Agenda item

That this Council:-

(a)       regrets that since this Government came to power there are more homeless people and people visiting food banks in Sheffield than ever before;

(b)       notes that the need for people to visit food banks has increased drastically over the past two years;

(c)        further notes that The Trussell Trust said its food bank network had fed almost 110,000 people since April 2012, compared with a total of 128,697 in the whole of 2011-12;

(d)       is aware that there are now seven food banks in Sheffield, which has more than doubled since the Coalition Government came to power;

(e)       is concerned about the disproportionate impact of homelessness on young people, who are more financially vulnerable and have less accommodation options open to them;

(f)         believes that it is doing what it can to help prevent homelessness in Sheffield but is faced with budget cuts which will mean less people will receive support when there is greatest need;

(g)       believes that this need for emergency shelter and food supplies has increased due to tough economic pressures;

(h)        is aware that many families who need emergency food are working families that are struggling to pay bills as well as feed their families;

(i)         is also aware that the majority of people who need emergency food need help due to disruptions in benefit payments;

(j)         expects this situation to get worse with the introduction of universal benefits; and

(k)        is thankful that the churches and volunteer groups in Sheffield give up their time and resources to help people who need emergency support and hopes they will continue to do this.

FOOD BANKS

At the request of Councillor Sheila Constance and with the consent of the Council, the Notice of Motion Numbered 10 on the Summons for this meeting was withdrawn.