A WORKING group set up in Ellesmere to tackle food and fuel poverty has made progress by securing a possible site for future work.

The group, headed up by town mayor Councillor Anne Wignall, had arranged with The Mere Cafe, in Church Street, to be able to host days for people to use the community cupboard style project.

However, the cafe has reportedly closed on a permanent basis so Our Space, in Trimpley Street, has stepped in to act as a base for the group.

Cllr Wignall said: "I had a positive meeting with Our Space in Ellesmere and think a lot of projects will move forward with it.

"They have a larder space to host food and may do a minimum of two mornings a week but maybe also an afternoon or weekend too."

The mayor added that St Mary’s Church wants to contribute volunteers to the project.

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Meanwhile, it was added that investigations will be made whether to set up a stall at Winterfestival to help with fuel advice can be done.

Also on Monday, councillors received correspondence from the Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC) on whether Ellesmere Library could be used as a warm bank on days that it was closed.

Councillors also decided that individuals would be to put their name to a NHS Crisis Statement in Shropshire, rather than support from the whole council.

The decision comes after a presentation from Oswestry-based Sian Tasker calling for help to address social care issues which would relieve the stress on Shropshire NHS services.

However, while one councillor – Graham Hutchinson – said he would sign, others felt the issue was a national one and felt council support would not be enough.