Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 12 December 2000 For Use: Immediately

Comhairle Steps Up The Fight Against Poverty

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Policy and Resources Committee today agreed a series of measures aimed at combating poverty in the Islands.

Vice-Convener Roddy Murray said: "Poverty and low pay remain a scourge within our Islands and it is vital that the Comhairle works with Government to lift the burdens that many members of our communities have to bear. The Comhairle is actively involved in the battle against poverty through measures such as funding for pre-school education and childcare, free homecare for low income clients, care and repair grants for elderly people, provision of housing, lower admission rates for unemployed people at leisure facilities, support for the furniture store in Stornoway for low-income families and the Social Inclusion Partnership in Iomairt Aig an Oir areas. However, there is more that can be done and we are determined to work with central government to combat poverty and the debilitating effect it has on our communities."

It was agreed to look at the possibility of setting up of a one-stop approach to Revenues and Housing Benefits to maximise household income. This would be similar to schemes operating in other local authority areas where multi-skilled staff offer advice and help to benefit claimants. In other areas the scheme has not only reduced the amount of form filling required but there has also been an increase in Housing and Council tax benefit take-up which in turn has reduced the amount of Council Tax arrears. A leaflet is also to be produced by the Comhairle with other agencies giving information about benefits.

The measures approved by the Policy and Resources Committee also include continuing to make the case to the Scottish Executive for additional grant allocation to take into account the cost of living in rural areas, urging the Scottish Executive and UK government to introduce rural proofing of policies to ensure rural areas do not lose out, working in partnership with COSLA and other local authorities to gather information about rural poverty and ensuring that the Comhairle's Corporate Plan has regard to the need to alleviate poverty particularly through creating employment.

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