Residents in the Lichfield district worried about the cost of heating their homes are invited to a Warm Space that the council is making available.
From Monday 3 October, the lounge area on the ground floor of District Council House in Frog lane will be open to people on weekdays, from 8am to 5pm.
Residents are welcome to gather here to keep warm and socialise, there is space for babies and toddlers, comfortable seating and books and games for children.
This area will continue to be available throughout the winter months as part of a network of similar facilities being provided by organisations including churches and Lichfield Cathedral.
If there is a need, the opening of the Warm Space will be extended to include weekends and the possible provision of hot food is under discussion.
Lichfield District Council is also looking for a suitable location in Burntwood in which to provide a similar facility.
A range of support is available to residents struggling with the cost of living.
Energy rebate payments are being made to households and eligible residents are being supported with Discretionary Housing Payments to prevent homelessness.
A more generous Local Council Tax Support Scheme based on an applicant’s income is being developed for launch in April 2023, payment plans are being tailored to support residents struggling to make council tax payments and historic council tax arrears are being reviewed to provide appropriate debt relief for those in greatest need.
In addition, from next week a member of the council’s Customer Services Team will be attending Lichfield Foodbank at Wade Street Church each Friday between 12.30pm and 2.30pm to assist with Council Tax, Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit enquiries.
The Leader of Lichfield District Council, Councillor Doug Pullen, said: “Increases in the cost of living are hitting the finances of households across the district.
“We are determined to help and are introducing measures that we hope will ease the burden for residents who are most in need.
“To those worried about the cost of heating their home please come to the Warm Space we are making available in District Council House.
“Our staff are also offering a range of support and our website signposts residents to organisations and charities that can help in a variety of ways.”
Full details of support being provided by Lichfield District Council will feature on a dedicated webpage which is being created and will be publicised soon.