Inside Salisbury: Network Rail, £2m household support fund, and urgent warning to dog owners
Bumper news issue - check travel plans this Christmas, protect your pets and household support fund for struggling residents
By Annette J Beveridge
GOVERNMENT funding is now available across the county to help those who are otherwise struggling to buy food, pay utility bills or meet essential living costs.
Wiltshire Council has confirmed today (Tuesday, November 19) that it will continue to distribute £2.7m of Household Support Fund in partnership with a number of local organisations and internal departments. This is for the period 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.
The funding is intended to support a wide range of low-income households in need, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people, larger families, single-person households and those struggling with one-off financial shocks or unforeseen events.
Cabinet Member for Public Health, Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, said, “Working in partnership with local organisations and charities, who are able to reach those in need in our community, has already enabled us to successfully deliver previous rounds of household support fund to households that are struggling during the current cost-of-living challenges.
“We are pleased that the Government announced in the recent budget that funding will continue in 2025-26 and we await further details about this. We also hope the government will put in place a long-term strategy for providing support to those struggling with the cost of living.”
Wiltshire Council has also identified that support is required for the homeless/rough sleepers, Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Boater Communities.
Government guidance on how the funding can be used for the costs of clothing including school uniforms, period and hygiene products, delivery, and installation of essential items such as fridges, freezers and ovens has been received.
Funding can also be used for one-off payments to prevent a crisis.
Local Authorities have the flexibility to identify which households are in most need of support and apply their own discretion when identifying eligibility. There is an expectation that funds should go to those most in need and in particular, to those who may not be eligible for the other support that the Government recently made available.
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, added: “This latest allocation of funding is primarily to provide crisis support to those most in need, with a smaller proportion of funding also available for preventative support. Support for those in crisis will be provided via the Council and our Voluntary Community Services including: Citizens Advice, Trussell Trust and Age UK, who will have financial outreach workers throughout Wiltshire.”
Earlier allocations of the Household Support Fund have been distributed to families, disabled people and older adults through over 90 different schemes. Food, furniture, rent contributions, fuel support and advice are key areas where schemes have made a difference through government funding since it was first introduced in October 2021.
So far there has been a positive impact on both individuals and families and it has improved food security for vulnerable communities as well as filling gaps in the social safety net.
Other partners included:
Centre for Sustainable Energy - boiler and heating and food and fuel vouchers
Wiltshire Citizens Advice
Nelson Trust
Turning Point
A number of housing associations with hardship fund support
Information about the Household Support Fund is available at Household Support Fund 6
Wiltshire Council also provides cost-of-living advice and support, which can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living.
Warning as dogs could be poisoned by this common product
Temperatures are dropping and antifreeze used in de-icing products, screen washing and car engines contains a highly toxic substance that can cause illness or even death in pets if ingested.
The Dogs Trust in Salisbury is warning owners to be extra careful this winter.
Anti-freeze contains ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance that can cause severe illness or even death in pets if ingested and even the smallest amount can be deadly.
Senior Veterinary Surgeon at the Dogs Trust, Charlie Dobson, said: “Antifreeze is extremely dangerous for dogs, and other pets, because even a small amount can lead to serious, often fatal, health issues. Unfortunately, because it has a sweet taste it can be particularly enticing to pets.
“The best way to protect your dog is to keep all antifreeze and de-icing products securely stored, avoid using them around your dog, and seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect they’ve ingested any.”
Because of its sweet taste, it can be tempting for animals to drink if left in an accessible area or if spilt onto driveways and roads. Unfortunately, the ethylene glycol it contains can cause acute, irreversible kidney failure and neurological issues.
Symptoms of poisoning may not appear immediately, but early signs to watch for include:
Vomiting
Lethargy and weakness
Unsteady or drunken-like behaviour
Increased thirst and urination
Rapid breathing
Seizures or muscle twitching
If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, contact a vet immediately as prompt treatment is vital to prevent irreversible damage and, if left untreated, ingestion of antifreeze can lead to kidney failure, coma, and death. The faster treatment begins, the better the chances for a full recovery.
Are you travelling this Christmas?
EXTENSIVE engineering works over the festive season have been announced by Network Rail.
The upgrade is intended to improve the reliability of the service and will affect passengers who use the Wessex route including Wiltshire, Somerset, Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey and Berkshire.
The upgrades will begin on Sunday, December 15 and continue until Sunday, January 5.
Note: No direct trains will be available between Exeter/Salisbury and London Waterloo during this time.
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