Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 March 2024 were noted as a true and accurate record.

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There were none.

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No members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting.

The Assistant Director Revenues, Benefits, Customer Services, Fraud & Compliance introduced this report which set out proposed updated Terms of Reference, with a view to providing greater clarity and relevance on the role of the Poverty Working Panel moving forward.

RECOMMENDED to Cabinet to approve the updated Terms of Reference for the Poverty Working Panel.

Members received the template work programme for the Poverty Working Panel for 2024-2025 and were encouraged to input into the programme, to shape the meetings of the Panel going forward. 

The Assistant Director Revenues, Benefits, Customer Services, Fraud & Compliance presented this briefing paper which detailed proposed timelines for updating the Poverty Strategy, noting that the current strategy ends on 1 July 2024. 

It was intended to consult with the Poverty Working Panel and with the voluntary sector, to receive contributions to help shape the emerging new strategy.

Members discussed priorities for the strategy, and noted the report.

The Chair outlined proposals to hold a Voluntary Sector Anti-Poverty Event in the autumn, to coincide with the first anniversary of the VCSE.  This event would be an opportunity for networking between ourselves and community groups, listening and learning from our partners to help shape and inform our work, raising awareness of the work we are doing to help reduce poverty across the district including our updated Poverty Strategy.  The day would include having key note speakers.

Members suggested to contact the Assistant Director on any feedback they had on what should be included as part of the event. 

Members expressed unanimous support for the proposed event.

The Benefits & Financial Resilience Manager presented this report which provided an update on deployment of Household Support Fund (HSF) 4, and detailed the HSF5 policy agreed by Cabinet on 5 June 2024.  The report also set out future considerations, given that the future of the HSF beyond the end of September 2024 is unknown, and may not continue.

Discussion and clarification included the following points:

·        The financial resilience team continue to work with residents to support them to reduce their outgoings and increase incomes, particularly where there has been a repeat need for emergency help.

·        The team also work collaboratively with a range of agencies and different voluntary groups to access the right support for residents.  

·        Voluntary groups can be invited to register their organisation with the Devon Connect online database, a community hub which aims to connect people to their community and promote social action.

Members noted the report.

The Public Health Project Officer introduced this item, outlining how the new Public Health Strategy and some of its uppermost priorities link to the work of the Poverty Panel. These priorities include:

·        Cost of living crisis

·        Mental health

·        Unpaid carers

·        Loneliness and social isolation (also known as social health)

·        Dementia

·        Homelessness, housing and indoor environment factors.

Members were encouraged to use the Public Health Strategy as a tool to help to influence the decisions they take in other committee meetings, which will in turn align with the Council’s anti-poverty strategies.