Motion
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Proposed by Councillor Tindall.
"This Council notes that the introduction of Universal Credit has lead to a number of circumstances which have had an adverse effect on the more vulnerable members of our communities.
It further notes that it has been necessary for the County Council to foster Holiday Clubs with the provision of food in order to ensure that disadvantaged children are provided for so as to counter unhealthy holidays and social isolation.
This council recognises that a greater reliance is being placed upon Food Banks and is aware that the Dacorum Food Bank is struggling to fulfil the demands upon it.
Therefore,
- the Council asks the Cabinet to make arrangements to support the continuation of the Food Bank by working with DENS to a greater extent, and
- given that the position of Coordinator of the Food Bank is of crucial importance, the Cabinet is further asked to make provisions in the Council's budget for 2020/2021 for financial assistance in the maintenance of this post.
- further as a matter of urgency, the Cabinet is asked to make the necessary arrangements for the early commencement of this funding from 1st October with an appropriate financial transfer from the 2019/2020 reserves." |
Decision:
A motion was proposed by Cllr Tindall and seconded by Cllr England;
‘This Council notes that the introduction of Universal Credit has led to a number of circumstances which have had an adverse effect on the more vulnerable members of our communities.
It further notes that it has been necessary for the County Council to foster Holiday Clubs with the provision of food in order to ensure that disadvantaged children are provided for so as to counter unhealthy holidays and social isolation.
This council recognises that a greater reliance is being placed upon Food Banks and is aware that the Dacorum Food Bank is struggling to fulfil the demands upon it.
Therefore,
· The Council asks the Cabinet to make arrangements to support the continuation of the Food Bank by working with DENS to a greater extent, and
· Given that the position of Coordinator of the Food Bank is of crucial importance, the Cabinet is further asked to make provisions in the Council's budget for 2020/2021 for financial assistance in the maintenance of this post.
· Further as a matter of urgency, the Cabinet is asked to make the necessary arrangements for the early commencement of this funding from 1st October with an appropriate financial transfer from the 2019/2020 reserves’
Vote
A recorded vote took place, full details of voting can be found in the minutes under Item 5.
Total votes for 17
Total votes against 27
Total abstaining 1
Mayor declared the motion lost
Minutes:
The following motion was proposed by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor England:
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‘This Council notes that the introduction of Universal Credit has led to a number of circumstances which have had an adverse effect on the more vulnerable members of our communities. It further notes that it has been necessary for the County Council to foster Holiday Clubs with the provision of food in order to ensure that disadvantaged children are provided for so as to counter unhealthy holidays and social isolation. This council recognises that a greater reliance is being placed upon Food Banks and is aware that the Dacorum Food Bank is struggling to fulfil the demands upon it. Therefore,
· The Council asks the Cabinet to make arrangements to support the continuation of the Food Bank by working with DENS to a greater extent, and · Given that the position of Coordinator of the Food Bank is of crucial importance, the Cabinet is further asked to make provisions in the Council's budget for 2020/2021 for financial assistance in the maintenance of this post. · Further as a matter of urgency, the Cabinet is asked to make the necessary arrangements for the early commencement of this funding from 1st October with an appropriate financial transfer from the 2019/2020 reserves’ |
Councillor Tindall referred to the motion proposed and added that recent stats from DENS give the fact that benefit changes delays last financial year were 709 demand, whereas this year we have only covered 5-6 months of the year and already demand has overtaken at 753 down to delays in changes in Universal Credit. The most staggering is the increase in demand child meals from 5 last year, to so far this half a year, 26 already. So you can see the demand is growing and is expected to increase again this year.
It is a matter of some worry and concern that the 5th richest country in the world has such a demand for food banks in its local communities. Feel every Local Councils should do everything they can to help. There are no figures mentioned in this motion because we felt it appropriate for the administration to discuss with DENS what would be an appropriate amount to support the staffing of this. Money should go to staffing as that is the area that does not attract funding. The Councillor therefore asked everyone in room to support this and note the last paragraph that the funding starts from 1st October.
Cllr England seconded the motion.
Cllr Woolner referred to roll out of universal credit in Dacorum causing some issues with a large number of recipients becoming in rent arrears; it follows that this will lead to increased financial need and reliance on food banks. Current research shows 52% average increase in food bank usage in areas that have had Universal Credit for 12 months, compared to 30% in areas that haven’t. Dacorum should be providing more support to claimants and ensure that DENS is fully funded and able to ... view the full minutes text for item 5