An action plan will be drawn up by the council to tackle rising levels of poverty in the borough.

Bringing back children’s centres, improving access to healthcare and boosting the standards of privately rented homes are among the measures set out in a wide-ranging report on poverty and inequality in Enfield.

Launched on Monday (January 20), the report of the Enfield Poverty and Inequality Commission focuses on three key areas that affect people’s life chances – living, learning and earning.

The commission carried out a six-month period of research with residents and community groups before coming up with 27 recommendations for the council to consider.

These include introducing a licensing scheme for landlords to improve accommodation and reduce unfair evictions, and opening a new, NHS-funded integrated health and wellbeing centre at North Middlesex Hospital.

Speaking after the launch, council leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan (Labour, Jubilee) confirmed an action plan would now be drawn up by the council, adding: “The recommendations are quite clear. As politicians and officers, we need to articulate how we are going to deliver on each of them.”

Often seen as a leafy outer-London suburb, Enfield has seen a significant rise in deprivation in recent years.

Yet while parts of the borough face similar problems as inner-city areas, Enfield continues to receive less government funding than inner-London boroughs.

More than a quarter of households in Enfield are living in poverty after housing costs, and one in three children in Enfield is living in poverty, according to government figures.

Although a lack of central government funding is a major problem, the report reveals the council can take steps to tackle poverty even when finances are stretched.

It says regeneration schemes such as Meridian Water give the council the chance to provide affordable homes and well-paid jobs.

And it can revitalise youth services by bringing back children’s centres – all but one of which were closed following cuts to funding from central government.

The report, which is published by think-tank The Smith Institute, was officially launched by Baroness Claire Tyler of Enfield at an event at the House of Lords on Monday (January 21)

In her foreword to the report, Baroness Tyler says: “In submitting this report, we hope that the Commission has been able to play a part in creating a new way forward for Enfield in which all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background.

“Enfield is a place with huge energy and vitality. By removing the barriers that prevent those on lower incomes from thriving, a Borough that works for everyone is within grasp.”

Cllr Caliskan adds: “The recommendations in this report are welcome and will help us make practical changes so we can begin to remove the barriers that prevent our poorest and vulnerable citizens from reaching their full potential.

“The journey will not be straightforward, and the challenge is great; but I firmly believe we have the resolve and vision to create a lifetime of opportunities for everyone in the borough.”