Agenda item

To consider the following motions received under Standing Order No. 7:-

(a)        Right to Food

Proposer: Councillor Piper

         Seconder: Councillor Rollins

         “That this Council notes that approximately 11 million people in the UK are experiencing food insecurity;

Further notes that the use of food banks was increasing before the covid-19 pandemic, and has effectively doubled during the pandemic and all indications are that this situation will continue to get worse;

Is concerned that children in particular have been badly affected by the covid-19 crisis and the Trussell Trust that administers many of the nation’s foodbanks reported that 2.5 million emergency food parcels were given to people in crisis in the year to March 2021

Acknowledges the profound and devastating consequences of food insecurity on the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of people in our communities;

This Council believes that the Government has a duty to ensure nobody in our communities goes hungry and requests that the Leader of the Council writes to the Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs outlining the Councils view that the “Right to Food” should be enshrined in UK law in order to make clear this obligation; and calls on the Government to set positive targets and monitor progress accordingly and include the “Right to Food” in the Government’s National Food Strategy white paper which is due to be published in 2021.”

(b)        SEND Transport

Proposer: Councillor Anandou

Seconder: Councillor Fisher

“That this Council welcomes an independent external review into the SEND transport procurement and the future delivery model for SEN Passenger Transport. 

It also notes the respective work of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and relevant Scrutiny Boards into this matter so that all lessons are learned and recommendations on an effective and efficient future model are implemented.”

(c)         Brandhall

Proposer: Councillor Chapman

Seconder: Councillor Anandou

“This Council recognises the benefits of open space in relation to the wellbeing of current and future residents of the Borough.  Access to open space has demonstrable links to health benefits alongside the broader positive impact that green space has on the climate.  

The coronavirus pandemic saw an increase in the number of residents regularly using our green open space and there are significant local concerns around the potential loss of this space for redevelopment. 

Brandhall as a former golf course has been identified as a site for redevelopment and the Council undertook a public consultation between November and December 2019 requesting views on three potential visions for the site which included a school which would be a replacement for Causeway Green Primary, housing to address the housing shortage, and a public park.  In light of the increase in external recreation activities, it is an appropriate time for the Council to review and reconsider its position in relation to this space. This Council calls for the relevant scrutiny boards, to work closely with the local residents to consider and make recommendations to Cabinet on the outcome of the consultation and future of Brandhall recognising the Council’s Climate Change, Living Well agenda and the wishes of the local residents.”