More cost of living support on the way to Kirklees residents
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet have today approved £535,000 of funding to support Kirklees residents with the sharp increase in the cost of living.
The money will be available to community groups and organisations who are
already equipped to provide support to their local community.
Funding will be awarded to groups who are able to provide a warm space for residents this winter, food parcels and fuel vouchers, and those who can provide information, advice, and guidance on topics such as mental health support, debt advice, and assistance into employment.
Cabinet also approved £357,000 of funding to be distributed to the voluntary and community sector. This was to supplement the Mayor’s emergency funding and meet the requirements of the Household Support Fund as set in guidance issued by the Secretary of State.
Cllr Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said:
“Kirklees residents, through no fault of their own, are experiencing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation. Over the winter months we are going to see more and more people wanting support, some of whom will have never needed to access support services before.
“That’s why this funding is extremely welcome. It will support residents who are already facing financial hardship but equally we hope it will prevent people from falling into further difficulties.”
Cllr Paul Davies, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, said:
“This funding will go to community groups across Kirklees who are well placed to provide support to our residents. Mental health support, access to employment, and food support, are vital to residents and thanks to our community organisations this support will be easily accessible.
“I’d like to thank them for their tireless work caring for their local communities.”
One Community Foundation will be responsible for managing, distributing, and monitoring the funding.
Emma Woods-Bolger, Chief Executive of One Community Foundation, said:
“This funding will provide a lifeline to communities across Kirklees who find they are at the sharp end of the rising cost of living, after surging energy bills sent the UK’s annual inflation rate to a 41-year-high of 11.1%, food also contributed to prices rising 2% in October alone compared with the previous month, a bigger increase than the Bank of England had been anticipating. It is a worrying time for many people especially when you think that basic food items such as milk and egg prices rose by more than 27% compared with a year earlier.”
“Importantly this funding recognises the need for practical support with food and fuel vouchers as well as information, advice, and guidance.”
Community groups and organisations can apply for funding on the One Community Foundation website.
The funding, which has come from West Yorkshire Mayor’s Cost of Living Emergency Fund, will be issued to the council in three instalments of £178,600 over the next 18 months.
Last week Kirklees Council announced they will be utilising their well-established and trusted network of libraries as Warm Spaces.
Warms Spaces are friendly and comfortable places where residents can keep warm and be with other people. Kirklees Council has 24 libraries across Kirklees that will be used as Warm Spaces.
Libraries offer a warm and comfortable environment, free Wi-Fi, free access to computers, free borrowing of books, free events and activities, and signposting to support and advice with money, bills, and food.
You can find Warm Spaces in Kirklees by visiting the ‘Warm welcome space’ website.
Further information and support for Kirklees residents can be found on our Cost of living Support web pages.
