A NEW scheme for providing warm spaces in Hexham is in the pipeline.

A full Hexham Town Council meeting on Monday heard there are plans to set up spaces to allow people in the area to keep warm and access other support as they grapple with soaring energy bills.

Rev. Gareth Sherwood, of Hexham West End Methodist Church, attended the meeting and said following a meeting with community representatives, they plan to open seven spaces across the town for one day a week each between 9am and 5pm from October half-term until Easter.

Rev. Sherwood said they would be like a "community living room", with comfy seating, a TV, internet, somewhere for people to charge their phone, and the opportunity to have teas and coffees.

They also plan to create a 'Warm Space' directory, with spaces in the town that are already free for people to attend listed such as coffee mornings and playgroups, as well as a hot water bottle and blanket bank.

Rev. Sherwood said he had spoken to people who are in full-time work who are worrying about paying their gas bills.

He said he recognises that people "don't always want charity or want to accept it".

"Particularly in Hexham," he said. "It's a relatively wealthy town. With wealth comes a certain level of pride that people are not prepared to give up.

"Having spaces where people can be together, talk and meet, it seems a positive thing."

A number of community spaces and groups have agreed to be involved in the scheme, but they are still looking for two more hosting spaces, said Rev. Sherwood, ideally on the east side of the town.

Rev. Sherwood said the six-month scheme will cost about £2,000 per space.

Coun. Stephen Ball said he would be in favour of the town council offering some sort of financial help.

"These are very difficult times for people and I think it might be a refuge for people, not just about people keeping warm but about keeping sane," he said.

Mayor of Hexham Derek Kennedy said he thought the "general mood" is that the council will look to provide some funding, and told Rev. Sherwood the council's clerk will be in touch regarding applying for funding.

At the same meeting, councillors agreed to adopt a 'poverty proofing' policy agreed by its community engagement committee.

The policy says: "While Hexham enjoys a reputation as an affluent place to live and has been named the ‘happiest place in the UK’, the reality for many families in our town is very different.

"West Northumberland Food Bank has seen the demand for help increase more than any other town in West Northumberland in the last year."

It adds 24 per cent of children in West Northumberland are growing up in poverty.

The policy's aims include collaborating with Hexham-based stakeholders to identify ways in which Hexham Town Council can use its influence to effect positive change and reduce poverty in the town, improving the health and wellbeing of the community, and promoting jobs, apprenticeships, and work experience within Hexham.

The town council said to achieve these aims, some of the things they will do include working "proactively" with Northumberland County Council and "draw upon their considerable resources to support low-income households in Hexham", working with West Northumberland Foodbank and No. 28, and using social media and other lines of communication to signpost those experiencing poverty to funding and support.

READ MORE: Village pub provides a 'warm space' for those in need