COUNCILLORS in Dunfermline have agreed to allocate £33,000 from their local community planning budget towards helping individuals and families struggling with poverty.

The cash, approved by the City of Dunfermline area committee last Tuesday, will support the recruitment of a temporary welfare support assistant.

The move comes amid ongoing concerns about the cost of living and spiralling fuel bills, and it's hoped the money will help Fife Council to target support where it's needed most.

An allocation of £6,080 has also been made from the Winter Crisis Fund to part-fund the role.

The new recruit will work with the Dunfermline Poverty Action Group to maximise people’s incomes from benefits, prevent homelessness and ensure early support to stop people getting into financial difficulties.

Committee convener Councillor Helen Law said: “This will be a very welcome addition to the team because the team have been really under pressure in recent years.

“We’ve already put extra resources into the team but having an extra officer, even temporary, will help greatly.” 

In addition, funding has also been secured to develop and expand a food resilience project, obtain portable IT equipment for people in need and for training and supporting volunteers.

A Tackling Poverty and Preventing Crisis action plan is due to be established as part of the Dunfermline Community Learning and Development Plan and the Dunfermline Local Community Plan for 2022-2023.