Elected Member Briefing Note 2025, No. 157
About this Briefing Note
Report by: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities
EMBN Number: 157-25
Date: 8 December 2025
Subject: Update on Warm Welcome Fund
Responsible Officer: Karen Evans, Team Leader - CLD
Details
Purpose
To provide an update on the successful delivery of the Warm Spaces initiative for 2025/26
Briefing Information
The 2025/26 Warm Spaces programme has been delivered through the new Fairer Communities for All funding process, with £150,000 allocated to support community-led provision.
Demand for funding was strong, with applications totalling £178,443.06. To ensure fair distribution and maximise impact, a funding cap of £3,000 per group was introduced, and all applicants willingly adapted their plans.
Warm Spaces are more than just warm environments, they offer wider support to attendees, including signposting to cost-of-living services and hosting practical advice sessions such as welfare rights and home energy support. This holistic approach ensures that residents receive both comfort and practical help.
Reach and Impact
A total of 95 Warm Spaces will operate across Perth & Kinross, reflecting local needs and strong community engagement:
- Carse of Gowrie: 4
- Strathmore: 18
- Blairgowrie and The Glens: 12
- Highland: 12
- Strathtay: 7
- Strathearn: 9
- Strathallan: 6
- Kinross-shire: 8
- Almond and Earn: 7
- Perth City South: 0
- Perth City North: 2
- Perth City Centre: 10
This distribution also reflects key factors such as higher levels of poverty, rural isolation, and strong volunteer networks.
Current Position
All successful applicants have been notified and many spaces are already operational as payments have been processed promptly.
An interactive online map is now available to help residents find their nearest Warm Space.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Evaluation guidance has been issued to all groups to ensure projects can be evaluated in order to demonstrate impact. Deadline for evaluation submissions will be mid-April 2026 with final impact report scheduled for completion in May 2026,
This year's Warm Spaces programme highlights the power of community collaboration and the impact of targeted support for those who need it most. By combining a welcoming environment with practical assistance, the initiative continues to make a real difference across Perth and Kinross, helping to deliver the Council's overarching vision: a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality.
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