Clackmannanshire Council Online

Cost of Living Support Agreed

Actions aimed at easing the cost of living crisis for local residents were agreed at today’s Council meeting.

Councillors agreed that immediate action was required to help mitigate the crisis which is impacting individuals, families and communities across Clackmannanshire, and the country.

The meeting heard about the range of interventions and support already in place and agreed further funding and actions, which reflect the Council’s priorities.

Immediate actions agreed include:

• Additional funding of £3,000 to The Gate
• Additional funding of £4,000 to Citizens Advice Bureau

A report to the meeting explained that whilst these organisations have made funding bids, additional funds are required short term to bolster support to those most in need. . CAB’s funding is for the provision of additional emergency energy vouchers for vulnerable residents; The Gate’s funding is for the provision of additional winter food packs air fryers and recipes for those in greatest need.

Council Leader Ellen Forson said: “I’m pleased that the Council has been able to assist further  with some  immediate action to help mitigate the cost of living crisis which is impacting on everyone at the moment.

“The impact of the spiralling costs of living isn’t something that the Council can solve alone, and that’s why I will continue to use my position as chair of Clackmannanshire Alliance  to ensure that all agencies and partners are coordinating plans and action.   And whilst we have taken further decisions today which provide practical support to those in immediate need, we are also focused  on agreeing plans to provide clear, constructive advice and providing continuing  support throughout what will be a long winter ahead.

“This administration is determined to take action to ease the burden on our most vulnerable people who are already suffering in the most challenging of circumstances.

“I’m pleased that our Alliance community planning partners and our community and voluntary sector partners in Clackmannanshire are also progressing actions related to this emergency and a further report on progress will come to Council in the new year.”

In August the Council agreed a package of support totalling £1.075m to help local families which enabled the following support to be provided for local families, communities and businesses:

• Over 5000 residents received a cost of living payment of £100 in autumn 2022
• £170,000 of funding to support local businesses as part of wider local economic recovery activity
• Implementation of activities to support wellbeing, through targeted responses to address financial insecurity. This included cash-first initiatives alongside the integration of money advice and holistic support services to prevent future hardship. These initiatives included increased emergency financial assistance through Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payment; proactive financial assistance including those impacted by the cut to Universal Credit and those not eligible for mainstream or other support and direct assistance to access food, fuel and other essentials.  This investment totalled £271,000
• Working directly to support families with a seriously disabled child at home and who may be facing higher bills as a result of health related equipment or particular vulnerability in the event of a loss of power over the winter months
• In early December 2022 the Council agreed to bolster the Scottish Welfare Fund. The fund administers grants to individuals on behalf of the Scottish Government for both Crisis Grants which covers short term crisis including food, gas, electric and clothing, and Community Care Grants that support individuals to maintain their tenancy and can include essential household living items. Recognising the likely increase in applications over the winter period Council has agreed additional funding up to £150,000 to enable payment of both grants up to 31^st March 2023.

These actions are being supported by the forthcoming publication of a booklet providing information about cost of living support available in Clackmannanshire, as well as improved information on the Council’s website.