Commenting on the publication of the Commission's report, Audrey said:
“This is an important contribution to how we tackle poverty in this part of Scotland. On behalf of West College Scotland, I was delighted to be part of the Commission.
“The College is a major provider of education and, as such, has an important role to play in helping communities across Renfrewshire and the wider West region.
“One of West College Scotland’s strategic priorities is to tackle the deprivation which still mars so many of our communities. I’m confident these recommendations will provide us all with a focus in our efforts to do so.”
The Commission was initiated by Renfrewshire Council in April 2014 to bring a fresh and independent approach on how to break the poverty cycle. It’s hoped the recommendations will help shape a local partnership movement against deprivation, as well as influence national policy.
The Commission has formally asked the Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership to progress its report and recommendations.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
- To halve the number of workers in Renfrewshire paid below the Living Wage.
- To ensure nurseries offer flexible and high quality childcare and that this is used by low income families.
- To tackle the ‘poverty premium’ that sees low income consumers paying higher prices.
- To explore what scope there is to provide free transport to help people get to a new job.
- To ensure local people are at the heart of community regeneration.
- To target more resources to health visiting to improve the health of babies in poverty.
- To link deprivation levels with the allocation of Scottish education resources -Re-think benefit sanctions and trial a new work incentive approach in Renfrewshire.
- To bring primary care providers together with advice providers.
- To roll out the successful Healthier, Wealthier Children (financial support programme for new mums) across the whole area.
- To establish new approaches and expand successful interventions in schools in order to reduce the attainment gap, with a focus on reading and writing, and closer family involvement.
- To reduce the cost of the school day.
- To improve data-sharing of children’s language development reviews.
- To develop innovative and creative partnerships and increase resources for neighbourhood regeneration.
- To create cash streams with independent funders to bring new opportunities for neighbourhood regeneration projects.