Agenda item

6.1

The Policy and Improvement Officer (Alice Nicholson) submitted a report containing the draft Work Programme for 2020/21.

6.2

Ms Nicholson made reference to the proposed establishment of a Food Poverty Task and Finish Group, an issue which had been raised at the last meeting.  She made a brief presentation on the proposals, reporting on the rise in food poverty, the proposed scope for the Task and Finish Group to consider the Council’s response to food poverty, and the membership of the Group.

6.3

Members commented on the proposals set out in the presentation, specifically regarding the aims, size and membership, and timeframe for the work, of the Group.

6.4

Members raised comments/suggestions regarding other issues the Committee could consider as part of its Work Programme, relating specifically to the Census to be held in March 2021.

6.5

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)      notes the contents of the report now submitted, together with the comments now made;

(b)      approves the proposals now reported regarding the establishment of a cross-party Task and Finish Group on Food Poverty, initially comprising Councillors Douglas Johnson, Cate McDonald, Mick Rooney and Jim Steinke,  and requests the Policy and Improvement Officer to make arrangements for the Group to meet mid-January 2021, to discuss the aims and membership, and timeframe for the work of the Group, with further invites being extended to (i) two Members from the Scrutiny and Policy Development Committees and (ii) an appropriate local partner group/organisation; and

(c)      in the light of the concerns now raised relating to the 2021 Census, particularly regarding the fact that it was to be predominantly online, requests (i) an update on Local Census Liaison plans, support and engagement in completion of the Census and (ii) that an invite be sent for appropriate officers of the City Council and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to include Richard Crowther (ONS Community Engagement Officer) to attend a future meeting to report on such work.