To approve the Child Poverty Strategy 2011-2015.

Councillor Hyde, Cabinet Support Team Member Children’s Services presented the report to Cabinet on behalf of the Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing.  The following points were made during discussion:

·         The Child Poverty Strategy is a statutory document.  A partnership steering group that included the voluntary sector was formed to develop the strategy and provide a co-ordinated approach to tackling child poverty.

·         Currently 4,685 under 16 year olds were in poverty.  The figure was expected to increase in the present economic climate. 

·         The average working income for the county was less than £20k significantly below the average both regionally and nationally.  Additionally rural families needed a 24% higher income to keep pace with urban families.

·         Cabinet agreed it was the responsibility of the Council to ensure that there was an increase in skilled work in the county which would provide better incomes for families.

·         The apprenticeship strategy was seen as a key element of addressing youth unemployment.

·         In discussing housing it was noted that families could be in temporary accommodation for up to 12 months and it was felt that more could be done to address this issue.

Cabinet was reminded of the information that had recently been sent to all Members on the proposed changes to the use of Children’s Centres.  The Cabinet Member Enterprise and Culture moved the report which was seconded by the Cabinet Member Environment, Housing and Planning.

RESOLVED

              THAT:

a)    the Child Poverty Strategy be approved; and,

b)    the approach to the delivery and accountability/governance arrangements of the strategy and the approach to updating the strategy and needs assessment be approved.