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Issue - meetings

Meeting: 01/10/2020 - Council (Item 313)

Food Justice

Councillor Aves to move:

 

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.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Aves MOVED and Councillor Ackland SECONDED

 

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.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.



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