Dundee city council has a “moral duty” to help residents break out of the cycle of poverty, according to one of the fairness commissioners.
Labour Councillor Laurie Bidwell welcomed the administrations acceptance of proposals to make sure “fairness champions” were not just members of the leading administration, and both sexes were represented.
The Fairness Commission was set up to assess the nature, impact and extent of poverty in Dundee, and investigate the causes of poverty and inequality.
Identifying policy that could help lift Dundee residents out of poverty was also included in the cross-party, multi-partnership report.
Councillor Bidwell said what set the fairness commission apart from previous investigations was the inclusion of viewpoints from those living in poverty.
He said: “I feel very strongly that the council has a responsibility to follow through with the findings of the Fairness Commission report.
“It is important that we do not now allow it to slip off the agenda, we have a moral duty to follow through with the findings.
“There is much work to do to level the playing field and make Dundee a fairer place to live
“For too many people in our city unfairness stalks their lives, curbs their opportunities and limits their life chances.
“It cannot be right that a child born in the most income deprived part of Dundee is on average likely to live ten years less than their counterpart born in the most income advantaged area of our city.
“It would be great if in the future it is Dundee that is recognised as the ‘fair city’ rather than the neighbouring city upstream.
“In compiling the report, party members from across the council worked in close partnership with one another, and this is something we should continue to do.
“This is too important an issue for one party to be the champion of, it needs to be a cross party effort.”
Councillor Jimmy Black was originally the sole fairness champion put forward by the SNP administration.
The council will now look to nominate a second fairness champion, who will likely be a woman from a different political party.
Councillor Black supported the idea of bringing in a fairness champion from another party and of a different gender.
He said: “The fairness champion was designed to provide a political energy in to making things more fair in the city.
“It is a big job for one person to do, so I welcome the addition of another champion being put forward from another party and of another gender.
“Someone of another gender is likely to look at issues from a different perspective, which is a positive thing.
“There is a tremendous willingness from across all of the Dundee partnerships to make the city a fairer place.
“I believe that raising education attainment across the city is key to improving future prosperity.”