The commitment follows on from last year’s £4.4m pledge, which included the £1.469m through the Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery fund, £1.25m for local businesses and £1.7m from the Scottish Government’s pandemic recovery and renewal fund.

The measures agreed cover a wide range of initiatives across the council and HSCP including:

• Activities to improve mental health and wellbeing and targeted support for key priority groups such as children and young people, especially those with additional support needs, young families and those experiencing domestic abuse
• Assisting vulnerable individuals with cost of living challenges which have been exacerbated by the pandemic, including funding for the council’s Money Advice and Rights team through a hardship fund and extending the Welfare Liaison role for older people and for Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to assist in their outreach to older people.
• A focus on community recovery with support to help restart local groups and further youth work investment to tackle anti-social behaviour.

This one-off funding was provided by the Scottish Government to support pandemic recovery and renewal.

Council leader Owen O’Donnell said: “Residents continue to face exceptional struggles in the wake of the pandemic, so I’m pleased that we’ve been able to extend and build on the vital support measures we put in place last autumn.

“The package includes financial assistance and allows Council and CAB staff to expand their support for residents, but it also aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable groups in our communities, many of whom suffered the most during the pandemic.”

He added: “The work undertaken by groups and organisations across East Renfrewshire last winter was of huge importance and these measures recognises that, with further support available for community recovery to help groups restart and continue their vital work.

“Councillors and staff remain absolutely committed to supporting the people of East Renfrewshire and I’d encourage anyone who is struggling with challenges, including the cost of living, to get in touch and find out how the Council and our partners can help.”