Stockport’s new Labour Executive has announced £150,000 of emergency funding for local charities and voluntary groups following months of Lib Dem failure to deliver on the public promises made when they ran the Council.

Labour Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care Wendy Wild said ‘Urgently providing transitional funding for voluntary groups affected by recent cuts across Stockport has been a key priority during my first few weeks as Deputy Leader of the Council.

‘I’m delighted to be able to announce today that the Executive has agreed £50,000 will be allocated to groups providing support for carers and their families. The Council recognises the vital work done by people who support loved-ones living with long-term conditions.

‘£50,000 has also been made available for groups working with residents that have severe and enduring mental health conditions, recognising the important link there is better improved physical health and better mental health outcomes.’

The money will be available for organisations affected by cuts to grants as part of the Lib Dem’s implementation of a ‘Preventative Commissioning Strategy’.

A straight-forward and easily accessible application process will be launched by the Council later in July.

The investment will be ring-fenced for groups who historically have received Council support but which no longer get funding from being part of either the Targeted Prevention Alliance or the Wellbeing and Independence Network.

Executive Councillor for Children and Family Services Colin Foster added ‘I am pleased to be able to announce £50,000 of funding for groups working with vulnerable local young people – this is a sector which has been particularly badly hit by austerity.

‘The role played by the voluntary and community sector in supporting our young people is significant and highly valued in Stockport.

‘Organisations will receive this one-off public investment to support their existing work for a 12 month period and ensure that they have time to transition to a sustainable footing.’

The investment has been allocated from a one-off transitional fund of £1.022 million which was announced on 8th February 2016 to help mitigate some of the worst impact of cuts imposed on Stockport by central Government.