AN EMERGENCY cost-of-living budget to help groups and organisations in the Wellington area support those struggling to make ends meet has been increased by concerned councillors.

The WWN reported last week how Wellington Town Council’s finance committee had recommended that £20,000 be put aside to back partner organisations to help people get through the winter as soaring energy prices and inflation bite.

But at Monday’s full council meeting, members were concerned that £20,000 would not be enough to meet the demand.

Cllr Chris Booth said: “I am very much in support of this, but I can see problems coming forward more and more. We need to get on with this.

“But I can also see this money disappearing quite quickly. We will run out of money and I think we should increase the amount to £35,000.”

This increase was approved, with the Mayor, Cllr Mark Lithgow, saying later: “I am delighted that the town council agreed to this proposal unanimously and actually agreed to put more funding in to the budget.”

Responding to the proposal to increase the budget, Cllr Andrew Govier said at the meeting: “I completely support what Cllr Booth has said and it’s highly likely that we will need to increase it. We aren’t at that stage yet where the problems have started to hit home yet.

“It doesn’t mean to say that we are going to spend that amount, but at least we will have the money there in the budget if it’s needed.

“Cllr Booth has hit the nail on the head. I hope that over the next couple of years this situation will start to get better, but this winter and next winter there will be problems.

“I am sure that people in Wellington will welcome this support we are offering.”

Cllr Sam Booker added: “£35,000 is an initial budget which will give us the flexibility.”

All 14 councillors at Monday’s council meeting voted unanimously to support the recommendation that £35,000 should be budgeted.