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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jack Thomson

Call for public buildings to be used as warm spaces withdrawn after cost-of-living plans agreed

A motion calling for public buildings to be used as warm spaces has been withdrawn by the Labour group after a series of cost-of-living measures were agreed by elected members.

Councillor Iain McMillan and his party planned to put forward proposals requesting local authority halls and community centres stay open every day from the beginning of December to the end of February for residents to visit and heat up at the next full council meeting.

However, an extensive package of support, which included plans for warm spaces, winter clothing payments and an advice pilot in high schools, was put forward and subsequently agreed at Wednesday's Leadership Board.

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As a result, Councillor McMillan said he was "satisfied" the SNP administration was already working on a project that he and his group had hoped could be achieved.

He said: "We were calling for the council to play a leading role in coordinating places that people can go to keep warm during the winter months in order to save themselves from the huge costs of heating their own homes.

"The SNP administration answered our questions and we are satisfied they are doing what we asked for and we look forward to seeing how this initiative will progress."

Renfrewshire Council, the health and social care partnership and One Ren are exploring ways of working with local partners for a warm space approach that would work in the area.

A report discussed at Wednesday's board said: "It is important that any opportunities that are progressed reduce stigma and are rooted in encouraging and supporting people to join together over the winter period, to connect more, to promote positive health and wellbeing, and to access advice and support when they need this.

Councillor Iain McMillan, leader of the Labour group (graeme.crawford@renfrewshire.gov.uk)

"A Winter Connections campaign will be developed to promote the local approach to support during the winter period, recognising that some local organisations have already put into place plans to take this forward in their own community."

A working group will also be formed to look at how existing buildings can be used for this purpose.

Earlier this month, the Labour group had also issued a plea for an emergency summit in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

However, Councillor McMillan accepted that a special meeting of the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee, which is scheduled to take place in a matter of weeks, would fulfil this purpose.

He added: "Furthermore, we were asking for a summit in order that all interested parties could come together and discuss the current crisis for people in Renfrewshire and again coordinate services from both council and voluntary services.

"Again we accept the response from the administration that this will happen in the next few weeks."

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