Aberdeen City Council’s Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee agreed the proposed allocations, which will be considered for approval by Full Council on 3 July.

The £1m will be allocated in two stages with over £530,000 being distributed at this stage and the remaining balance being allocated later in the year.

Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “The allocation of these funds to the identified priority areas is crucial for ensuring we continue to tackle poverty and inequality in communities across our city.

“Providing support in particular in areas such as childcare costs and schools is very important for improving the lives of our young people to ensure they get the best possible start in life.”

Identified priority categories, lead organisations and allocated funds:

• Food - Cfine (£251,260)
• Fuel - SCARF (£50,000)
• Housing – Aberdeen City Council (£100,000)
• Health – Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership (£30,020)
• School costs – Aberdeen City Council (£20,000)
• Childcare costs – ABZ Works (£60,000)
• Poverty – SHMU (£20,000)

Principles and guidance for the allocation of funding were established in order to achieve specific aims which included alleviating poverty and achieving best outcomes for people, adopting a seasonal approach to reflect differing needs and ensuring coverage of a range of poverty issues.

Engagement took place with the external advisers to the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee and Community Planning Aberdeen’s Anti-Poverty Outcome Improvement Group to determine the proposals. Further consultation took place through the Council’s Strategy Board, the Health and Social Care Partnership, the employability team and through ACVO.