Carmarthenshire poverty probe
Pockets of deprivation and a lack of access to services in rural areas have been a major finding of a countywide investigation into poverty in Carmarthenshire.
The county council’s social justice scrutiny committee ordered a Review of Poverty in Carmarthenshire. The move was sparked by the credit crunch and global recession.
Councillors and council have worked closely with the voluntary sector and faith groups and the National Energy Association on issues such as fuel poverty.
The scrutiny committee met to discuss the task and finish group Review which will go to the council’s executive board in the next few weeks.
Research shows that while some areas of Llanelli are among the most deprived in the whole of Wales, and so receive Welsh Assembly Government Communities First funding, there are serious problems of poverty and social exclusion in more prosperous areas and in rural areas.
The Review states: “Evidence exists in respect of access to services by bus or walking that a number of our rural areas are amongst the most socially excluded by geography.
“A number of areas in the county are amongst the worst in Wales, including areas such as Cynwyl Gaeo, Llanboidy, Cynwyl Elfed, Manordeilo and Salem, Llanegwad, Llangadog and Cilycwm.”
The Review adds that pockets of poverty or deprivation can also exist in areas that are not considered the most deprived by the Welsh Assembly such as parts of Carmarthen town.
Social justice scrutiny committee chair Cllr Stephen James said: “When we decided to do this review the country was experiencing an economic downturn which turned into a global recession, the impact of which will be felt for years to come. A separate Regeneration and Leisure Scrutiny Task and Finish Group was also looking at the impact of the recession on the local economy, and we saw their work as complementary to the Review of Poverty.
“We wanted to find out what was being done to help vulnerable people and families in our county and see what more could be done. We felt strongly that the Council and its partners should strengthen and co-ordinate action to help the increasing numbers of people experiencing problems in the current economic climate.
“We are delighted that this council has taken action following the Helping Hand/ Help Llaw event, with the re-establishment of the anti-poverty advice network (Advice and Support Carmarthenshire) led by the newly created Anti-Poverty Champion, Executive Board Member, Cllr. Kevin Madge.
“The findings of this Group have informed the key areas to be taken forward by ASC and will, we hope, help us all respond to the challenges we all face now and in the coming years.”
The county council’s social justice scrutiny committee ordered a Review of Poverty in Carmarthenshire. The move was sparked by the credit crunch and global recession.
Councillors and council have worked closely with the voluntary sector and faith groups and the National Energy Association on issues such as fuel poverty.
The scrutiny committee met to discuss the task and finish group Review which will go to the council’s executive board in the next few weeks.
Research shows that while some areas of Llanelli are among the most deprived in the whole of Wales, and so receive Welsh Assembly Government Communities First funding, there are serious problems of poverty and social exclusion in more prosperous areas and in rural areas.
The Review states: “Evidence exists in respect of access to services by bus or walking that a number of our rural areas are amongst the most socially excluded by geography.
“A number of areas in the county are amongst the worst in Wales, including areas such as Cynwyl Gaeo, Llanboidy, Cynwyl Elfed, Manordeilo and Salem, Llanegwad, Llangadog and Cilycwm.”
The Review adds that pockets of poverty or deprivation can also exist in areas that are not considered the most deprived by the Welsh Assembly such as parts of Carmarthen town.
Social justice scrutiny committee chair Cllr Stephen James said: “When we decided to do this review the country was experiencing an economic downturn which turned into a global recession, the impact of which will be felt for years to come. A separate Regeneration and Leisure Scrutiny Task and Finish Group was also looking at the impact of the recession on the local economy, and we saw their work as complementary to the Review of Poverty.
“We wanted to find out what was being done to help vulnerable people and families in our county and see what more could be done. We felt strongly that the Council and its partners should strengthen and co-ordinate action to help the increasing numbers of people experiencing problems in the current economic climate.
“We are delighted that this council has taken action following the Helping Hand/ Help Llaw event, with the re-establishment of the anti-poverty advice network (Advice and Support Carmarthenshire) led by the newly created Anti-Poverty Champion, Executive Board Member, Cllr. Kevin Madge.
“The findings of this Group have informed the key areas to be taken forward by ASC and will, we hope, help us all respond to the challenges we all face now and in the coming years.”
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