The findings of Dundee’s Fairness Commission and its proposals to lift more than 40,000 Dundonians out of poverty are to be taken straight to the Scottish Government.
City councillor Jimmy Black, who chaired the commission over the past year and who presided over the launch of the findings in Dundee last Friday said that going to Holyrood with their recommendations was the next step.
“I will be taking the report and all 56 of the recommendations it contains to Holyrood,” said Mr Black.
“I have every intention of getting the recommendations looked at in the Scottish Parliament,” he said.
An action plan on how to take forward the recommendations of Dundee’s Fairness Commission could arrive within months.
It was initially said a plan of action should be brought forward by the Dundee Partnership — which brings together a number of different agencies in the city — within six months.
But David Martin, Dundee City Council’s chief executive, revealed that the plan could be pulled together quicker than that — with work on it already under way.
Meanwhile, others involved in helping to put the report together have told of their desire to see the process of working with Dundee’s most impoverished people continue — after more than a year’s worth of meetings to get to this stage.
Jacky Close, of Faith in Community Dundee, said: “We will continue to help people have a voice and create opportunities for people in positions of authority to listen.
“We will continue to co-operate with the Dundee Partnership and we will continue to interview people affected so they remain part of the process.
“I want us to carry on the dialogue and keep listening.
“We are now looking for feedback so that we can bring about change.”
The commission has also said that approaches must now be found that reach the majority of people in poverty.
Councillor Laurie Bidwell, who was on the panel, said:“The Fairness Commission has uncovered the extent to which the experience of day to day life in Dundee is profoundly unfair for too many of our citizens. The efforts of the commission will be wasted if this becomes another report that is shelved and nothing comes of it.
“I am determined to ensure we carry on the conversations between the agencies and with individuals with personal experiences of struggling with inequalities.
Labour councillor Richard McCready said: “Dundee needs fairness. I am delighted to see the publication of this report.
“I will be looking for action as a result.”