As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, opposition councillors have asked East Hampshire District Council to hold a meeting to see what extra help it can give directly to residents.

The request by all eight Liberal Democrats to chairman Cllr Sally Pond and chief executive Gill Kneller on November 8 came after November 17’s full council meeting was cancelled.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Steve Hunt said: “We have an item to be debated and voted on by full council as a matter of urgency – the cost-of-living emergency.

“This is too important and affects our residents to such an extent that it cannot be left until the next scheduled council meeting in January.”

Cllr Pond has until November 15 to respond to the request.