Issue - meetings

This report outlines the work undertaken to produce a draft interim strategy in line with the current Council Plan objective to Review the Council’s approach to Financial Inclusion.  The production of this strategy and its delivery priorities has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and then the focus of all resources has been to deliver significant support needed for residents facing the Cost-of-Living Crisis.  The strategy is interim, given the launch in March 2023 of the Poverty Truth Commission, the work of which will inform strategic policy on Financial Inclusion matters going forward. Members are asked to consider and approve the content of this report as the strategy for 2023-25 to be updated as required by the next City of York council administration and/or in consideration of the findings from the York Poverty Truth Commission.

Resolved:  That the Interim Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023-25 be approved.

Reason:     To ensure all the priorities outlined in the strategy are a focus for the council and its partners to mitigate the impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis and drive work to address underlying causes of poverty, ensure resident income is maximised and long-term recovery is achieved.

The Executive Member considered a report that This report outlined the work undertaken to produce a draft interim strategy in line with the current Council Plan objective to Review the Council’s approach to Financial Inclusion.  The production of the strategy and its delivery priorities had been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and then the focus of all resources has been to deliver significant support needed for residents facing the Cost-of-Living Crisis.  The strategy was interim, given the launch in March 2023 of the Poverty Truth Commission, the work of which would inform strategic policy on Financial Inclusion matters going forward.

The Director of Customer and Communities detailed the report, explaining the work undertaken to produce the draft strategy and the aims of it. The Executive Member noted the work of the ICS York Place Board and noted the need to tackle the causes to poverty. He further noted the need to work with different partners in health and housing. He then;

Resolved:  That the Interim Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023-25 be approved.

Reason:     To ensure all the priorities outlined in the strategy are a focus for the council and its partners to mitigate the impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis and drive work to address underlying causes of poverty, ensure resident income is maximised and long-term recovery is achieved.