The most worrying thing facing most Monmouthshire families today is the spiralling cost-of-living issues, which the Wales First Minister, Mark Drakeford, highlighted during his visit to the county last week.

He was proud of the fact that in Wales we pull together, and that is exactly what we need to do now.

It is a stark contrast to the Westminster government politicians, in denial and busy playing party political games, notable by their absence when they should have had all hands on deck.

Notwithstanding which, thanks to the active and involved Welsh government, quickly we have been able to make extra £150 payments to the most vulnerable in our county, including special help with more free school meals and for grants for disabled people. In addition we have given out fuel vouchers to those most in need.

But I am the first to recognise that this is not nearly enough – we need to tackle these issues head on and they are not going to get easier. Which is why we will be hosting a series of local summits across the county, involving charities and community groups.

We will be actively searching out where the worst pressure points are and how we can all work together as a cohesive community to ensure that everyone can survive what promises to be the bleakest winter any of us can remember.

That is not scaremongering. It is, I regret, the reality.

In addition, as a matter of real urgency, we are set to stage a business resilience forum so we can learn from local businesses about their particular problems and then collectively lobby for the support they will need. Again, there is no silver bullet here, but we will do what we can: as a county council we are playing our part.

It will help, but I do not pretend that it will not be enough for everyone in our community.

And as news of our next prime minister emerges, I have to make the point again that their playtime has ended: now Westminster has to start helping all the people in a realistic, deliverable and urgent way.

Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby Leader

Monmouthshire County Council