EVERY effort has to be made to ensure that the Cowdenbeath Area’s Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty Plan is an effective method of helping people avoid the poverty trap.

Cowdenbeath Area Committee heard from local services manager, Kevin Sayer, who said that it was so important that a totally joined up approach was in place.

He added, “There is a clear risk that despite the work reflected in the WRAPP, local people will be adversely affected by reforms to the Welfare System.

“The Cowdenbeath Area Local Community Planning Partnership met at the end of May to identify the most effective and efficient ways to deliver the plan.

“It was indicated improved access to local welfare advice and representation alongside money advice and other support services was needed with community premises in Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly.

“Also improved access to online facilities and support to use IT for job search and claims; and improved adult numeracy and literacy to support benefit claims, job search and personal presentation to job centres; plus evolved or sustained community job club provision to support job seekers to meet claimant commitment job search conditionality.” Councillor Peter Lockhart said that there were severe problems with poverty in the area, “If you look at the Lochs it is among the top 10 per cent of deprived wards in Scotland.

“The welfare reforms are biting and we need to be moving ahead with arrangements to provide assistance.

“First and foremost there is a need to help people get the skills they need to get into work, for there is a big skills shortage in the district.” Councillor Linda Erskine said, “We need outlets to make advice available, that is a must.” And Lochs member Ann Bain (pictured) commented, “It is important we have facilities on the ground to get the message across.” Fellow Lochs councillor Alex Campbell added, “It would be good to have advice centres in each community and there are plenty of empty premises that could be used.” Committee chairman, Councillor Willie Clarke, said, “Skills shortages is a worry and I believe that good quality apprenticeships could assist in this.

“We need to work better together to make sure we can help.” Kevin Sayer added, “Things are happening but it could be a lot better, so we have to be totally committee to ensuring the progress is maintained.”