Torbay Warm and Well grant welcomed

News of a grant from the Department of Health's Warm

Homes Healthy People fund has been welcomed by Torbay Council's Deputy Mayor

Cllr David Thomas.

 

The council's "Torbay Warm and Well" bid to the

fund has resulted in it being awarded a grant of £61,752.

 

The aim of the funding is to:

* deliver energy efficiency and heating improvements to

the most vulnerable people

* ensure better public awareness of the impacts of cold

weather

* provide staff and volunteers with fuel poverty/cold

weather awareness training

 

Cllr Thomas, whose portfolio includes strategic

responsibility for housing, said: "We are extremely grateful to the

Department of Health for its decision to make this one-off payment after

recognising that our bid met the criteria.

 

"The intention is to work in partnership with Age UK

Torbay to set up a crisis fund over the winter period providing grants to help

protect vulnerable people in Torbay. This will focus upon heating systems to

ensure those most vulnerable have the ability to keep warm this winter.

 

"For example, an elderly person living on limited

means might suffer a heating boiler breakdown during cold weather and simply

cannot afford to pay for repairs.

 

"We would then be able to use money from the crisis

fund to help foot the repair bill.

 

"Training will also be offered to community groups

and community partnerships to provide advice to others on how to keep warm this

winter and lower energy bills.

 

"We recognise these are tough times for many

vulnerable people across the Bay. It is vital that we do everything we can do

to provide financial support where appropriate, and this Government grant is a

welcome funding boost."