PEOPLE involved in tackling poverty in York are asked to contact city leaders to help compile a picture of work and identify possible gaps.

City of York Council has launched a Poverty Action Steering Group to help it address poverty across the city and to help guide policies.

The group is carrying out an audit of anti-poverty work in the city and wants to ensure it is aware of all projects and initiatives, from major national charities working in the city to small informal groups operating on a small scale.

Anyone involved in work, particularly if they think the city council may be unaware of it, is asked to get in touch, giving brief details of the work, where in the city it operates, and who the beneficiaries are.

The steering group includes representatives from the city council, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, South Yorkshire Credit Union, York Economic Partnership, York churches and The Press.

Paul Edmondson-Jones, York’s director of public health and chairman of the steering group, said: “The council and its partners have a shared ambition to reduce poverty in York and we are committed to working together in a concerted city-wide response.

“We have set up the steering group to quickly translate this commitment into action and oversee the development of an anti-poverty programme for the city.”

Anyone who can provide information to the group is asked to email jane.collingwood@york.gov.uk or phone 01904 553407.