Additional local support will be available to help residents with the cost of living this winter.
Conservative-controlled Cherwell District Council is set to issue two £50 food vouchers to approximately 2500 households in the District who are experiencing hardship. The vouchers will be administered in two tranches with both payments being received before Christmas. Residents do not need to apply - those who qualify will be contacted over the coming weeks.
£250,000 has been allocated to support the scheme - the only one of its kind currently announced in the county – taken from unspent COVID funding the Council had in reserve.
The Council is also supporting various other schemes to help residents this winter:
- Warm spaces: The Council is working with partners across the District to provide warm spaces for residents. The Hill community centre in Banbury was the first to pledge a warm space. The Council’s pop-up community space in Castle Quay will be another as will Bicester Library.
- CHEEP (Cherwell Energy Efficiency Project): The Council is providing grants of up to £5,000, double the previous maximum amount, for private sector landlords to improve energy efficiency in their properties, many of which are rented to people on lower incomes.
- Brighter Futures: Brighter Futures is a long-standing Council project working to support the most deprived communities in the District. Work is now being focussed on helping residents with the cost of living including cookery skills lessons.
- Food Insecurity: The Council has set up a Food Insecurity Working Group and appointed a Food Champion to build upon existing schemes that help those experiencing food insecurity.
- Essential Repairs Grant: Not a new scheme but homeowners in receipt of certain benefits can apply for an Essential Repairs Grant which could be used to help replace an old broken boiler or other main heating appliance.
The Council is also administering several financial support schemes on behalf of the Government including the Council Tax Energy Rebate and the Household Support Fund.
Phil Chapman, Cherwell District Councillor for Cropredy, Sibfords and Wroxton Ward and the Council’s Food Champion, said: “We know that households across the District are concerned about the rising costs of fuel and food. As a Council, we are determined to do what we can to support residents this winter. We have been able to reallocate COVID funding to deliver our food vouchers scheme and are proud to be the only Council in Oxfordshire providing support of this kind. Our cost-of-living support package, which complements the government initiatives already in place, will target those locally in greatest need and be a real helping hand for them this winter.”
