Ealing Council sets up emergency fund
A £1.5 million emergency fund has been set up to help the community during the coronavirus crisis, Ealing Council has announced.
Grants will be handed out to groups such as childcare and transport providers, organisations delivering food provisions to those vulnerable to Covid-19 and voluntary groups.
Residents struggling to cope due to coronavirus will also be eligible for support under the fund’s ‘exceptional hardship’ category.
The borough received a total £9.568m from national government to support efforts against coronavirus locally, in which the emergency council fund has emerged.
The council says the further £8.068m will be used by the council as a ringfenced budget to cover costs such as social care and rough sleeping.
Leader of Ealing Council, Julian Bell, said: “We recognise the truly unprecedented social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on our residents and businesses. We have therefore set up an emergency fund to meet this hugely difficult challenge, ensuring that those affected are given the support they need.
“We are issuing grant funding to a range of local organisations, providers and groups as they continue to offer vital services to local people, as well as pay staff and suppliers at this uncertain time.
“Ealing’s community is its greatest strength and across the borough people are standing together to help our most vulnerable residents.
“We have come together with charities, local groups, businesses and concerned residents to rapidly respond to this unprecedented situation and will soon be launching a new Ealing Together platform.”
Ealing Together aims to be a coordination point for activities already under way in the borough, where residents can give donations to local charities or ask for support themselves through a referral system.
The authority’s cabinet members also agreed on Monday March 23 to offer flexible ways for businesses and residents to pay their bills, among other measures. That includes the ability for self-employed workers to defer council tax payments for up to six months.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for finance and leisure said: “COVID-19 has already had a profound effect on us, nationally and here in the borough.
“We will do all we can to provide financial support to those who are playing a vital role providing for vulnerable residents and those who have been severely impacted by the effects of this virus, both in terms of their health as well as financially.
“The package I have announced today is the beginning of measures we will take to ensure residents and organisations in our borough are supported throughout this most difficult of times.
“If you are someone, an organisation or business who thinks they will be impacted, then please check what support is available to you and share this information with others.”