TACKLING child poverty in the Wee County will require “bold action”, but plans were branded “a bit wishy-washy” at council.

The local authority, along with partners in the Clackmannanshire Alliance, is setting out key strategic plans to reduce the number of local young people living in hardship.

A first-of-its-kind report tabled for the Partnership and Performance Committee last week identified a number of actions to be taken with projects and programmes.

However, council leader Councillor Ellen Forson warned that the document lacked outcomes, adding that “it’s a bit wishy-washy”.

When she proposed the paper, she explained it needed “tangible targets”.

The SNP leader also attacked austerity cuts and said: “We are working hard, but seems we are fighting against the tide.”

There was cross-party agreement from Labour leader Cllr Dave Clark, who was willing to work with his counterparts to drive initiatives forward.

He agreed with the council leader that outcomes and timescales will have to form a part of future plans.

Cllr Clark attacked Universal Credit, adding that taking away from the poor is “evil” and “morally wrong”.

Both representatives will be working to bring about a programme of events and activities, with partners and communities, for an anti-poverty week, likely to be held around October.

Cllr Clark later told the Advertiser that as a part of that, he will be looking to challenge local Christian churches to a week of fasting.

According to documents tabled on the day, one in four Wee County children experience some level of poverty.

The report said: “All partners in Clackmannanshire recognise that we need bold action to reduce this to less than 10 per cent by 2030, and in fact take ambitious steps to eradicate child poverty in Clackmannanshire altogether.

“A key challenge for partners is ensuring that families don’t become trapped in cycles of poverty.”

In line with national guidance, plans will focus on addressing what are considered the three key drivers of poverty: income from employment, costs of living and income from social security and benefits.

Key strategic priorities to address the above include increasing the hours worked per household and driving up hourly wages, particularly for women.

Maximising benefits and grants take up is another area along with the drive to improve attainment and to build resilience in communities.

Enabling access to affordable credit and debt advice as well as to transport are also on the list.

The Clackmannanshire Alliance brings together the local authority, NHS, CTSi, Scottish Enterprise as well as emergency services with a council officer telling the chamber all will need to work together to address deprivation.