INVERCLYDE Council is ready to roll out a £130,000 package of measures to help people stay warm this winter while fuel bills soar.

A £100k grant scheme for 'warm spaces', targeted delivery of special kits containing warm items and a new directory of heated public spaces are among measures the local authority hopes to begin implementing next month.

The support package, dubbed the 'warm hand of friendship', was backed by councillors on the council's policy and resources committee.

Third sector association CVS Inverclyde is set to deliver the six-figure small grants scheme, which will provide cash for voluntary groups wishing to offer warm spaces by hosting additional activities over winter.

The scheme is set to launch on October 3, to coincide with Challenge Poverty Week.

Labour councillor Martin McCluskey welcomed the new scheme, but questioned whether it could reach people not already engaged with council services.

He said: "The pool of people who need it is just going to keep growing over this winter and some of the people who might benefit from things like a warm box might not be in contact with services that we currently run.

"For example, warm boxes are targeted at elderly and those who receive home care.

"School communities are places where there could be a lot of families struggling, but not outwardly.

"That might be a place where some of these things can be made available."

Ruth Binks, the corporate director of education, communities and organisational development at the council, told Cllr McCluskey that the council did not have the funds to offer the scheme more widely.

She said it was hoped that community organisations would adopt the 'warm boxes' idea, or something similar.

The council's new directory of heated buildings will include existing warm spaces such as local libraries, in addition to the new groups that will be opening their doors.

Municipal Buildings bosses have also set £30k aside to send out 'warm boxes' containing items such as blankets, flasks and torches to local elderly people and those who use home care services.

The delivery of the initiative is subject to the plan receiving approval from the local integration joint board.

David Wilson, the council's Conservative group leader, expressed concerns about the level of council involvement in the scheme.

He added: "I'm aware of churches who are already doing this.

"But we've really got to look to the voluntary side here and I'd be quite careful about what we're getting into as a council.

"I think it's a good idea but we should be encouraging the voluntary sector to do it with support from us - this isn't a key objective of this council."