More help to be given to Yate

More help is set to be given to areas of Yate to improve their economic prospects.

The west and south sides of the town were revealed to have so-called "hidden deprivation" because of the high number of people claiming tax credits. Now they could be designated as priority neighbour- hoods to receive greater support.

The Government introduced the means-tested credits system six years ago to lift millions of families out of poverty.

Working tax credit is aimed at topping up the earnings of people on low incomes, while child tax credit is paid to parents and carers who are responsible for at least one child under 16 living with them.

Normally, priority neighbour- hoods are identified through unemployment, the level of home ownership and how many households have their own transport.

Under that system, areas of Yate appeared not to qualify because most people were working, they were owner-occupiers and they had a car.

But residents were often in low-paid jobs, had older cars and needed help from the tax credit system.

Now South Gloucestershire Council's ruling Cabinet will consider proposals to make west Yate and the parts of south Yate which fall in Dodington priority neighbourhoods to focus on raising and improving the education, skills and training residents receive.

Council leader John Calway said: "In the last two years, there has been nothing short of a mini-revolution in the quality of the services that residents can access in the Yate and Dodington area."

"Yate Leisure Centre and Yate Outdoors Sports Complex have both been transformed, construction work is continuing on a new combined health and children's centre and on the refurbishment of Yate library.

"Yate's local police team has also been strengthened thanks to council investment to help residents to feel safer.

"Not only is the council contributing to the re-building of King Edmund Community School to drive up education standards in the area, but we are also determined to improve youth provision in the town."

But he said there was room for further improvements, especially in the current tough economic climate.

There are already five priority neighbourhoods in South Gloucestershire - Cadbury Heath, Filton, Kingswood, Patchway and Staple Hill - and Cabinet members will also review the work which has been going on there.

Under the scheme for Yate, a council team will find out what people like about their community, what is wrong with it and what needs to be tackled in order to improve it,

The police, health service and local businesses are also likely to be involved.