Purpose

Progress update

Content

Opportunity Bucks was the Council’s local partnership
approach to levelling up, working in partnership across the county
to improve outcomes for people who were experiencing the most
hardship.  Outcomes for people across
the county were, on average, good. Income was above the national
average, educational attainment was high, and the proportion of
people claiming out of work benefits was low.
 
However, the county averages masked the challenges that some
people in some specific parts of the county were facing. 10 Ward
areas had been identified where outcomes were substantially worse
for residents, with more people in these Wards claiming benefits,
having worse health outcomes, experiencing higher crime and having
limited opportunities.  The
Council’s aim, through the Opportunity Bucks programme, was
to ensure that everyone in the county had the opportunity to
succeed, that we grow together as a place and that nobody was left
behind.  The Cabinet report provided an
update on progress made since the official launch of the programme
on 7 December 2022.
 
RESOLVED
–
 
That the
progress of the Opportunity Bucks programme be NOTED.