What this consultation is about
Working together to tackle poverty in Derbyshire is not new. There is a wealth of action and work already taking place through a range partnerships and agencies such as the Financial Action and Advice Derbyshire partnership, the Local Authority Energy Partnership and Public Health partnerships, aimed at improving financial inclusion and capability, reducing fuel poverty and reducing health inequalities.
However, the recent economic downturn, the rising costs of goods and services and extensive welfare reforms present significant challenges for partners at a time when public services across the county are facing significant cuts to their budgets.
This draft strategy sets out the approach that we will take to tackle poverty across the county against a backdrop of reducing public sector resources and a growing demand for services. While we are ambitious, we have to be clear that partners are limited in their ability to make the structural changes required to end poverty in all its forms. Instead, we will focus effort on mitigating the effects of poverty and supporting those who are most at risk.
The strategy brings together the valuable work taking place across the Derbyshire, identifying the key challenges and the actions which are currently being undertaken by partners across the county. By bringing together action, partners have been able to identify opportunities for joining work and activity and better coordinating the strategic partnership response. It has also helped identify areas of potential duplication, gaps in current delivery and those areas where the forum will add value, which will be essential if partners are to address the scale of the challenge ahead.
The consultation is now closed. Derbyshire's Anti-Poverty Strategy 2014 - 2017 is available on the Derbyshire Partnership Forum.