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Powys Children Urge Council to Tackle Child Poverty, Pledging to Act on Their Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a powerful display of advocacy, schoolchildren from Ysgol Golwg y Cwm shared their experiences of poverty with decision-makers at Powys County Council's third annual Child Poverty Task Force Conference. The children, who were among the headline speakers, called on the council and its partners to take stronger action to address the issue. The conference, held at the historic Welfare Hall in Ystradgynlais, brought together representatives from local government, the NHS, third-sector groups, and national bodies. The event aimed to review progress and shape future efforts to support families across the county.

Key Takeaways:

  • The conference highlighted the delivery of community-led projects backed by £90,000 in Welsh Government funding, including cooking sessions, literacy events, and youth engagement initiatives.
  • The council announced it had secured a further £125,000 from the Welsh Government's Child Poverty Innovation and Supporting Communities Grant Scheme to support the appointment of a Young Persons' Engagement Officer and launch a new "Speak Truth to Powys" Poverty Truth Commission.
  • The commission aims to bring lived experience into policymaking and deliver an Essential Support Scheme offering urgent help with food, clothing, and other basic needs.
  • Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, pledged to take the children's concerns back to County Hall and work to deliver real change.
  • The conference aimed to review progress and shape future efforts to support families across the county.

Statistics:

  • £90,000: The amount of Welsh Government funding delivered to community-led projects.
  • £125,000: The amount of further funding secured from the Welsh Government's Child Poverty Innovation and Supporting Communities Grant Scheme.
  • 3: The number of annual Child Poverty Task Force Conferences held by Powys County Council.
  • inf: The number of representative groups, including local government, the NHS, third-sector groups, and national bodies, in attendance.

Sources:

  • "Powys County Council's third annual Child Poverty Task Force Conference" (no date)
  • "Welsh Government" (no date)
  • "NSPCC Cymru" (no date)
  • "Wales Centre for Public Policy" (no date)

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