Inverclyde joins poverty forum
Inverclyde Council has agreed to join a cross-party group focussed on poverty issues across Scotland.
For, the council has joined the Scottish Local Government Forum Against Poverty.
The group, which brings together Council representatives from across Scotland, aims to drive forward anti-poverty campaigns and make sure councils are engaged in issues which affect poverty in Scotland, including welfare reform.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, Leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “Working together with council colleagues across Scotland is an important step in ensuring that Scottish councils are fully engaged in the issues around poverty in our country. The forum aims to share best practice in a range of areas which every council is working on. That’s never been more important than at a time when welfare reform is high on the agenda and when council budgets are under heavy pressure.”
Councillor Matt Kerr, Chair of the Scottish Local Government Forum Against Poverty, welcomed Inverclyde Council to the Forum and said: "I'm delighted that Inverclyde has joined the Forum. Budget cuts, welfare reform and the devolution of some benefits to Scotland all present real challenges for local authorities as we strive to protect, support and assist our most vulnerable residents. By working together, sharing experience and good practice, we can help ensure that our services are up to those challenges and campaign to influence Governments in Edinburgh and Westminster."
Inverclyde council, having signed up to be a member of the forum has nominated two representatives on the forum. They will be Councillor Stephen McCabe and Councillor Jim McLeod.