Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 September, 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Jane Whitmore, Amanda Owen (Poverty & Prevention) & Gemma Lelliott (Commercial Services).

Amanda Owen (Poverty & Prevention) assisted by Gemma Lelliott (Commercial Services) provided a presentation on Regenerating out of Food Poverty - Swansea Food Enterprise.

The presented comprised:

·       How did we get here?

·       Can Cook;

·       Can cook food supply;

·       Can cook circular economy;

·       Where we are now;

·       Activity/Timeline; and

·       What happens next.

In response to Member questions, Officers confirmed that:

·       The project is funded up to March 2018;

·       There is the possibility to role the project out other areas of the Council (i.e. Domiciliary care workers could also promote/assist with the provision of service);

·       The project will be extended to other groups other than those in sheltered accommodation;

·       There is the opportunity for traineeships and ‘grow your own’ products;

·       The project is being developed and managed as a business and there is an enthusiasm to examine all areas where the project could be further developed;

·       The role of food banks is still critical.  However, their purpose is intended to be a temporary measure as opposed to a long term solution;

·       Potential partners could include anyone, third sector, businesses;

·       No figures exist, even on a nationwide basis, in respect of numbers of people who do not have enough food; and

·       The current budget is £140k however this will decrease by £70k when the project income generates.

The Chair thanked the Officers for their informative presentation.

RESOLVED that the:

a)    presentation be NOTED; and

b)    The Chair write to all Members in order to raise awareness of the initiative.

Jane Whitmore & Anthony Richards (Poverty & Prevention) will lead a discussion on prioritising the following areas of work: Community Growing; Community Buildings Strategy; Employee Pledge on Volunteering; Tackling Poverty Research from other Authorities; JRF document ‘We can solve poverty in the UK’.

Jane Whitmore, Partnership, Performance and Commissioning Manager, Poverty & Prevention, led a discussion on the prioritisation of Anti-Poverty issues.

She advised that no work would be required from the Committee in respect of the following:

·       Community Growing;

·       Community Buildings Strategy;

·       Employee Pledge on Volunteering.

She then provided a presentation on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) document entitled ‘We can Solve Poverty in the UK’.

The presentation encompassed:

·       JRF’s definition of poverty;

·       JRf – Minimum Income Standard (MIS);

·       Details of the MIS;

·       MIS as an indication of poverty;

·       Poverty seldom result of one factor;

·       Our vision for a poverty free UK;

·       Working together;

·       What to do – five key actions

·       What Local Governments can do;

·       Boost income/reduce cost;

·       Improve the benefits system; and

·       Improve education & raise skills.

The Partnership, Performance and Commissioning Manager stated that a Welsh version of the document would be published on 8 November, 2016.  However, it was not known whether the Welsh version simply meant that the document would be published in Welsh or would be poverty from a Welsh perspective.

Members expressed concern as the document had previously been discussed at a Tackling Poverty Scrutiny Inquiry Panel on 26 September, 2016, when views from Third Sector organisations had been sought.  It was apparent that similar bodies were examining the report, albeit with slightly different emphasis, but there appeared to be a lot of commonality.  Whilst the document dealt with matters that were National policy, some matters were within the remit of local authority control (i.e. ensuring that the Authority does not award contracts to private companies who do not pay the living wage).

RESOLVED that:

1.     The presentation be NOTED;

2.     The current JRF document be circulated in paper format to Committee Members;

3.     Members examine the document the discuss the issues that are specific to Swansea;

4.     The Welsh version of the document be circulated following publication on 8 November 2016.

Martin Nicholls (Director of Place), Terri Shaw (Energy Manager) & Andrew Shaw (Group Leader).

RESOLVED that the item be DEFERRED.

RESOLVED that the work plan 2016-2017 be NOTED.