Agenda item

To have a discussion about warm spaces within the Malmesbury area community.

The Chairman introduced the item, which would have the purpose partly to gather information for colleagues connected professionally to Wiltshire Council, to prepare for the winter period.

Helean Hughes, Director of Education and Skills, provided the following update on preparation plans from a Wiltshire Council perspective. The update covered the following points:

• The Council is currently waiting for further guidance from central government.
• The Council has identified the following workstreams in response to the cost of living: 1) Staffing, to ensure that staff can deliver and provide the plans in place; 2) Residents, with a consideration of the pressures that they will be under; 3) Businesses including schools and early years settings.
• It was stated that like during Covid, there is set to be a Household Support Grant, which continued to pay families during the school holidays as well as  the provision of free school meals. Another allocation of this grant is set to be allocated, with a less prescriptive criteria.
• From a department perspective, a newsletter is sent out each Friday to schools which can provide advice on how schools can manage their bills and also make families aware of the benefits that are available to them.

Andrew Jack, Strategic Engagement Partnerships Manager, provide further information on preparation plans. The update covered the following points:

·       Work is being done to collect details of food providers in order to make sure community foodbanks, community fridges and lunch clubs are provided for and that they can cope with increased demand in winter. An example was cited of in Salisbury where a network has been created to share information regarding available resources in an effective and easy fashion.

·       The concept of warm spaces is being investigated, with it being anticipated that some people may not being able to turn on their heating during the day. The work includes looking to identify community venues that would be able to open for people to go during the day, however it has been recognised that other factors such as refreshments may have to be provided to attract people.

The discussion was then opened up to include attendees of the Area Board. During the discussion points that were raised included, but were not limited to:

·       It was suggested that Parish Councils get in touch with Primary Schools in their local area and speak to the respective head teacher in order to connect the educational part of the community. Details would be able to be provided by Wiltshire Council.

·       Wiltshire Council has a list of those that are clinically vulnerable that were supported through Covid and it is likely that a connection will be made to them by the health Centre. Part of the issue will however be those who are not in this group but may find themselves in trouble due to their household income.

·       Regarding the Area Board Health and Wellbeing Grant fund, it was stated that village halls, parishes and businesses should investigate placing an application to offset some of the cost of their heating if they were to provide a service to the community.

·       It was stressed that if they have not done so already, Town and Parish Councils should formally put the cost-of-living crisis on their agendas for discussion.

·       Covid support groups could be used to keep an eye on neighbours to check if they are well or whether they might need support.

·       Regarding the application of grants, it was raised that lunch clubs had found the application process difficult and complicated, with some clubs not being able to meet the Wiltshire Council Criteria. It was suggested that this issue be taken back to the Leadership team for consideration.

·       It was suggested that village halls could facilitate community wardrobes, where clothing, including baby and toddler clothes could be exchanged.

·       It was raised that there could be a stigma that could potentially prevent residents from wanting to access warm spaces and that the branding of services offered would be important in order to ensure that they would be attractive to all that might need them. The Community Living Room was cited as a positive example of avoiding stigmatisation.

·       Those who live in large houses and those who might have restricted incomes need to be considered, with there being a need to draw people out to take measures and change the way they live e.g. potentially only heating one side of their home.

·       It was suggested that there is a difference in provision between the villages and town, with village residents needing to use more oil and fuel to travel. Not being able to spend money on petrol could potentially lead to people being isolated. It was suggested that the Wiltshire Council Leadership team look into the purchasing of oil.

Andrew Jack provided his contact details as a means for collecting further information. Email: Andrew.Jack@wiltshire.gov.uk