Annual Report
Tackling the Poverty Emergency
Stronger Futures
A new corporate priority was developed after the Council produced its Stronger Futures programme for recovery after considerable community engagement with an aim not just to restart, but to reset; and to transform for good the way that we work with our residents, businesses and partner organisations.
Declaration of a Poverty Emergency
Cheshire West and Chester Council was one of the first in the country to declare a Poverty Emergency because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision was also built on the learning from two successful Poverty Truth Commissions in the borough which put local people, known as Community Inspirers, with lived- experience of poverty, at the heart of decision making. They aimed to tackle the root causes of poverty and addressing the gaps and inequalities in service across the borough.
The Poverty Emergency Declaration set out key aims directed by the new established Poverty Truth Advisory Board (PTAB), co-chaired by the Council Leader’s Champion for Poverty and Inequality and a Community Inspirer. The work of the board means public, private, civic sector and Community Inspirer representatives can ensure the poverty agenda is embedded in the work of the Council and partner agencies. It supports work to remove gaps and duplication between services and continues to campaign for change at a local, regional and national level. Online training and workshops aimed at influencing change were launched in September 2020 and were delivered to 447 young people/partners and 133 staff as workforce development.
How we live film
A group of young people from Winsford Academy and Wharton Primary School, developed a fictional character and story as part of the work they had been doing with the WCPTC. A script was developed with support from television producer and screenwriter Sir Phil Redmond CBE and other industry professionals to make a short film called, How we live. The powerful piece raises awareness and understanding of the issues young people face caused by poverty and is largely filmed through the eyes of a young person.
