Lifeline for crisis fund under threat

APROPOSAL to axe a crisis fund that provides food and clothing vouchers for homeless and vulnerable residents has been shelved by Stockport council.

The cash-strapped authority had considered scrapping the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme (SLAS), which was set up in 2013 and replaced community care grants and loans.

The scheme supports those living on the streets, escaping domestic violence, families under pressure or people with mental health problems or struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.

Vouchers, issued in a crisis situation, can be exchanged for food, heating, clothing, bedding and essential household goods.

But town hall bosses said axing the fund would save £486,000 with the council facing a savings target of £16m next year.

Opposition councillors said the move would be ‘a step too far’, despite officers saying the authority will look at ways to mitigate the loss.

Meanwhile, Coun Becky Crawford argued removing the payment with no alternative would leave vulnerable people ‘high and dry’.

Town hall bosses now plan to support the scheme throughout 2019/20 while a review is conducted.

A council spokesman said: “Having listened to residents’ views, alongside our understanding of how the scheme offers support, it is now planned to retain the current SLAS while a wider fundamental review is undertaken.

“The authority is committed to supporting those who are our most vulnerable – and, at the same time, doing this in the most effective and efficient way.

“This decision will allow us the time to undertake a thorough review in order to make sure we get the support offer right. This work will provide detailed plans on how we can reshape our offer to provide support to those who need it.”

Since the SLAS started it has assisted almost 13,500 people, from teenagers to pensioners.

In addition, the amount of disabled applicants has also increased from 516 in 2016 to 764 in 2018.

Most people who have applied for help live in Brinnington and Central – and almost £400,000 has been allocated to that area, according to council figures.

The lowest allocation – £10,869 – was assigned to applicants from Bramhall North and South.