Plans to invest more than £5m to tackle the cost-of-living crisis in West Dunbartonshire have been given the green light by councillors.
The abolition of non-residential care charges, free gym memberships for teenagers over the summer, support for unpaid carers and the creation of a pioneering new household energy fund to tackle fuel poverty are some of the measures that will be introduced.
Members last week unanimously approved Labour’s proposal to support those hardest hit by soaring inflation, which hit a 40-year high last week.
The plans will see the creation of a £1m cost-of-living fund which will initially be used to provide an additional £1000 per week to West Dunbartonshire foodbanks, free summer swimming for school pupils, free all-inclusive family leisure memberships from July to August for vulnerable families identified by Working4U, free West Dunbartonshire Leisure gym memberships over summer for 14-18 year old pupils and support for the Recycle Room in Clydebank, a community group which takes unwanted items and redistributes to those in need.
Other investments being made through the initiative, which was outlined as part of an emergency motion to the council, will include the creation of a household energy fund of £250,000 and an innovative partnership with major energy suppliers to ensure residents experiencing significant levels of fuel poverty receive support and early intervention to maintain their utility supply.
Targeted community bulk uplifts and grass cutting will also be undertaken where families do not have the funds to pay for these items in addition to litter picking to clean up communities.
An investment of £1million will fund free access to activities for children during school holidays, with a further £1m of capital earmarked to support community groups and voluntary organisations with their own cost of living initiatives.
The motion also detailed a range of support planned through West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership budgets, subject to approval at their Integrated Joint Board meeting in August.
The assistance incorporates a £1m help for carers package, including respite to support unpaid carers, kinship carers and foster carers.
Additional funding for employees in the welfare rights service will ensure residents are well supported with advice and guidance around budgeting to help mitigate the cost of living crisis.
In addition to the above, councillors indicated their intention to abolish £1.5m of non-residential care charges later this year, covering the loss of income through the Health and Social Care Partnership’s unearmarked reserves.
Deputy council leader, Councillor Michelle McGinty, who will lead a cross-party cost of living working group, said: “Though the cost-of-living crisis may make us think of financial challenges, it is important to remember that it brings with it a huge number of other challenges too, especially for our residents’ health.
“Our aim is that nobody in West Dunbartonshire struggles because of the cost of living. I would urge all residents to get in touch and find out what support they are eligible for and how our comprehensive package of support can assist them.”
