No winter ‘warm space’ funding for Torbay

Pensioners struggling to heat their homes in Torbay will not have access to public ‘warm spaces’ this winter.

Last year a number of venues, including church halls and libraries, were designated as warm spaces where people could go and meet, rather than heating their own homes in the face of spiralling energy bills.

This year Torbay Council is targeting cash help directly to people struggling with heating costs instead.

Clr Alan Tyerman (Con, Churston with Galmpton) told the council’s cabinet that the government’s decision to axe the universal winter fuel allowance for pensioners was ‘appalling’.

He said the council would be reaching out to all residents to make sure they claimed the benefits to which they were entitled.

People on Pension Credit will receive the allowance as normal, but those on Council Tax Support – but not Pension Credit – will receive a sum equal to the allowance lost as a result of the government’s decision.

They will not have to apply for it, said Cllr Tyerman. They will receive it automatically.

Cllr Swithin Long (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe) said the winter fuel allowance cut would affect more than 20,000 pensioners in Torbay, and there were concerns that many people do not claim their rightful benefits.

Cllr Cordelia Law (Lib Dem, Tormohun) said the council should do all it can to make sure people knew how to claim financial support.

And she added: “I understand the council is not supporting warm spaces.

“It would have been an opportunity for people to be reached with information about the benefits they might be entitled to.

“It’s a real shame that support won’t be there for people this year.”

Cllr Long said the warm spaces project had also had an important role to play in tackling loneliness.