Decision details

Pursuant to County Council Minute 313 of 1 October 2020 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Aves that: 

            This Council notes:

That Trussell Trust research shows three million children in the UK are at risk of hunger during the school holidays.

The Trussell Trust anticipates that ending furlough in October would trigger a rise in foodbank use of at least 61%.

Foodbank use has already dramatically increased. The Independent Food Aid Network recorded a 59% increase in demand for emergency food support between February and March 2020.

The Covid-19 emergency has exposed major health inequalities across the country with children and families suffering disproportionately.

Between March and August 2020 there has already been a 115% increase in Universal Credit claimants nationally and in Devon even greater, 165% for all claimants and 173% for 16-24 year olds.

That Government has committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which have an international and domestic commitment to ending hunger by 2030.

That Government has asked Henry Dimbleby to lead on producing a National Food Strategy.

This Council believes:

No one in the UK should go hungry, not least children.

Food justice is about taking action on the causes of hunger such as affordability and availability of good nutritious food. That the stopping of

furlough payments will lead to further unemployment and more food poverty as a result.

Local councils, schools and communities play a key role in supporting those that are experiencing food poverty during the Covid-19 pandemic and that should be recognised.

The Council resolves to:

1. Nominate an existing cabinet member to take on responsibility for Food Justice.

2. Commit to setting up a food partnership to work with district councils and other partners to develop a Food Action Plan.

3. Re-double its efforts to increase Free School Meal sign ups to ensure that all those who are entitled to them or need them, receive them.

4. Encourage Scrutiny to look at the extent of food poverty – map it and understand what is going on across the County.

5. Write in association with Devon MPs, to encourage Government to:

a) commit to legislate the existing commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to end hunger by 2030;

b) commit funding in the next spending review for the five Sustain policies to protect children's health and increase access to nutritious food that is culturally appropriate, because the National Food Strategy will take a year to be adopted;

c) support our local food production and suppliers, our farming and fishing industries in Devon, to protect workers jobs so that our food supplies are sustained throughout the pandemic and any shortages or delays experienced during the EU Brexit;

d) increase Universal Credit so people can buy enough food;

e) immediately act to help those most affected. 

and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 581a of 11 November 2020 that Council:

(a) ask the Leader to nominate an existing Cabinet Member to take on responsibility for Food Insecurity.  

(b) support the creation of a working group within Devon County Council (DCC) to develop further understanding of the Council’s role around food supply, resilience and insecurity. This will include, but is not limited to:

(i) considering the development of a Devon Food Partnership using the Sustainable Food Places approach to strengthen food resilience in the county; and

(ii) the development of a food resilience strategy for Devon County Council 

(c) encourage Scrutiny to look at the extent of food insecurity in Devon.

(d) continue to work with Devon MPs to encourage Government to:

(i)            Support our local economy, including agriculture.

(ii)          Ensure resilience of our food supply chains.

(iii)         Support food-based initiatives that reduce health inequalities and food insecurity.

Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion.