New strategy aims to create financially resilient communities
Prevention, early intervention and resilience are at the heart of a new strategy which aims to address financial inequality in County Durham.
Durham County Council has drafted its Financially Resilient Communities Strategy for 2026–2030 and accompanying Action Plan, which are proposed to replace its current Poverty Strategy for 2022–2026.
The proposed Financially Resilient Communities Strategy builds on the foundations of the Poverty Strategy and the authority’s work in 2025/26. This has included more than £14 million being secured for residents through welfare rights support and the delivery of £8.2 million in Household Support Fund assistance.
The new strategy extends the focus beyond alleviating the impacts of poverty, by placing greater emphasis on prevention, early intervention and resilience. It seeks to identify financial vulnerability sooner, address the root causes of hardship and support residents in achieving longer term financial security. This will be delivered through increased use of data and intelligence, stronger partnership working and a greater focus on results that reduce vulnerability and create more opportunities for residents to thrive. The strategy will also maintain effective support for residents when financial crisis does occur.
The draft strategy goes before the council’s Cabinet for approval on Wednesday 18 November.
Cllr Dawn Bellingham, the authority’s portfolio holder for communities and civic resilience, said: “We know that times are tough for a lot of people in County Durham, as is the case nationally, with many of our residents experiencing financial hardship and being in need of support and advice of some kind.
“We want to do everything in our power to help and that is why we have made sure people have been able to benefit from more than £14 million secured through welfare rights aid alongside the £8.2 million investment in Household Support Fund assistance last year.
“We have also developed this strategy which is about maintaining support when people are in crisis, while also acting earlier to help prevent difficulties escalating,
including addressing the causes and creating opportunities for people to achieve financial security.
“This strategy has been developed in consultation with people who have experienced hardship and we look forward to getting on with delivering it and helping them, subject to Cabinet approval.”
A report to the Cabinet meeting explains that the council has a long-standing and sustained commitment to tackling poverty and financial inequality, with coordinated activity in place since at least 2010. Over time, this has evolved into a more structured and strategic approach through the development of a dedicated Poverty Strategy and successive action plans, with increased partnership working and a stronger focus on prevention across services.
Despite this sustained activity, significant challenges remain, with many residents continuing to experience financial hardship and demand for support services remaining persistently high. Alongside this, demand for housing support, advice and crisis provision has remained consistently high.
These ongoing pressures, combined with wider cost of living challenges and economic uncertainty, highlight the need to strengthen the council’s approach and place greater emphasis on early intervention, prevention, and long-term financial resilience.
The meeting will hear that an initial phase of consultation and engagement was undertaken between January and March of this year, to help with development of the draft strategy. This included surveys, stakeholder events, targeted engagement with residents with experience of financial hardship, and a dedicated consultation led by the Durham Youth Council. In total, over 800 responses were received across this phase.
This first phase sought views on the proposed strategic direction, including the name, vision and key priorities; alongside detailed insight into financial hardship from those who have experienced it, access to support, and barriers faced by residents.
Feedback highlighted the importance of early intervention and prevention, improving access to clear and non-judgemental support, reducing stigma, and strengthening partnership working.
A second phase of public consultation on the draft strategy was undertaken between May and June. This phase tested the draft strategy, including the vision and actions proposed, and sought feedback on its potential impact.
Feedback from both phases has helped with preparation of the final strategy, ensuring it reflects the priorities and experiences of residents, partners, and young people across County Durham.
The meeting will hear that the council’s ambition for 2030 is:
More residents have the financial resilience to cope with life's challenges without falling into crisis
Increased income maximisation through take-up of activities
Reduced crisis demands on council services, including escalation to debt enforcement or homelessness pathways
Fewer households experience persistent financial insecurity and its associated impacts on health, housing and wellbeing
More children, young people and adults accessing opportunities that improve their life chances and support long-term financial security.
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