An anti-poverty strategy for York council will be reviewed next week before being considered for approval by Full Council. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategy is titled ‘Tackling Poverty Today and Turning the Tide to Create Lasting Change’ and sets out to create a ten year strategy and action plan to address poverty in the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, said: “Poverty has been an unacceptable fact of life in our city for too many people and for too long.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scheme is shaped through consultation with residents, communities and partner organisations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It describes the approach the council will take over the next decade to reduce the number of people experiencing poverty in York now and in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategy builds on York’s history of addressing poverty, through the work of Joseph and Seebohm Rowntree, with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation considered a world leading authority on tackling deprivation today.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cllr Claire Douglas added: “Bringing partners together with a collective commitment, ambition and clear focus for the next decade, I hope, will build on York\u2019s strong social justice history of anti-poverty campaigners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It will make a tangible difference to the lives of people and families living in poverty, not just now, but for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The University of York and Policy in Practice have looked at data from the LIFT (low income family tracker) platform to understand the prevalence of poverty in the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By focusing on households in receipt of benefits, their research found that nearly 4000 households in the city in either relative or deep poverty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is hoped that the final action plan will include a shared definition of poverty that all partners use, key performance indictors, three objectives that address issues today, an action plan setting out actions already underway and a recognition that some communities are more affected than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is apart of a wider package to support those living with poverty, this includes the York Hungry Minds initiate to provide free school meals to primary school children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n