Agenda and minutes

Report of the Managing Director

Council believes:

1.    The Covid Pandemic has accelerated the devastating issue of food insecurity.

2.    Headline findings from a new report released by the Food Foundation states that food insecurity remains at crisis levels, with devastating impact on the most vulnerable.

3.    Food insecurity remains higher than pre- covid levels, affecting an estimated 4.7 million adults (9% of households) over the last six months, compared to pre covid levels of 7.6%.  55% of those experiencing food insecurity an estimated 2.5 million) said it was because they did not have enough money for food.

4.    Groups found to be at higher risk were People with disabilities, BAME households, households with children and food sector workers.

5.    Although we recognize and welcome the holiday activity funds this is only a temporary measure and food banks and The Bread and Butter Thing are only masking the serious issue of food insecurity.

6.    The UK Government must act now to address this for the long term.  The UK Government needs to make food security a priority in the recovery phase.  We must move away from short term solutions and prioritise policies that will address the underlying causes of this issue.

Council resolves to:

1.    Ask the UK Government to conduct an urgent review of the current eligibility threshold for Free School Meals to ensure no disadvantaged child is excluded.

2.    Request to the UK Government that a designated authority be appointed to be responsible for monitoring and tackling food insecurity long term.

Council believes:

1.    Fireworks are a traditional way of celebrating key dates such as Guy Fawkes Night, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.

2.    Public fireworks displays at such occasions can foster a great community spirit.

3.    However, it is well known that fireworks can cause serious trauma to some people with autism, war veterans suffering PTSD, and pets/other animals.

4.    Fireworks are often set off throughout the year, often just for the purpose of causing a nuisance, and are even thrown at emergency service personnel on occasion.

5.    Hi tech alternatives to fireworks, e.g. drone displays or lasers, can be an even more spectacular way to mark special events.

6.    That the creation of a new Office for Product Safety and Standards, which will support local authorities in reviewing and enforcing the current guidance materials on the safe and responsible use of fireworks, is a positive step.

Council resolves to:

1.    To ask Cabinet to consider requiring all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people;

2.    To ask Cabinet to consider actively promoting a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and animal welfare – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks;

3.    To write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays as per RSPCA guidance;

4.    To back the RSPCA campaign to encourage suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display;

5.    To promote alternatives to fireworks.