Wrexham Council gets additional funding for warm hubs

Earlier this week, Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt announced that Welsh Government would be providing an initial £1m in funding to support Warm Hubs across the country amid the cost of living crisis

With many expected to be unable to heat their homes this winter, Warm Hubs have been set up to provide people with a space to go to keep warm. 

READ MORE: Wrexham Council confirm 'warm places' coming to the city amid cost-of-living crisis

During her announcement, Ms Hutt confirmed that it would be up to the local authorities to decide what to spend the money on. 

She said: "Much of the expertise on where Warm Hubs should be placed, and what should be provided within Warm Hubs, rests within local communities. Local authorities working in partnership with the public sector, voluntary sector and community partners will be best placed to gauge and understand local needs, existing provision and to design and deliver local solutions.

"Funding for Warm Hubs will therefore be distributed via local authorities in Wales. Funding will be distributed in line with local authority agreed existing formula. 

"It is important that the approach to the delivery of Warm Hubs is joined up and meets local needs. In the same way that it is expected local authorities will work with local stakeholders, it is expected that any organisation wishing to put Warm Hub provision in place will contact their local authority or their local CVC to ensure they are delivering as part of the overall area approach and not duplicating local provision."

READ MORE: Flintshire Council's plans for 'warm hubs' approved

Both Wrexham and Flintshire Councils had already signed off on having Warm Hubs within the city and county, but the new funding may allow for additional resources.

Something that Wrexham Council are already debating. 

A Wrexham Council spokesperson said: "We’ve established some already and are now developing our approach in response to the recently announced additional funding."

Previously, on the announcement of the Warm Hubs, Flintshire’s Leader, Councillor Ian Roberts, said: “Although it’s incredible that in this day and age we are having to consider opening warm hubs, the fact is that with the current cost of living crisis, they have become a necessity. Flintshire takes its responsibilities extremely seriously and we will continue to support our most vulnerable residents during these unprecedented times.

“The warm hubs are an extension of work which took hold during the pandemic and which has continued since with the introduction of support hubs in Shotton and Holywell – recently recognised by another local authority as a great example of how to support and advise residents.”