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 Poverty Reduction Policy Development and Delivery Committee held on 24 January, 2018, be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Commercial Officer, Community Food and Growing, introduced the Programme Area Manager of Food Waste Prevention and Poverty Reduction (WRAP) Cymru.

The Programme Area Manager (WRAP) Cymru stated that his presentation would not cover the issue of plastic waste and would focus on the following:

·       Background & Vision – WRAP Cymru

·       Food Waste Recycling

·       Courtauld 2025

·       Love Food Hate Waste

·       Surplus Food Redistribution

·       Get Involved

Members noted that WRAP is not for profit, working with governments, businesses and citizens to create a world in which we source and use resources sustainably.  WRAP experts generate the evidence based solutions needed to protect the environment, build stronger economies and support more sustainable societies.

WRAP’s impact spans the entire life-cycle of the food we eat, from production to consumption and beyond.

The Programme Area Manager (WRAP) referred to the challenge associated with behaviour change; Food Waste Recycling Communication Campaign; the Courtauld Commitment 2025; the Business Case for Change; Love Food Hate Waste (LFHW) Approach; LFHW Campaign Moments; Re-distribution, Making it Happen; Surplus Food Re-distribution; Priorities for Getting Involved and Taking Action, Your Best Resource.

In response to Members questions, the Programme Area Manager stated that changing behaviours would require re-education and going back to basics (cooking training in the community, meal planning etc); the majority of supermarkets do have arrangements in place for re-cycling surplus food and working in partnership with the Council in order to raise awareness amongst tenants, schools etc.

The Commercial Officer, Community Food & Growing reported that the Community Food & Growing Team had created a new community interest company called ‘Belly Full’ which would become operational from 1 April 2018.  

The Chair thanked the Officers for their informative presentation.

Resolved that the presentation be noted.

The Chair referred to the report and sought comments from Members.

In response to Member questions, the Head of Poverty Prevention stated that it was the Welsh Government’s intention to introduce the Childcare Offer to all parts of the County by the end of the Assembly term and make the Offer more flexible in terms of enabling people to return to work. 

Resolved that the report proceed to Cabinet on 15 March, 2018, in the name of the Chair of the Poverty Policy Development and Delivery Committee.

The Chair presented the current Work Plan 2017-2018.

Members discussed the agenda item scheduled for the meeting on 28 March, 2018 on Homelessness.

Councillor L R Jones referred to a useful research paper prepared by a former MP which Committee Members may find beneficial.

Resolved that:

1.     The Work Plan for 2017-2018 be noted; and

2.     The Democratic Services Officer forward the research paper to Committee Members.