East Lothian Community Planning Partnership

ELCPP Logo

NEWS

Tackling Poverty
04/07/2011
Training In Researching Poverty At A Community Level
A new session of the Researching Poverty at Community Level training programm... MORE
Tackling Poverty
30/03/2011
East Lothian Diversity Network Newsletter Out Now!
 The spring edition of the East Lothian Diversity Newsletter is now... MORE
Tackling Poverty
23/03/2011
Fairer East Lothian Fund - Now Open
The Fairer East Lothian Fund is Open for Applications ... MORE
ALL NEWS

EVENTS

ALL EVENTS

TACKLING POVERTY

poverty polaroidsThe Tackling Poverty Theme Group focuses on tackling the root causes of poverty in East Lothian. Members bring expertise from a range of backgrounds including housing, health, community development, financial inclusion and debt and money advice.

Concentrated pockets of multiple deprivation can be found in the west of East Lothian, though there are individuals living in poverty across East Lothian. For a full understanding of poverty, please read the East Lothian Poverty Profile. 

This Theme Group aims to:

  • improve understanding of poverty in East Lothian
  • identify the key priorities in tackling poverty
  • ensure an outcome focused approach to tackling the root causes of poverty
  • advise on the administration of the Fairer East Lothain Fund including the allocation of funding, the development of project tenders and other considerations.
  • identify the ‘added value' of the Fairer East Lothian Fund in tackling poverty

Consultation on our Tackling Poverty Strategy 2011-2013

This strategy is built on SOA Outcome 6 'fewer people will experience poverty in East Lothian'. To achieve change we need to focus on those who are most vulnerable to falling into poverty and seek to support those who are already living in poverty by empowering them to step out of poverty or to mitigate against its harshest impacts.  The strategy is built on three elements:

  1. People and Places: understanding who is experiencing poverty in East Lothian, its root causes and effects on life chances.
  2. The Money in My Pocket: considering the harmful stress caused by financial worries, how people can maximise the resources they have available, tackling financial exclusion and building financial capability.
  3. A Good Future for Me and My family: considering the ways we give people the skills and capabilities needed to get prevent them falling into poverty in the future, e.g. working with those furthest from the labour market, increasing confidence to access existing services and developing core life skills, such as parenting skills and attachment.

The Tackling Poverty Theme Group sought comments on this strategy from members of the public, community groups and other community planning partners. Here are the three consultation documents:

1. Draft Tackling Poverty Strategy Consultation Document

2. Draft Tackling Poverty Strategy Action Plan Consultation Document

3. Short Presentation on the strategy

The Tackling Poverty Plan has been delayed but will be in place by April 2013. For further information contact:  [email protected]

Fairer East Lothian Fund

The Fairer East Lothian Fund delivers the following short-term outcomes, which contribute to SOA Outcome 6:

  • Fewer people in East Lothian will be financially excluded.
  • Financial capability in East Lothian will be improved.
  • The life chances of people at risk of falling into poverty, or already living in poverty, will be improved.
  • People in East Lothian will have better access to advice and information services, including debt and money advice

SOA TACKLING POVERTY THEME GROUP

CHAIR:
PAOLO VESTRIemail
Corporate Policy Manager
East Lothian Council

 

NETWORK OF GROUPS
MEMBERS
SIMON, BAIN
East Lothian Council
JOHN, BOYCE
Public Health
East Lothian Community Health Partnership
ALAN, BROWN
Chair
East Lothian Community Care Forum
YVONNE, CASSIDY
Manager, Musselburgh CAB
Musselburgh CAB
MARION, CONNOLLY
Senior Welfare Rights Officer
East Lothian Council
JOHN, CUNNINGHAM
Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services
East Lothian Council
MYRA, GALLOWAY
Culture & Community Development
East Lothian Council
ANNE, HASTIE
Haddington Citizens Advice Bureau
CATHERINE, JOHNSON
Strategic Policy Officer (Private Sector),Comm Hous and Prop Mgmt
East Lothian Council
JACQUI, LESLIE
Economic Development
East Lothian Council
STEVEN, WRAY
Public Health Practitioner
Mid and East Lothian Community Health Partnerships

SOA OUTCOMES

  • 6. Fewer people experience poverty in East Lothian
EAST LOTHIAN PERFORMS

TACKLING THE IMPACT OF WELFARE REFORM

The UK government is making big changes to the benefits and tax credits system over the next few years because of the Welfare Reform Act 2012. Partners are working together to prepare for the impact of these reforms on people and communities in East Lothian - this will be a key area of work in the forthcoming Tackling Poverty Plan. 

Meanwhile, find out about these changes on East Lothian Council's Welfare Reform pages, including a video, a housing benefit leaflet and information on changes to housing benefit.