Category

• Emerging Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Mitigation
• Awareness

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Poverty driver

• Reduce cost of living
• Non-driver - improving quality of life

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Keywords

• Rural Poverty
• Rural Poverty Premium
• Reduce Poverty and Inequality
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Stigma

Aim

To champion the reduction in poverty levels and associated stigma across Perth & Kinross.

To use its influence across public sector, private sector and its communities to drive necessary and urgent action.

To provide a co-ordinating focal point for all the current activities aimed at reducing inequalities – child poverty, fuel poverty, food supply, rural poverty premium etc.

Shape further development of actions and activities through co-production, guidance, and feedback.

Oversee delivery of mitigating actions and their impact through regular monitoring

Summary

The Perth and Kinross Anti-poverty Taskforce provides independent active leadership and support for cross-sector collaboration and action to help those most affected by poverty and the cost-of-living crisis. The Taskforce draws upon expertise from across the area and offers meaningful support to those experiencing poverty and most at risk from rising costs. It also provides a co-ordinating focal point for all the current activities aimed at reducing inequalities – child poverty, fuel poverty, food supply, rural poverty premium. The Taskforce uses its influence across public and private sectors, as well as in communities in Perth and Kinross.

What difference does it make?

Co-ordinated an approach on Cash First – CAB secured funding from Trussell trust to develop a cash first partnership.

Building on relationships to improve inter-connections e.g. CAB, Welfare Rights, third sector etc.

Co-ordinated a Multi-agency approach and communications in response to the cost-of-living crisis and in particular winter planning arrangements.

Facilitated the expansion of the use of Perth Gift card in local supermarkets to promote a ‘Cash First’ approach.

Explored a community minibus trial in Letham and facilitated MIDAS training for volunteers.

Worked on mapping the landscape of Poverty in PKC.

Started to develop a communications plan.

Proposed a scheme for disposal of council minibuses to local community groups.

Initiated discussion with Stagecoach to provide free bus travel to foodbanks.

Organisations

Third Sector organisations and anchor institutions across Perth and Kinross.

Location

Perth & Kinross Council area

Began in October 2022 and went live in December.

Key take-aways

• It is intended that the Task Force becomes the oversight body for the council’s poverty strategy, being uniquely placed to provide a range of scrutiny, challenge and most importantly support from across the breadth of organisations involved.
• There is a co-ordinated approach to promote and develop cash first payments.
• The Task Force facilitates a multi-agency response to the cost-of-living crisis, particularly, winter planning arrangements.

 

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