Council to tackle inequality in Perth and Kinross

Perth and Kinross Council is taking steps to tackle inequality with a raft of measures proposed to help the underlying problem.

In a report drawn up by John Fyffe, senior depute chief executive of equality, community planning and public service reform with Perth and Kinross Council, he states that although the region is considered to be a mainly affluent area, “in reality” many individuals and families in both urban and rural communities are affected by inequality due to their income, employment and health situations.

Evidence on the matter has been gathered from sources including agencies such as NHS Tayside, the council’s welfare rights team and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Information on the problem has also been provided via the analysis of health and social care data in Perth and Kinross.

Evidence collected from this suggests tenants from what has been described as “less deprived” backgrounds had a “higher consumption” of health and social care services in Perth and Kinross.

Mr Fyffe’s report also reveals there is a “higher presence” of adults having two or more chronic illnesses in less affluent communities.

“The higher presence of multimorbidities reduces longevity and therefore ultimately the ability to access services,” his document says. “This report proposes an approach to build upon existing evidence-based activity addressing inequalities across the different localities of Perth and Kinross.

“It’s suggested the most vital component of future joint working to address inequalities should be the involvement of local people facing these on a daily basis.

“It is imperative that particular emphasis should be given to ensuring local people with firsthand experience of poverty/ inequalities have a lead role in the fairness commission,” Mr Fyffe’s report adds.

The document, which will be discussed at a full council meeting today, also states that solutions to address such “multi-faceted issues” lie in partnership solutions.