Agenda item

Motion: Poverty Strategy and Actions

The second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic is creating even worse economic damage to East Devon which requires short-term actions as well as strategic initiatives to be put in place immediately. There is concern about the process of holding Poverty Working Panel meetings in private when it should be transparent as well as the slow pace of results when the Council has already decided a ‘policy vision’ 12 months ago, namely:

 

• No one in East Devon is to be destitute without immediate help, and

• Nobody should be in involuntary poverty for more than two years duration.

 

There are ‘key issues’ which still need addressing urgently such as;

• Work with partners to address gaps in our benefit system and recommend solutions

• Use all available Government grants and policies to sustain incomes and reduce housing costs.

• Strengthen families and communities with clear signposting to help for those at risk of poverty including use of the Community Hub and EDDC Website to maximise help for those in economic problems

• Set up town-by-town briefing sessions in January on ways to access current support and develop financial resilience. Involve local town and Parish Councillors

• Promote help to sectors with long-term economic growth potential to reduce dependency on agriculture, tourism and catering industries

 

Poverty is a cross cutting issue, with several Council Services involved in our interventions and many partners to coordinate with. Other Councils are proceeding rapidly to develop ‘emergency actions’ which we should also consider and be reported to Overview Committee without delay.

 

It is vital that young people have access to East Devon local opportunities in the simplest way. With technology becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives. We recognise that Team Devon has proposed measures to help younger workers. It is considered that in East Devon this should also include those over 50 and we should seek in all age groups to address stress and depression issues. EDDC should seek to improve work placements and work trials for all ages of those seeking work. This should be a ‘significant priority’.

 

The Poverty Working Panel has identified the following five ‘strategic objectives’ to be included within the emerging Poverty Strategy which Council endorses:

1    Help people on low incomes to maximise their household income and minimise their costs, building financial resilience and reducing indebtedness. Lead Service – Finance.

2    Strengthen families and communities, including supporting groups of people that are more likely to experience poverty. Work up approaches with community and voluntary groups working to combat poverty. Lead Service – Housing.

3    Promote an inclusive economy, using career counselling, raising skills and improving access to a range of higher-paying employment opportunities for people on low incomes. Lead Service – Growth, Development & Prosperity.

4    Address the high cost of housing, improving housing conditions, creating affordable warmth and reducing homelessness. Lead Service – Housing.

5    Improving health outcomes for people on low incomes, including access to good diet, health care and ill health prevention. Lead Service – Environmental Health.

In the current circumstances, urgent action is required to deliver these strategic objectives to enable those in need to be helped as soon as possible.

This approach reflects evidence on the nature of poverty in East Devon and responds to changes in the current situation. Poverty is a cross cutting theme with a number of Council Services involved in our interventions and we look for good SMT coordination.

 

These strategies also build on the learning from the Council’s existing approach to supporting individuals and communities. This learning includes:

 

1.    The importance of balancing efforts to address the immediate effects of poverty, with preventative work to address the root causes of poverty. 

2.    Being clear on which issues can be addressed by direct delivery by Council services, which issues can be achieved through partnership working (where more can be achieved through collaboration), and which issues require influencing and lobbying activity (where powers lie with Government or other agencies).

3.   It confirms a need to build the capacity and resilience of residents and communities which is why the Forum should be open to the public. 

 

This Council therefore agrees that;

 

(1)  The ‘policy vision’ is incorporated immediately in the Poverty Strategy to help deliver the best response for our residents across East Devon;

 

(2)  Future meetings of the Panel should be in public and past meeting agendas and minutes made available;

 

(3)  To achieve faster actions the ‘key issues’ should immediately be addressed.

 

(4)  The Poverty Working Panel should immediately review ‘emergency actions’ by other Councils and provide a report to Overview Committee including comment on the budgets available across local Partnerships;

 

(5)  East Devon’s tactical response should include the ‘significant priority’ mentioned above.

 

(6)  It endorses the ‘strategic objectives’ in the emerging Poverty Strategy and asks for action proposals to address them to be presented to Cabinet within 2 months.

 

Proposed by Mike Allen

Seconded by Maddy Chapman

Supported by Helen Parr, Bruce de Saram, Stuart Hughes, Ben Ingham, Philip Skinner and Andrew Moulding

 

 

Motion:  Poverty Strategy and actions - Appendix 1                       

                                           

Poverty is defined in different ways including not having enough possessions or income for a person’s needs; the condition of being extremely poor; a person or community that lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living; household income below 60% of the average. Six types of poverty have been recognised – situational; generational; absolute; relative; urban; and rural.

 

The causes and effects of poverty identified by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, local stakeholders and consultees are summarised in the diagram below.

 Causes                                                                              Effects                                                                                      

Minutes:

The following motion was;

 

Proposed by Mike Allen

Seconded by Maddy Chapman

Supported by Helen Parr, Bruce de Saram, Stuart Hughes, Ben Ingham, Philip Skinner and Andrew Moulding

 

The second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic is creating even worse economic damage to East Devon which requires short-term actions as well as strategic initiatives to be put in place immediately. There is concern about the process of holding Poverty Working Panel meetings in private when it should be transparent as well as the slow pace of results when the Council has already decided a ‘policy vision’ 12 months ago, namely:

 

• No one in East Devon is to be destitute without immediate help, and

• Nobody should be in involuntary poverty for more than two years duration.

 

There are ‘key issues’ which still need addressing urgently such as;

• Work with partners to address gaps in our benefit system and recommend solutions

• Use all available Government grants and policies to sustain incomes and reduce housing costs.

• Strengthen families and communities with clear signposting to help for those at risk of poverty including use of the Community Hub and EDDC Website to maximise help for those in economic problems

• Set up town-by-town briefing sessions in January on ways to access current support and develop financial resilience. Involve local town and Parish Councillors

• Promote help to sectors with long-term economic growth potential to reduce dependency on agriculture, tourism and catering industries

 

Poverty is a cross cutting issue, with several Council Services involved in our interventions and many partners to coordinate with. Other Councils are proceeding rapidly to develop ‘emergency actions’ which we should also consider and be reported to Overview Committee without delay.

 

It is vital that young people have access to East Devon local opportunities in the simplest way. With technology becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives. We recognise that Team Devon has proposed measures to help younger workers. It is considered that in East Devon this should also include those over 50 and we should seek in all age groups to address stress and depression issues. EDDC should seek to improve work placements and work trials for all ages of those seeking work. This should be a ‘significant priority’.

 

The Poverty Working Panel has identified the following five ‘strategic objectives’ to be included within the emerging Poverty Strategy which Council endorses:

1    Help people on low incomes to maximise their household income and minimise their costs, building financial resilience and reducing indebtedness. Lead Service – Finance.

2    Strengthen families and communities, including supporting groups of people that are more likely to experience poverty. Work up approaches with community and voluntary groups working to combat poverty. Lead Service – Housing.

3    Promote an inclusive economy, using career counselling, raising skills and improving access to a range of higher-paying employment opportunities for people on low incomes. Lead Service – Growth, Development & Prosperity.

4    Address the high cost of housing, improving housing conditions, creating affordable warmth and reducing homelessness. Lead Service – Housing.

5    Improving health outcomes for people on low incomes, including access to good diet, health care and ill health prevention. Lead Service – Environmental Health.

In the current circumstances, urgent action is required to deliver these strategic objectives to enable those in need to be helped as soon as possible.

This approach reflects evidence on the nature of poverty in East Devon and responds to changes in the current situation. Poverty is a cross cutting theme with a number of Council Services involved in our interventions and we look for good SMT coordination.

 

These strategies also build on the learning from the Council’s existing approach to supporting individuals and communities. This learning includes:

 

1.    The importance of balancing efforts to address the immediate effects of poverty, with preventative work to address the root causes of poverty. 

2.    Being clear on which issues can be addressed by direct delivery by Council services, which issues can be achieved through partnership working (where more can be achieved through collaboration), and which issues require influencing and lobbying activity (where powers lie with Government or other agencies).

3.   It confirms a need to build the capacity and resilience of residents and communities which is why the Forum should be open to the public. 

 

This Council therefore agrees that;

 

(1)  The ‘policy vision’ is incorporated immediately in the Poverty Strategy to help deliver the best response for our residents across East Devon;

 

(2)  Future meetings of the Panel should be in public and past meeting agendas and minutes made available;

 

(3)  To achieve faster actions the ‘key issues’ should immediately be addressed.

 

(4)  The Poverty Working Panel should immediately review ‘emergency actions’ by other Councils and provide a report to Overview Committee including comment on the budgets available across local Partnerships;

 

(5)  East Devon’s tactical response should include the ‘significant priority’ mentioned above.

 

(6)    It endorses the ‘strategic objectives’ in the emerging Poverty Strategy and asks for action proposals to address them to be presented to Cabinet within 2 months.

 

 

The Chair invited the proposer, Cllr Allen, to speak to the motion.

 

Cllr Allen outlined the impact of COVID on health and the economy, and referred to studies undertaken on its effects on different sections of the community and businesses. The motion reflects the need to work together more creatively and quickly to address the issues.

 

Cllr Chapman seconded the motion, and expressed her concern about the plight of victims of domestic abuse at Christmas time and the new year which is usually a time when more violence and abuse takes place.

 

During a debate on the motion, comments included the following;

·         This is an opportunity as a Council to show residents that it can work quickly and collaboratively

·         The Poverty Working Panel (PWP) recognises the urgency of the situation for people and has a strategy and timetable for implementation for addressing the issues, which will include liaising with the Dept for Work & Pensions (DWP) and Citizens Advice Bureau.

·         Urgent action was needed for when furlough ended for people.

·         Poverty transcends politics and speed is important, so reports and actions should not be delayed by having to be processed by several committees. The work should be progressed through Cabinet and be part of the evolving Council Plan.

 

Cllr Ledger proposed an amendment to the motion but stated that he had circulated it to Cllr Allen prior to the meeting so that it did not become a political football or detract from the work of the PWP.

 

The following amendment to the motion was proposed by Cllr Ledger and seconded by Cllr Bailey;

 

 “This Council endorses the work of the Poverty Working Panel in seeking to identify and address poverty within the District. We are pleased to note that the 'policy vision' is being included in the strategy, that meetings are now being held in public and past minutes and agendas are also being made public.

 

Whilst acknowledging the work already being carried out by the Council across numerous service areas and the work of the Poverty Working Panel, this Council is concerned about the unprecedented challenges now being faced by many residents. In recognition of the worsening poverty crisis, Council hereby refers the motion to the first Cabinet meeting of 2021 to be held on 6th January for Cabinet to give it urgent consideration and to decide whether a further report should be prepared to identify practicable and affordable further actions with a view to:


- identifying any emergency actions for prioritisation; 

- helping address gaps in the benefit system;

- applying for all available grants;

- strengthening families and communities with clear signposting;

- improving communication with towns and parishes around financial resilience;

- promoting long term economic growth potential;

- addressing issues affecting all age groups with regard to mental health and employment.

-  assessing how the Poverty Strategy and action plan can be expedited by the Poverty Working Panel without compromising the evidenced based programme of work.”

 

Cllr Allen confirmed that he accepted the amendment as proposed by Cllr Ledger. On this basis, Cllr Ledger and Cllr Bailey agreed that they wanted the amended motion to go forward rather than be acknowledged as proposing a separate amendment to be voted on. The amended motion was to become the substantive motion and Cllrs Ledger and Bailey agreed that they should be shown as being in support of it.

 

The Chair invited Cllr Allen to sum up before moving to a vote on the amended motion.

Cllr Allen thanked the Chair and all Cllrs who agreed with the motion and emphasised the need to take urgent action.

 

A vote on the amended motion was carried unanimously.

 

 

RESOLVED that;

This Council endorses the work of the Poverty Working Panel in seeking to identify and address poverty within the District. We are pleased to note that the 'policy vision' is being included in the strategy, that meetings are now being held in public and past minutes and agendas are also being made public.

 

Whilst acknowledging the work already being carried out by the Council across numerous service areas and the work of the Poverty Working Panel, this Council is concerned about the unprecedented challenges now being faced by many residents. In recognition of the worsening poverty crisis, Council hereby refers the motion to the first Cabinet meeting of 2021 to be held on 6th January for Cabinet to give it urgent consideration and to decide whether a further report should be prepared to identify practicable and affordable further actions with a view to:


- identifying any emergency actions for prioritisation; 

- helping address gaps in the benefit system;

- applying for all available grants;

- strengthening families and communities with clear signposting;

- improving communication with towns and parishes around financial resilience;

- promoting long term economic growth potential;

- addressing issues affecting all age groups with regard to mental health and employment.

-  assessing how the Poverty Strategy and action plan can be expedited by the Poverty Working Panel without compromising the evidenced based programme of work.

 

 

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 7.54pm.