Issue - meetings

On a motion from Councillor Ruth Malloy, seconded by Councillor Andy Wait, it was

RESOLVED that

Council notes:

1.  The Department of Health and Social Care definition of food poverty as “the inability to access or afford food to make up a healthy diet”;

2.  That food poverty is a complex issue with many causes; that it can affect anyone, including many people who work and many families, even in an apparently well off area such as ours;

3.  There is a growing problem of food insecurity in the UK, affecting as many as 8.4 million people, of which increasing reliance on food banks is one symptom;

4.  That food banks in Bath and North East Somerset supply thousands of food parcels each year to local people;

5.  Efforts by the Council to raise awareness of families’ eligibility for free school meals, and by extension the pupil premium, locally;

6.  The importance of local food systems and education in ensuring access to affordable, sustainable and healthy food options;

7.  The Council has previously adopted a Local Food Strategy for Bath and North East Somerset;

8.  Addressing food poverty may contribute to improving the health, wellbeing, education and independence of local residents; supporting the local food economy; and reducing environmental impacts.

Council therefore:

9.  Commends the invaluable work done by local charities, churches and food banks in Bath and North East Somerset to support people facing food poverty and crisis;

10.  Requests the Children, Health & Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel to work with local organisations and develop recommendations for a Food Poverty Action Plan for Bath and North East Somerset; and

11.  Requests that the Cabinet investigate refreshing the Local Food Strategy for Bath and North East Somerset.

[Notes;

1.  During debate, an unsuccessful amendment was moved by Councillor Liz Hardman, and seconded by Councillor Robin Moss, to take the recommendations a stage further with specific areas for the Action plan to include.  This was lost, on a vote of 8 Councillors voting in favour, 40 Councillors voting against and 2 Councillors abstaining.

2.  The substantive motion was then carried unanimously.]