food Pantries be a good thing I ask?  I did express concerns about it to our Cabinet and Senior Management team several weeks ago after the first pantry opened in East Cowes.

"We and Government must address the causes of poverty and what lies behind poverty. It's not that I don’t agree with what Food Pantries...I contest our government needs to do more to avoid the need for such services and work to eliminate poverty."

Cllr Love said his own experience as a child meant he remembered his mum's 'distress' and the 'shame' of having to ask for help. He said bullying for receiving free school meals was an enduring memory.

"Poverty was weaponised against us," Cllr Love wrote.

"We were punished for being poor and bullied for that. I don’t want to ever see that occurring again. 

East Cowes Town Hall.

"East Cowes town council has been [supporting residents]. I encourage other town councils to do the same and I know many are. 

"We must try to find ways of extending support to foodbanks and Community Pantries, but recognise this does not solve the problems causing poverty.

"We all need to start thinking in a positive way about the changes we all need to make now to help one another, share ideas and overcome poverty.  Your ideas and thoughts, financial tips for making savings are very welcomed."