Milton Keynes City Council will be giving £180,000 to parish councils across Milton Keynes so they can offer ‘warm places’ for residents during the winter months.
This funding will allow dozens of parish councils to run pop-up cafes, games nights and other informal social activities for residents where they can also keep warm and enjoy a hot meal.
Milton Keynes’ parish councils have been grouped according to levels of deprivation into the area, with parishes receiving anywhere between £500 up to £12,000 in the areas with the highest levels of poverty.
Councillor Jane Carr, Lib Dem Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for the cost-of-living crisis, said:
“The cost-of-living crisis is already hitting families hard, and sadly the worst is yet to come. We are committed to supporting people through the toughest financial crisis in a generation and working with parish councils to provide local community initiatives is one of the best ways to do that. There are plenty of great things being done by our local parishes already and I hope that this funding will boost this.”
Woughton Community Council is one of the parishes set to receive the highest amount of funding as it supports residents in some of the most deprived estates including Netherfield, Coffee Hall and Tinkers Bridge.
The parish council already hosts weekly cafes for people to get a free hot meal, alongside games nights and other initiatives.
Woughton & Fishermead Labour Ward Councillor Donna Fuller, who is also Leader of Woughton Community Council, said:
“This winter, people in my ward will be choosing between heating their homes and putting food on the table. Activities like these will mean that some of the most vulnerable will save some much-needed funds while socialising in a safe environment, and I’m glad that we will now be able to extend this support to even more people this winter.”
The funding package has been allocated to parishes as part of the newly announced £3.3m Winter Plan, which highlights how the City Council will also provide direct financial support for those struggling with bills, energy and housing costs and offer other practical initiatives such as an energy support helpline.
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