Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, the following interests were declared:

Councillor D Phillips declared a personal interest in Minute 47 “Food Waste” – Treasurer for Eastside Food Bank.

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

Resolved that the Minutes of the Poverty Reduction Policy Development and Delivery Committee held on 28 February 2018 be approved and signed as a correct record.

- Presentation to explore the potential for tax relief for food banks;

- Exploration of other options to support food banks.

The Head of Poverty & Prevention provided a presentation to explore the potential for tax relief for food banks.

The information had been provided by colleagues in Finance, however they were not experts in this subject and advised that any queries in relation to information on tax / rate should be directed to one of the following:

·                 Trussell Trust

·                 HMRC website

·                 SVCS re constitution

In addition, the Committee explored other options to support food banks, the main issue being highlighted was the lack of cold storage, resulting in surplus food being thrown away by Supermarkets as food banks had no way of storing large quantities of chilled or frozen items.

Resolved that:

1)              The presentation be noted:

2)              The Committee discuss Food Banks and working with other organisations together with the issues around cold storage facilities at a future meeting.

Steve Porter, Housing Operations Manager, supported by Jane Harries,  Landlord Services Manager and Rosie Jackson, Senior Policy & Leasehold Officer provided a presentation to accompany the report to inform the Committee of the progress made so far to develop the Homelessness Strategy and to provide the Committee with the opportunity to comment and influence the development of the draft aims, key principles, objectives and actions.

The Committee discussed:

·                   The draft aim – which it felt could be strengthened;

·                   The Housing First model (the Finland and Dublin models were also referred to);

·                   The average death rate for the homeless;

·                   Whether funding was available to carry out the objectives of the strategy;

·                   The need for Measurable outcomes to be included in the action plan.

Resolved that:

1)              The presentation and report be noted;

2)              The Committee view the recommendations outlined in the Wales Audit Office report produced in January 2018 – How Local Government Manages demand – Homelessness https://www.wao.gov.uk/system/files/publications/local-government-homelessness-2017-english.pdf;

3)              The Action Plan be presented to the Poverty Reduction Policy Development and Delivery Committee scheduled for July 2018.

The Committee queried what specifically they were being tasked to research, as Homelessness was a wide-ranging subject area.  What would the research achieve?  They discussed whether they should research good practice in neighbouring Authorities, or whether a Task & Finish Group should be set up.  It was noted that the Tackling Poverty Scrutiny Inquiry Panel was in the process of visiting various centres so duplication should be avoided.

The Head of Poverty and Prevention stated that as the Homelessness Policy was in its development stage, the Committee had the opportunity to consider whether the policy was innovative enough to deliver the objectives of the strategy.

Councillor L R Jones referred to the research paper that had been circulated following the meeting held on 28 February in relation to Housing First.

Resolved that the Committee consider the above research report on Housing First at the next meeting scheduled for 25 April 2018.

The Chair presented the updated Work Plan for 2017-2018.

Resolved that:

1)              The updated Work Plan be noted;

2)              The following items be incorporated into the Work Plan for 2018-2019:

a.               Homelessness – Action Plan (July 2018 meeting);

b.               Food Banks (including working with other organisations & the issue of cold storage).