Cabinet received and considered Minute OSC21/53 arising from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) held on 14 March 2022 regarding the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy.  A copy of the draft Strategy and consultation plan were attached to the report at Appendices A and B respectively for approval for consultation purposes. 

The proposed strategy had originated from the work of the Anti-Poverty Task and Finish Group (APT&FG) and had been developed between key local partners.  An Anti-Poverty Strategy Steering Group (APSSG) would be formed to begin to deliver the high level aims and actions that had been identified in the Strategy, once approved and adopted.  The APSSG would identify gaps in service provision and areas where greater collaboration and coordination between services could support improved outcomes for the Council’s residents.

The Strategy was regarded as an important first step towards developing a more comprehensive response to tackling poverty locally and would assist the Council in delivering on several objectives that aspire to improve the economic, housing, health and wellbeing outcomes of residents in the Corporate Plan.

Cabinet were pleased to approve the Strategy for consultation and paid tribute to the work of the APT&FG, officers and Rother Voluntary Action.  Any future comments from Members could be fed through Councillor Coleman, as the Council’s spokesperson for Young Persons/Child Poverty.  The APSSG would provide periodic progress updates to the Rother Local Strategic Partnership in its role as the governing body responsible for monitoring the Strategy and reporting progress to the East Sussex Strategic Partnership. 

RESOLVED: That the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy be approved for consultation with key stakeholders and the wider population of Rother.