A new campaign is being launched to improve the fortunes of Weymouth and Portland.

Efforts are being made to tackle problems facing disadvantaged areas of Dorset with low ‘social mobility’ with a particular focus on boosting the borough.

With issues such as low wages, a lack of quality full-time jobs, low levels of attainment in schools and high levels of child poverty, residents from disadvantaged areas are being denied the life chances they aspire to, it is said.

A motion, led by Cllr Pete Barrow, was passed at a Weymouth Town Council meeting calling on Dorset Council to take further action to address these issues.

This includes setting up a taskforce and come up with a strategic plan to help drive improvement.

South Dorset comes in at the bottom of the list ranking areas of England for social mobility – a person’s ability to move up or down the economic or social ladder. Weymouth and Portland, where most of south Dorset’s population is concentrated, is seen as left behind and at the bottom of the pile for jobs, wages and educational achievement.

Cllr Barrow said: “In order to try and improve the lives of our most deprived residents we are calling for more effective action to be taken.

“The motion calls for Dorset Council to provide visible and effective leadership to lead a multi-agency approach that drives improvement.”

Cllr Barrow wants Dorset Council to appoint a cabinet member together with an executive director, who will both be accountable for improving social mobility in Dorset with an initial focus on Weymouth and Portland.

He added: “They will lead a multi-agency team that will develop and deliver an overarching strategic plan.

“The team should be sure all actions are effectively targeted, accountability is clear and progress can be effectively assessed. An initial plan should be in place within 12 months.

“There is a pressing need to make sure action is taken where it is most needed, and communities can see progress being made.

“To this end the council will invite relevant community groups to join the team both to provide valuable inputs and to provide progress reports to the community.”

The strategic plan would benefit communities in other areas of Dorset, but there is a particular focus on Weymouth and Portland.

Cllr Barrow added: “We all entered public life to make a difference, so let’s make one with this issue. In five-years’ time we need to be able to look back and be sure we have done all we can to improve the lives of our most disadvantaged residents.”

Councillor Tia Roos called for Cllr Barrow to raise the issue of Universal Credit as part of his motion to Dorset Council after explaining problems regarding seasonal income.

She said her partner earns most of his money working long hours for six months of the year, but would not be entitled to payments because his earnings are above the threshold.

She said: “That’s the same for fishermen, for small businesses in the town, it’s affecting everyone. It’s going to destroy this town.”