TAMESIDE Council will help local people in need as it bids to establish itself as a one ‘that cares.’
The authority has secured a £2.2 million funding boost through the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).
And it will be used to help low-income households, with schemes including supermarket vouchers for families during school holidays and an open application scheme where residents can apply for support.
At a meeting of Tameside Council’s executive cabinet on Wednesday, November 27, it was explained how the money will help people in the borough.
“It’s great the HSF has been extended by a further six months,” Tameside Council’s executive member for finance and resources, Cllr Jack Naylor, said.
“It will be further extended too, which is great news.
“There’s a range of programmes planned to get the money to those most in need. This latest funding will ensure we can support local communities who are in the greatest.
“If there are people out there struggling who do qualify for support, we want to ensure this money is spent to the maximum it can be.”
Cabinet members were asked to sit and listen to officers speaking to people in need and hear why they are asking for support.
Council leader Cllr Eleanor Wills added: “I heard a couple of key words, dignity and opportunity.
“For me, both of those are essential when we’re trying to meet the needs of our residents.
“It will help support those most vulnerable across our communities when we’re looking at rising fuel costs, private rental costs and people are already living very much to or beyond their means.
“It’s absolutely right to talk about that prevention model – can we support somebody now so further down the line they’re not in a situation where they’re homeless?
“For me, on a moral compass level, let’s make people feel safe and be able to feed themselves and then they can work their way to achieving their maximum opportunities.”
Cllr Tafheen Sharif felt something should be done with Tameside’s schools, so information and messaging can be given directly to parents as there is an issue with uptake.
And Cllr Claire Reid said: “This is a real statement about who we are as a council. It’s about protecting the most vulnerable.”
Previously, the HSF has supported thousands of residents across the borough, including pensioners, children, carers, and disabled people, with food, energy and wider essentials.
The funding has been split into seven programmes to ensure it is spread as widely as possible, with the vouchers for school holidays for families and young people eligible for free school meals.
Targeted support and direct awards will be given to individuals, families and households including carers, care leavers and those with a disability to prevent crisis.
It will fund Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to provide support over the colder months as well as the foodbank and food pantry network and Tameside Community Food Skills Project.
Essential household Items will be available through the Tameside Resettlement Scheme and there will be support with housing costs to enable moves from temporary accommodation into secure housing.
Between April and September this year, the council helped with grants and essentials for 63,000 households, including 47,000 households with children, 4,200 households with pensioners, and 4,600 households with a disabled person.
Last year, it also supported more than 18,000 people via 41 different community groups.
And its welfare rights team supported 2,378 residents with advice and appeal representation, resulting in benefit payments increasing by £4.9 million. A further 1,588 were assisted with emergency food related support.
And this latest sum will cover until March 2025.
Cllr Naylor added: “We’re determined to do everything we can to help people with cost-of-living pressures, particularly our most vulnerable residents.
“From supermarket vouchers for families in the school holidays to grants for food, fuel and other essentials and funding for community groups to keep people safe and warm, this money will be going to those most in need.”
*INFORMATION on when the scheme will be launched and how to apply can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/householdsupportfund.
Helping Hand cost-of-living support information is also available 24/7 online at www.tameside.gov.uk/helpinghand.