North Yorkshire Council Gives £150,000 to Help People Stay Warm in Winter

North Yorkshire Council will give £150,000 over three years to help people stay warm. This is to help vulnerable residents and lower winter deaths.
By Newsroom | Local Government, Social Services |

Local officials have agreed to provide £150,000 over three years to a group called Citizens Advice in North Yorkshire. This money is intended to help people who are struggling to stay warm during cold weather and to reduce deaths that happen in winter. The decision was made by members of the North Yorkshire Council.

Background of the Funding Approval

The council's decision follows a previous attempt by a political group, the Labour group, to get similar funding approved. Last year, a proposal with the same goal was not successful. However, discussions continued, leading to the current funding agreement.

  • Amount: £150,000 total.

  • Duration: Over three years.

  • Recipient: Citizens Advice in North Yorkshire.

  • Purpose: To reduce winter deaths and assist vulnerable people with heating their homes.

  • Mechanism: £50,000 will be given each year for three years.

  • Scheme: The funds will support the "Warm and Well" scheme run by Citizens Advice.

Council Members' Views on the Funding

Council members spoke in favor of the funding, highlighting its value and the importance of supporting vulnerable people.

Funding approved to reduce cold deaths - 1

  • Councillor Michael Harrison, who is in charge of health and adult services, noted that some other councils are cutting support for voluntary groups. He stated that North Yorkshire Council values the work of these organizations and aims to protect their funding. He also thanked council staff for their work in bringing the proposal forward again.

  • Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright, who seconded the motion, expressed strong support, calling it "an excellent investment." He suggested that the £50,000 per year would be the "best £50,000 year this council spent for a long time."

The Role of Citizens Advice and the "Warm and Well" Scheme

The "Warm and Well" scheme aims to help people in vulnerable situations stay warm during colder months. Citizens Advice in North Yorkshire runs this program.

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  • The £50,000 provided by the council each year is considered base funding.

  • This base funding is crucial for Citizens Advice to attract additional money from other sources.

  • Examples of these other funding sources include the British Gas Energy Trust and Northern Powergrid.

  • The council funding itself does not cover the entire cost of running the service.

Significance and Broader Impact

The approval of this funding addresses a need to support residents, particularly those most at risk during periods of cold weather. By providing financial backing to Citizens Advice, the council is enabling an organization to continue and expand its work in helping people manage heating costs and avoid health issues related to cold. The council's action contrasts with the trend of funding cuts seen in other areas.

Conclusion

North Yorkshire Council has committed £150,000 over three years to Citizens Advice for its "Warm and Well" scheme. This initiative is designed to protect vulnerable residents from the dangers of cold weather and reduce winter-related deaths. The funding acknowledges the essential work of voluntary organizations and provides a stable base for Citizens Advice to leverage further support from other entities. This decision represents a proactive step by the council to invest in the well-being of its community members.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did North Yorkshire Council give £150,000 to Citizens Advice?
North Yorkshire Council gave £150,000 over three years to Citizens Advice to help vulnerable people stay warm during cold weather and to reduce deaths that happen in winter. This money supports their 'Warm and Well' scheme.
Q: How will the £150,000 funding from North Yorkshire Council help people?
The funding will help Citizens Advice run their 'Warm and Well' scheme. This scheme assists people who struggle to heat their homes during cold weather. It aims to prevent health problems and deaths caused by the cold.
Q: When will the £150,000 funding be given to Citizens Advice in North Yorkshire?
The council will give £50,000 each year for three years. This means the total amount of £150,000 will be provided over the next three years to support the 'Warm and Well' scheme.
Q: Who is considered a vulnerable person for the 'Warm and Well' scheme in North Yorkshire?
Vulnerable people are those who struggle to afford to heat their homes during cold weather. The 'Warm and Well' scheme aims to help these individuals stay safe and warm, reducing the risk of winter-related illnesses and deaths.
Q: Is the £150,000 from North Yorkshire Council the only money Citizens Advice gets for this scheme?
No, the £150,000 is base funding that helps Citizens Advice get more money from other places. It is important for attracting extra funds from groups like the British Gas Energy Trust and Northern Powergrid.