Agenda item

The Director of Finance submits a report providing an overview and brief history of the Council-funded Food Bank provision and forthcoming developments for the Emergency Food provision in the City.  The Commission is recommended to note and comment on the impacts and trends highlighted in the report and on findings and the updated food action plan as appropriate.

The Director of Finance submitted a report providing an overview and brief history of Council-funded Food Bank provision and forthcoming developments for emergency food provision in the City.

The Head of Revenues and Customer Support introduced the report, explaining that:

·           There were approximately 22 emergency food outlets in the city.  This number could vary, because as outlets closed others opened.  However, there were fewer organisations providing this assistance than there had been three years previously.  Also, there were gaps in provision across the city, but it was hoped that the new network would make it possible to identify gaps and take action to minimise their impact;

·           The Council procured emergency food provision on a crisis basis.  The central provision was through Action Homeless, based in the Malcolm Arcade;

·           Action Homeless also was responsible for facilitating the Leicester City Emergency Food Partnership network.  This network encouraged organisations providing emergency food to act co-operatively;

·           Approximately 800 one-day food parcels were given out, along with approximately 2,000 3-day parcels across the city.  Recipients also could top up fuel cards, as crisis was linked to food and fuel poverty;

·           Food currently was sourced from food drives and the FairShare charity, but this was not sustainable.  For example, the cost of membership of FairShare doubled over the last few years, which made it difficult for food banks to raise the necessary funding;

·           Nationally, a community supermarket model was considered to be a good alternative to food banks.  Anyone identified as eligible would be able to shop there and buy food at up to a 70% discount;

·           Some of the funding needed to operate a community supermarket model of food distribution could be obtained from the operation of a café at the shop.  Advice also would be available in the café;

·           The possibility of establishing a community supermarket in the city would be explored with Action Homeless and a feasibility study would be undertaken during 2016/17.  As Action Homeless had only just started its contract with the Council, it was anticipated that feasibility options would be discussed within the next year;

·           A Food Strategy was being drafted; and

·           The key points for resolution set out in the report were very similar to those that had been raised over the last few years.  However, the sector now was more engaged with the process and understood the need for a co-ordinated approach, which should make it easier to address these points.

Councillor Waddington, Assistant City Mayor for Jobs and Skills, noted that there was no indication that the number of people needing crisis assistance would reduce.  Also, co-ordination was needed, as what food banks offered could vary greatly, as did the rules they operated under.  An additional consideration was that some people receiving food parcels could have no access to a fridge or freezer.

Councillor Waddington welcomed the idea of a community supermarket and café.  However, it could be difficult for volunteers to set up and run this type of enterprise, so a paid managerial presence probably would be needed.  It also needed to be noted that some people would be unable to afford to buy food, even at 70% off usual prices.

The Head of Revenues and Customer Support advised the Commission that Action Homeless held a list of volunteers who could assist organisations when needed.  Members suggested that Voluntary Action LeicesterShire could train volunteers, but it was recognised that not all volunteers wanted to work on food banks.

The Commission thanked all volunteers working to ensure that those in need received food parcels and hot meals.

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted;

2)    That a feasibility study in to the introduction of community supermarket provision in the city be supported;

3)    That the concerns for providers of food and fuel crisis support be noted and the Head of Revenues and Customer Support asked to identify ways to address these as quickly as possible;

4)    That the Head of Revenues and Customer Support be asked to:

a)     invite Action Homeless to contact faith communities providing emergency food provision, to invite them to be included in the Council’s food bank provision; and

b)     liaise with Voluntary Action LeicesterShire about the provision of volunteers, particularly in relation to problems being experienced in the Braunstone area; and

5)    That the Director of Delivery, Communication and Political Governance be asked to liaise with the Chair about the possibility of offering a standing invitation to representatives of Voluntary Action LeiceterShire to attend meetings of this Commission as observers.