Issue - meetings

The Overview and Scrutiny Food Poverty report is presented for information: to share the review findings with the wider membership of the Council and the public and to provide an opportunity for debate on a matter of local concern. 

The officer’s covering report and the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s discussion on 4 June 2019 are attached as Appendices 1 and 2 respectively. 

At its August meeting, the Executive (as the decision-maker) will be required to respond formally to the recommendations and indicate agreement or otherwise.

Recommendation to Council: 

That the report and recommendations in respect of Food Poverty in the Borough be noted.

The Council received and noted the Overview and Scrutiny Food Poverty report, which was presented for information in order to share the review findings with the wider membership of the Council and the public and to provide an opportunity for debate on a matter of local concern.

Councillors also noted the officer’s covering report and the minutes of the discussion on the matter by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 4 June 2019.

At its August meeting, the Executive (as the decision-maker) would be required to

respond formally to the recommendations and indicate agreement or otherwise.

During the debate, councillors welcomed the report and made a number of comments including:

·        the high correlation between food poverty and obesity, and food poverty and mental health

·        the huge impact food poverty had on life expectancy, health generally and children’s concentration levels at school

·        welcoming the first recommendation asking the Leader to write to the Secretary of State outlining the problems caused by Universal Credit and welfare reforms and calling for immediate upstream action on food insecurity

·        suggesting that the Secretary of State be urged to legislate to compel supermarkets and food providers to donate food approaching its use-by date  to local charities and food banks

The Council

RESOLVED: That the report and recommendations in respect of Food Poverty in the Borough be noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Food Poverty report is presented for information: to share the review findings with the wider membership of the Council and the public and to provide an opportunity for debate on a matter of local concern. 

The officer’s covering report and the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s discussion on 4 June 2019 are attached as Appendices 1 and 2 respectively. 

At its August meeting, the Executive (as the decision-maker) will be required to respond formally to the recommendations and indicate agreement or otherwise.

Recommendation to Council: 

That the report and recommendations in respect of Food Poverty in the Borough be noted.

Consideration of this item was adjourned to Wednesday 31 July 2019.