Agenda item

RESOLVED: That Cabinet;

1)    Approved the West Northamptonshire Anti-Poverty Strategy 2022-2025 for adoption and implementation by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

2)    Approved the continued engagement of our community, partners and community and voluntary sector organisations to develop a robust set of action plans, aligned to the objectives set out in the strategy and the a performance framework which will underpin the strategy.

3)    Approved the creation of an additional delivery fund to underpin the strategy, namely ‘Community Health and Wellbeing Innovation Fund’ using available Public Health Grant Reserve. That the strategy includes a commitment to produce an annual summary detailing key achievements and challenges faced in the preceding year.

REASONS RESOLVED:

1)    Approval of the strategy will lead to a fairer and more inclusive West Northamptonshire, where everyone is able to live their best life, prosperous and fulfilling, free from poverty and inequality.

2)    The strategy will deliver the following outcomes:

·         An improvement in population health and wellbeing.

·         Fewer households (and children) living in poverty.

·         An increase in average household incomes and wages

·         Fewer people unemployed and in receipt of out of work benefits.

·         An increase in the number of people paid at least the real Living Wage.

·         An increase in the amount of lower cost rented and social housing

·         Fewer young people aged 16-17 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

·         Fewer people with no qualifications or skills training.

·         Reduce the impact of fuel poverty on families

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

None

At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Matt Golby presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Members were advised that it was important that the Council had a clear strategy in place in order to hold itself to account. It was noted that there was a wealth of experience within the council as well as within the voluntary sector which would help with this, the Hope Centre being an example. Members were advised that the Poverty Truth Commission would be kept open. It’s main role would continue to be interacting with residents who live in poverty.

Councillors made the following comments.

• It was noted that this was an excellent piece of work and the commitment made to work together needed to continue.
• Officers had been very receptive to feedback as well as voluntary sector groups.
• It was felt that a ‘poverty assessment’ could now be added as a recommendation on the report templates, as a variety of complex issues can add to poverty.
• It was advised that many residents had asked about how to access vouchers, as at times it had been unclear.
• It was noted that there had been a huge increase in domestic bills which included heating and fuel.
• Not many residents knew of the hardship fund, it was important that this information was made easily accessible to the public. 
• The statistics available with regards to fuel prices dated back to 2019. The question of whether there were more up to date figures was raised.
• It was noted that the household support fund needed to be inclusive of all users.

Councillor Golby made the following comments in response.

• The additional recommendation was a valid point and will be looked into.
• It was important to make sure that both rural and non-rural poverty is addressed. Rural exclusion must be taken into account.

The Chief Executive advised that the original hardship fund had ended on the 31^st March, with other schemes now in operation in its place.

Councillor Adam Brown noted that the terms of the household support fund had been amended and fuel oil would now be covered. Northampton Partnership Homes would continue to invest within West Northants including Talavera ward. Members were advised that stable and affordable homes go hand in hand with poverty.

The Chair reminded members it was important to work towards eliminating inequality across the whole of West Northants.

Councillor Phil Larratt noted that community facilities were an important part of a community.

Councillor Rebecca Breese agreed that all councillors should know where to point constituents to for help. 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet;

1.    Approved the West Northamptonshire Anti-Poverty Strategy 2022-2025 for adoption and implementation by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

2.    Approved the continued engagement of our community, partners and community and voluntary sector organisations to develop a robust set of action plans, aligned to the objectives set out in the strategy and the performance framework which will underpin the strategy.

3.    Approved the creation of an additional delivery fund to underpin the strategy, namely ‘Community Health and Wellbeing Innovation Fund’ using available Public Health Grant Reserve. That the strategy includes a commitment to produce an annual summary detailing key achievements and challenges faced in the preceding year