This comes a year after the council approved almost £200,000 to mitigate the effects of controversial reforms such as the “Bedroom Tax”.

It was also revealed that more than £20 million a year is to be lost from East Renfrewshire as a result of coming reforms.

This comes as the council prepares for major changes to disability benefits, and how it will affect Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor residents.

The report, delivered by Council leader Jim Fletcher, said: “In June 2013, Cabinet noted the progress which had been made at that date to mitigate the impacts of Welfare Reform and approved an initial allocation of £189,000 to be drawn from the Welfare Reform contingency sum provided in the 2013/14 Council estimates.

“This sum financed the appointment of 6.5 full time members of staff in services which were already feeling pressure in supporting residents who had been adversely affected by welfare reforms.

“Also included in this sum was £40,000 of additional grant funding to East Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau which was awarded for the same reason.” A recent report published by Scottish Government suggests that once the current programme of welfare reforms is implemented the loss of resource in East Renfrewshire will be £20 million a year equivalent to £350 a year for every working age adult in the area.

A new project was also revealed at the meeting which is aimed at helping residents who are suffering from the effcts of the extensive reforms, and it will be run from a Barrhead charity’s building.

The report continued: “The project which is to be located in Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire (Kelburn Street, Barrhead), will provide advice and referral to specialist advisers on issues relating to housing, financial inclusion, benefits sanctions, further education and employment opportunities.

It will also sign post residents to agencies which can provide assistance in crises.

“The project is planned to run for one year and costs are estimated to be £100,000 with £45,000 to be provided by DWP, £5,000 from Voluntary Action and £50,000 by the Council.” More information on the project will be released soon.