New cost-of-living plans considered by Swindon Borough Council
A cabinet meeting to discuss this takes place on Wednesday
Swindon Borough Council's authority cabinet will soon be asked to endorse a plan for more cost-of-living support for residents in need.
These plans will be funded by the Household Support Grant from central government - the allocation to Swindon this financial year £3.030m.
The report on the new strategy says: “More funding has been allocated to help with food for low-income families with school children during the school holidays.
"To try and ensure £15 per holiday week is given per child, £1,740,000 is being allocated towards this.
"Less will be available to automatically award to households in receipt of means tested benefits with energy – £570,600 is being allocated for this – and £65,000 will be allocated to charities to help with food provision.”
In order to be able to get support targeted the council says it needs a good understanding of where the need is greatest.
It says: “The council has produced the first release of the Swindon data story, which contains information that provides greater insight into our communities and residents to aid service planning.
“This includes information down to ward level, including demographics, levels of deprivation, fuel poverty, the economy and health. The director of public health is working on a second release that will provide even greater insights to support cost of living work and community engagement.”
Events will also continue where council staff and external organisation such as Warm and Safe Wiltshire and Citizens Advice will be available to provide support and advice and there will be: “an extensive borough-wide cost-of-living communications campaign with a rolling calendar of activity to make residents aware of local and national help and support with living costs.
The campaign will continue to sign-post the dedicated webpage which collates information for residents in one place.”
The cabinet meeting to discuss these proposals starts at 6pm on Wednesday at the Civic Offices.