Minutes:
The Panel received a presentation from Nora Corkery, Chief Executive of Devon Communities Together (DCT) on the work being done to support EDDC’s Anti-Poverty Strategy.
DCT is an independent charity that helps to enable and empower communities across Devon to tackle rural insecurities and inequalities and address the issues that are important to them. DCT has been working in Devon for 63 years, engaging and collaborating with rural communities and proactively tackling poverty in rural areas.
Since April 2023 DCT has been in partnership with EDDC funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (with support from DEFRA), under a three year contract to deliver a programme of voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) capacity building in East Devon. It is working alongside grass roots voluntary and community groups in the district, reviewing needs, providing training and fundraising support, and developing new ways of working on and influencing district-wide policy and service development. The primary aim is to strengthen and coordinate support for the VCSE sector in East Devon so that groups are better equipped to achieve their social purpose.
The Chief Executive of DCT listed rural social determinants during the presentation and explained that many of these were very interconnected, with a number of different issues coming together to bring a household into poverty. It was recognised that the indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) that scored levels of deprivation, often disguised pockets of deprivation in rural areas. The IMD indicated that East Devon was not experiencing high levels of deprivation, however DCT are aware that locally, there are hidden pockets of high deprivation, which are overlooked.
The IMD was criticised as being biased against rural geographies by focussing on concentrations of deprivation in small areas, whereas rural deprivation was more dispersed. Many of the IMD measures are urban-oriented and some rural concerns are under-reported or not reported at all. Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) are working with DEFRA on the development of new rural deprivation IMC weightings.
The Devon Health and Wellbeing Board brought in specific indicators, and this was illustrated during the presentation on a cost of living dashboard. This demonstrated that Devon was being proactive in recognising that different data was needed.
The Citizens Advice cost of living and deprivation report and debt red index showed that:
· 80,000 people living in Devon had more money going out every month than coming in.
· Negative budgets are an increasing problem in the county.
· Energy costs and housing are the key costs pushing many low-income households into the red.
The idea around the financial resilience pilot project with EDDC is based on being proactive, with different organisations coming together to work together with rural communities.
· Building financial resilience in rural communities is crucial for economic stability and wellbeing.
· The EDDC Poverty Strategy was commended by the LGA Peer Review, in that it recognises the importance of diverse stakeholders working together in a whole system approach to achieve sustainable poverty reduction in rural areas.
· Greater understanding of individual/localised needs would support the collective ability to address root causes, identify gaps, and build on support and assets already in place.
The aims and objectives of the financial resilience project were outlined in the presentation and noted by the Poverty Working Panel. From the Financial Resilience Pilot, the aim is to scale up the Project across the district.
The Panel noted the East Devon Financial Resilience Group partnership members, and the activity to date this year. The scoping work began at the beginning of the year and the first formal meeting of all the partners took place in September, with the second meeting taking place in October 2024 to consider a short list of communities where the local pilot could commence. The DCT Chief Executive explained the next steps for the pilot, including engaging with local businesses and the establishment of a Community Steering Group.
On behalf of the Panel the Chair thanked the Chief Executive of DCT for her presentation.