A REPORT on the council’s work in Eden reveals how funds set aside for the cost-of-living crisis will benefit the area.

Cumbria County Council’s area planning report for Eden sets out how the authority’s £2 million Cost-of-Living Reserve will benefit the borough.

Funds set aside by the county council to support residents during the financial crisis are to be distributed to four causes:

  • £500,000 in additional support for the council’s Ways to Welfare Fund, offering grants of up to £100 to individuals and families.
  • £500,000 to the council’s School Clothing Grant budget.
  • £500,000 in additional support for the enhanced free school meals offer running throughout the Summer holidays.
  • And £500,000 in direct community support for those in need.

A proportion of the community support funding will be given to Citizens Advice which has a subsidiary covering the Carlisle and Eden areas.

Funding has been allocated to the county council’s Local Committee for Eden: £21,300 to support the urgent food supply network and £14,400 to allow community organisations to distribute money or vouchers to households in-need.

In agreement with the chairman of the committee, officers will distribute £10,000 of the food support grant to three of Eden’s foodbanks:

  • £4,000 to the Penrith Salvation Army
  • £4,000 to Upper Eden Food Bank
  • £2,000 to Alston Food Bank.

Officers are recommending four recipients of funding from the £14,400 to community organisations.

  • £5,000 to Cumbria Family Support
  • £3,100 to Christians Against Poverty
  • £2,100 to Age UK
  • £2,100 to 4 Eden
  • £2,100 to All About Autism.