Issue - meetings

Poverty, homelessness, human rights and health & wellbeing in East Devon - scoping report

Meeting: 28/03/2019 - Overview Committee (Item 28)

28 Poverty, homelessness, human rights and health and wellbeing in East Devon - scoping report pdf icon PDF 299 KB

In December a motion was put to full Council - “Following the findings of both the UK Equalities and Human Rights Commission and the UN Special Rapporteur on the impact of benefits changes and other spending cuts on people living in the UK, this Council will receive a report on the potential impacts on residents in East Devon and the need for further support from this Council, for example in supporting the roll-out of Universal Credit, homelessness prevention or for local food banks.”

 

This report, presented to Cabinet on 6 March 2019, attempts to scope the subject and suggest themes for further investigation to provide a locally meaningful analysis of poverty and interventions that we can influence/action to alleviate the impact of poverty on individuals and communities.

 

Cabinet resolved that the themes for a localised investigation and analysis of poverty and related social welfare issues, working with Devon County Council, and report back on the findings, be agreed.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet received the report at their meeting of the 6 March 2019, in response to a Council motion in December 2018.

 

The motion put was “Following the findings of both the UK Equalities and Human Rights Commission and the UN Special Rapporteur on the impact of benefits changes and other spending cuts on people living in the UK, this Council will receive a report on the potential impacts on residents in East Devon and the need for further support from this Council, for example in supporting the roll-out of Universal Credit, homelessness prevention or for local food banks”.

 

The report tried to scope the subject, and suggested themes for further investigation to provide a locally meaningful analysis of poverty and interventions that could influence, and perhaps provide action, to alleviate the impact of poverty on individuals and communities. It was recognised that the implications highlighted were as a result of national social welfare policy decisions, where the Council had limited influence. The report also proposed that the council work alongside Devon County Council, who were also investigating the issues and share the same concerns.

 

Cabinet resolved to agree the scope with the themes set out in the report, namely:

·         Welfare benefits

·         Homelessness

·         Food banks

·         Local economy

·         Health and wellbeing of individuals and communities

 

Draft terms of reference have been made for this work, falling to the formed Devon Strategic Partnership Welfare Task Group.  This group includes representation from East Devon District Council.

 

The committee discussed:

·         Including in the review what local services can provide;

·         Defining affordable homes and pushing back against developer arguments for not fulfilling the target percentage of affordable homes being built;

·         Impact on affordable housing, recognising housing crisis, and reduction or withdrawal of grants to build homes;

·         Profit had increased for house builders.

 

Cllr Allen tabled a paper setting out his suggestions for key areas of focus for the Council’s approach that should be included, which is appended to these minutes.  The suggestions would go forward with the minutes of the meeting to the Task Group.

 

RECOMMENDED to Cabinet
that the additional suggestions for key areas of focus go forward to the Devon Strategic Partnership Welfare Task Group for consideration alongside Cabinet’s agreed themes of the scope.


Meeting: 06/03/2019 - Cabinet (Item 175)

175 Poverty, homelessness, human rights and health & wellbeing in East Devon - scoping report pdf icon PDF 299 KB

In December a motion was put to full Council - “Following the findings of both the UK Equalities and Human Rights Commission and the UN Special Rapporteur on the impact of benefits changes and other spending cuts on people living in the UK, this Council will receive a report on the potential impacts on residents in East Devon and the need for further support from this Council, for example in supporting the roll-out of Universal Credit, homelessness prevention or for local food banks.”

 

This report attempts to scope the subject and suggest themes for further investigation to provide a locally meaningful analysis of poverty and interventions that we can influence/action to alleviate the impact of poverty on individuals and communities.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In December a motion was put to full Council - “Following the findings of both the UK Equalities and Human Rights Commission and the UN Special Rapporteur on the impact of benefits changes and other spending cuts on people living in the UK, this Council will receive a report on the potential impacts on residents in East Devon and the need for further support from this Council, for example in supporting the roll-out of Universal Credit, homelessness prevention or for local food banks.”

 

The report attempted to scope the subject and suggest themes for further investigation to provide a locally meaningful analysis of poverty and interventions that could influence/action to alleviate the impact of poverty on individuals and communities. It was recognised that the implications highlighted were as a result of national social welfare policy decisions where the council had limited influence. The report also proposed that the council work with Devon County Council who were also investigating the issues and share the same concerns.

 

In the discussion it was noted the need to involve local groups and charities who work directly with the homeless.

 

RESOLVED:

that the themes for a localised investigation and analysis of poverty and related social welfare issues, working with Devon County Council, and report back on the findings, be agreed.

 

REASON:

To consider the impacts of poverty and related welfare issues locally

following changes to national policy relating to welfare reform and

homelessness, and the actions taken to alleviate the effects of poverty on individuals and communities in East Devon.