£380k for pensioners

Eitan Grant - Eitan Grant • Last updated 29 Dec 2008 14:40

Pensioners are cheering after Santa decided to give them an extra present this festive season.

More than 17,000 senior citizens got the surprise seasonal bonus which will come as a welcome boost to many.

Money chiefs at Renfrewshire Council have put aside £380,000 to give everyone over the age of 70 and their spouses or partners an extra £22 gift voucher.

The present has been sent out in time for Christmas.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay said: 'This is a difficult time for everyone financially and with Christmas almost upon us I am delighted that we have made £380,000 of extra funding available to help Renfrewshire"s senior citizens.

'Making the vouchers available in winter will have practical benefits for pensioners, including making the festive season a little easier, or they can still be used in Spring or Summer as before.

'I would urge all of those eligible to take advantage of the extra vouchers this year which are now available.'

The move was approved by the council"s General Management and Finance Policy Board, giving a seasonal bonus to the area"s most vulnerable elderly residents.

Senior citizens who enjoyed a credit to their council tax or housing rent account will be offered that alternative to the gift voucher.

As part of the revamped scheme the Council will no longer offer council run outings in the future. Instead the £22 gift vouchers will be issued to the 700 or so senior citizens who previously opted for an outing.

Gift vouchers are accepted in many high street stores and supermarkets, as well as local corner shops. They can also be exchanged at Braehead, for a Braehead Shopping Voucher, or for a sail on The Waverley.

This will allow senior citizens the choice of using the gift voucher in the spring or summer if they prefer.

The council has made arrangements with selected hotels in Ayr and Dunoon to accept the gift voucher so that senior citizens can visit these places at their leisure.

Other hotel groups and entertainment places are also being asked by the Council to participate in the gift voucher scheme.

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This article appeared in The Gazette 29 Dec 08

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