The wide-ranging work taking place across Calderdale to tackle the impacts of the rising cost of living, is being highlighted in the 2024 Anti-Poverty Annual Report and Action Plan.
Reducing inequalities is one of Calderdale Council’s priorities, with a key focus of supporting residents with the cost of living crisis. The Council works closely alongside partners and the wider community with an aim of helping residents to live an active, healthy and fulfilled life, free from money worries and poverty.
The Calderdale Anti-Poverty Annual Report and Action Plan was first produced in 2018 and has been updated each year to highlight key issues, as well as the work that has been undertaken and is planned across the borough. At the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 10 February, members will consider the 2024 report and action plan.
The Anti-Poverty Action Plan has three key priorities:
- Prevention: To prevent local residents from falling into poverty.
- Intervention: To provide support to local residents who have fallen into poverty, to bring them back out of poverty.
- Resilience: To provide local residents with the tools to help them stay out of poverty.
The Council has a longstanding commitment to work in partnership with statutory and voluntary sector partners and work is coordinated through the borough’s Anti-Poverty Partnership. The work of the partnership is informed by the action plan to ensure resources are directed where they will have the greatest impact.
The partnership now has over 30 members and includes organisations with a wide and diverse reach whose work directly contributes to specific areas of the action plan. Work across the partnership aims to highlight local support and how staff and volunteers can effectively provide information, guidance and signposting help to residents.
Over the last 12 months, there has been a particular recognition of the difficult choices many households face between heating their homes and covering other essential needs. To respond to these challenges, work has taken place to develop an affordable warmth plan, with resources for organisations and frontline workers.
As part of a successful events programme, the Anti-Poverty Partnership also held an event in October focused on how organisations can support low-income households to stay warm and live sustainably.
This report outlines further key issues and challenges and also features case studies to show the impact of collaborative efforts in tackling poverty and changing the lives of residents facing complex challenges.
The Council’s Cabinet will be asked to note the report and to support the partnership’s approach to tackling poverty and the cost of living crisis. This includes efforts to seek new ways and opportunities to strengthen joint co-ordinated action.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Danielle Durrans, said:
“Our important work to reduce inequalities across Calderdale includes a real focus on tackling poverty and supporting people to face the challenges of the cost of living crisis.
“The Anti-Poverty Annual Report and Action Plan, provides structure for this vital work, ensuring resources are directed where they’re needed most and sharing learning and opportunities across partner organisations to ensure we can reach as many people as possible.
“Sadly, we’re seeing more people reaching crisis point than in previous years and demand for debt and welfare advice services remains high. This report acknowledges the serious challenges in tackling the many issues brought on by poverty and the rising cost of living, while also showcasing the outstanding efforts of local partners.”
The Anti-Poverty Action Plan and Annual Report will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 10 February 2025 at Halifax Town Hall. The meeting will also be live streamed online at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link)