Agenda item

The Director of Finance submits a report that details the provision of food banks within the city, and outlines the work undertaken to identify and support the organisations delivering emergency food and to develop a strategy for the city as a result of research undertaken.  The Commission is asked to note the impacts and trends highlighted in the report and comment on initial findings if appropriate.

The Director of Finance submitted a report that provided details of the provision of food banks within the city and which outlined the work undertaken to identify and support the organisations delivering emergency food.

It was noted that a letter had been received from the Race Equality Centre (TREC) in relation to the Equality Impact Assessment (EAI) included in the report.  The Chair remarked that the feedback from TREC was welcome and explained that the EIA referred to the implications from the report, rather than being a full EIA. The Chair requested that this should be made clear in future reports.  The meeting heard that a formal response to the letter would be sent to TREC.

The Head of Revenue and Benefits presented the report which members of the commission considered in detail. Members noted that 86% of Leicester’s food banks were now primarily or solely dependent on FareShare Leicester for the supply of their emergency food provision. During 2013, FareShare had struggled to source long life food and had increasingly shifted its emphasis towards chilled and fresh food as this was more readily available from its wholesale partners. The change in the emphasis of the type of food provision meant that food providers needed appropriate storage facilities such as freezers or refrigerators, thus incurring additional costs and needing appropriate space. There were also regulatory implications to be taken into account as a result of the changes of the type of food provision. Some of the changes that FareShare were introducing, led to concerns by providers as to how they would operate in the future. Members were pleased to note that as well as support from the local authority, the food bank providers were also supporting each other.

The meeting heard that a questionnaire was being circulated to residents who used the food banks to gather information about the users and where the food banks were most needed.

Members expressed great concern at the number of people nationally who needed food parcels. The ensuing discussion included the following points:

·         Members were pleased that the local authority was taking an active role in supporting food banks.

·         It was questioned whether it would be possible to help people grow their own food; it was acknowledged that there was a long waiting list for allotments.

Assistant City Mayor Russell responded that as part of the Leicester Food Plan, they were looking at ways of supporting people to do this. The Head of Revenue and Benefits added that the council were trying tie in the work with the food banks with the initiatives that were taking place.

·         The Chair questioned how many of the food banks operated on a referral basis only; the Head of Revenue and Benefits agreed to check and let the Chair know.

·         Concerns were expressed for families that might be in desperate need for food. The commission heard that there was an emergency phone number and Co-op food vouchers and fuel vouchers could be provided very quickly. This emergency telephone number had been given to ward councillors and local organisations.

·         A member commented that in Eyres Monsell, residents were being encouraged to grow their own food, through such initiatives such as a community garden, a community orchard and free seeds. A number of events were also held where residents could obtain advice.

It was acknowledged that there were significant changes to the way that FareShare was operating. The commission heard that FareShare were sending out invoices to the organisations for membership renewal; if the payment was not forthcoming, they would contact the organisations to ascertain if there were difficulties.

The commission heard that food banks were also adding value to the food parcels they provided by offering cookery courses so that people could learn what to cook with the items they were given. They were also signposting to other relevant organisations to enable residents to access appropriate help.

The Chair concluded the discussion and stated that they welcomed the work that was taking place in respect of the food banks in the city.

RESOLVED:

                        that the commission note the report and recommend that:

1)    that the local authority encourage the providers to keep accurate usage figures; 

2)    that the relationships and communication between the local authority and the providers should be maintained;

3)    to continue to signpost to enable people to seek appropriate help; and

4)    to support networking and to invite ward councillors to networking forums where appropriate