York beating relative poverty? Latest figures are encouraging

Deprivation map 2015

The latest deprivation statistics which can be viewed on the North Yorkshire open data site reveal that no York neighbourhoods are now ranked among the 10% most deprived in the country.

The Kingsway West area – the subject of an innovative anti poverty initiative by the then LibDem led Council – is one of those that has now climbed up the league table.

Deprivation is measured on a number of indices where 10 is the best that can be achieved.  These are: Income  (Kingsway 2), Employment  (2), Barriers to housing and services (2), Crime (2), Education, skills and training (2), Health and disability (1), Living environment (6), Income affecting children (2), Income affecting older people (2).

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire there are nine deprived areas (in the bottom 10% in the country) in Scarborough, one in Harrogate and one in Selby

Middlesbrough, Knowsley, Kingston upon Hull, Liverpool and Manchester are the five local authority districts with the largest proportions of highly deprived neighbourhoods in England. More details can be found by clicking here

Europe bid to extend Kingsway Project

Behind closed doors logo

Somewhat belatedly, the York Council has decided to apply for European funding to help revive and extend the successful Kingsway Project which pioneered anti poverty activities in York towards the end of the last decade.

The Council is seeking £1.2 million from Europe with a matching amount likely to come from local resources.

The main neighbourhoods, which might benefit, include the Heworth, Hull Road, Guildhall, and Westfield Wards

The decision was taken today. As usual it was taken behind closed doors and without any meaningful consultation with local residents.

The Kingsway Project was a victim of Labour’s 2011 Council election victory. Shortly after their success they jettisoned Ward Committee budgeting which led to the Westfield area losing £50,000 a year in locally determined investment.

The report (which contains a lot of jargon) can be read here.