East Ayrshire councillors have agreed to spend an initial £3.125 million to help local people through the cost of living crisis – including so-called warm banks and business grants.
On Wednesday, depute chief executive Katie Kelly informed the cabinet that she had told staff to channel the emotion and anger that people were feeling about the crisis into action.
The cabinet agreed proposals developed by officials to provide immediate relief for those hit by rising costs – including using community buildings as warm banks, providing an extra £100 on top of Scottish Government’s £130 child bridging payment, increasing ready meal production for food larders and grants for business and community initiatives.
The council had agreed £525,000 in support in February. New initiatives totalling £2.2m have been identified with a further £390,000 available for further action.
The new proposals also include:
- Roll out of schools-based financial inclusion project at Loudoun Academy cluster, supporting families in need.
- Support for community groups to develop community led initiatives
- Support grants for local businesses to respond to cost of living issues
Ms Kelly told cabinet: “This initial piece of work is about consolidating and coordinating existing services and networks we have, pulling them into one place so that people can understand how they can get help.”
She said there would be close monitoring to ensure the assistance was given speedily with the opportunity to ‘layer on’ additional support where it is needed.
She added: “This is about all of us, none of us want to find ourselves in this position in the 21st century when people in communities and businesses are struggling.
“There is a lot of righteous anger. What I have asked our staff to do is really is to turn that emotion into action so we can really do the best together to take this work forward.”
She highlighted a comprehensive communications campaign to ensure residents know where to turn for help.
There is already work underway to utilise schools and community buildings as places for people to go, not only to help get warm, but enjoy food and company.
Ms Kelly added that the council was speaking to businesses and communities to hear what they need in the face of the crisis.
SNP council leader Douglas Reid said: “The cost of living crisis an absolute priority for this council and we're glad others agree.
“We know the problems will get even worse as we go into winter months. The anger is very much out there.
“Look at the wind turbines at Whitelees down to the former opencast mines at Cumnock and Doon.
“This authority more than any other authority, probably, has done more than any other to fill the national grid full of energy, yet some of our community are going to feel the worst effects of this crisis.
“Rural communities depend on energy are the most adversely affected. It doesn’t just affect them though, it affects the whole economy.
“We hear that 6.5m households heading in to poverty. That’s an absolute disgrace. We need to work collaboratively across council. All we can do is take best mitigation we can.
“That means looking at food, keeping people warm and helping communities. There has been a drop in donations to food banks and larders. We have got to redouble our efforts make sure no one in our communities freeze to death or goes hungry.”
Councillor Reid added that the council and communities had learned from the pandemic and would aim to use that learning to get assistance out there.
He said: “It is important we engage in activities that are not stigmatising, that can be fun and will help the resilience of our communities. We recognise it is just the start.”
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