FUNDING to help support communities across the borough through the cost of living crisis has been agreed by Barrow Borough Council.

Members of the authority’s Executive Committee voted that £310,000 from the Welfare Fund should be used to provide food, warmth and other help for those most in need this winter.

The money has been re-allocated from a separate project which can no longer go forward.

Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, said: “As a council we are committed to doing all we can to support our communities so I absolutely welcome this additional funding for the months ahead.

“The cost of living crisis is a significant and very real worry for many people here in our borough.

“No-one should have to make the choice between food or warmth over the coming winter months, but this is what the cost of living crisis means in real terms for so many people.”

Of the total available, £100,000 will be used to support the Warm Spots Project in the borough while a further £100,000 will be distributed via large grants to established organisations already providing food, fuel and emergency support to the community.

The remaining £110,000 will be used to establish a small grants programme, administered by the council, to ensure third sector organisations can continue to support the community through the colder months ahead.

The allocation of the funding has been made according to priorities identified by The Community Prosperity Partnership – a group made up of representatives from local authorities in the county and from across the third sector. Its purpose is to help the community recover from the pandemic and to improve general prosperity in the borough.

Councillor Thomson added: “The people of Barrow are renowned for the way they pull together and look out for each other during difficult times, and as a compassionate council it is right that we also look for ways to help.

“I’m glad we have been able to approve this funding today to provide some support for those struggling through the winter months.

“Partner organisations across the area including Barrow Borough Council are working to try to mitigate the impacts of the cost of living crisis on our borough, as well as building resilience within our communities to ensure that we are helping those who need it the most, swiftly and efficiently.”