More cash from the Government and Norfolk County Council is being spent on helping the most vulnerable in West Norfolk.
An extra £6.7m is coming from Whitehall bolstered by £1.2m from County Hall to help those struggling with the cost of living to top up millions already given to the county.
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What will it be spent on?
£7m towards Multi-Use Hubs including one in King’s Lynn bringing adult education, the library and community help under one roof.
£4.7m to improving adult numeracy skills across Norfolk through free personal tutoring, digital training, and flexible courses
£2.7m for the Holiday Activity and Food programme in conjunction with Active Norfolk, providing free holiday activities for eligible children and young people aged 5-16 in Norfolk
£1.2m for Nourishing Norfolk, Warm Spaces, and to expand the capacity of the Advice Network
£3.6m for cost-of-living vouchers to Norfolk families of free school meals eligible children with those eligible receiving a total of £120 in vouchers per child for the period
£2.7m to continue the county council’s existing Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) which provides emergency financial help, essential household goods, and advice and support for all Norfolk residents in need
£0.9m for district councils to provide community support which targets those most in need, and focuses on providing initial emergency support, as well as providing onwards referral via the NAS
£0.4m of support targeted to voluntary and community groups, via the Norfolk Community Foundation, enabling Norfolk’s voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, faith groups, and town and parish councils to enable direct support to some of our most vulnerable communities
£0.22m to voluntary and community organisations to cover core costs for providing warm spaces for vulnerable people to access and provide signposting for additional help or support that they might need
£0.084m to support libraries to continue their “Warm and Well” schemes, and “Grab and Go” bags, including free sanitary products
Reaction
Cllr Andrew Proctor, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “We know that some of our residents face financial challenges this winter with the massive increase in the cost-of-living, particularly rising energy costs and food prices. This extended package of investment will help those most in need to access additional support over the winter months, including help with energy and water costs.
“The County Council has invested heavily over the last 12 months and is committed to the continuation of vital support to Norfolk Households this Winter, including adding £1.2 million to the latest round of Household Support Funds in addition to wider, longer-term investment into our communities”
“Building on the strong partnerships established across Norfolk, we are working alongside the district councils, the voluntary sector, and schools to make sure we can reach those who need this support the most. It will also provide some much-needed help over the Christmas period.”
