Issue - meetings

Briefing Note of the Cabinet Member – Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services

Further to Minute No. 24 of the meeting held on 2 November 2021 the Committee considered a Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty update of the Head of Health and Wellbeing and Cabinet Member - Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services.

The update provided information on the latest meeting of the Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty (WRAP) Cabinet Member Reference Group and in particular on activities associated with:

·       The cost-of-living crisis

·       Community pantry

·       Childhood poverty in Sefton

·       Feedback from Marmot work

·       Council tax energy rebate

·       Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme

·       Child poverty and children entering care

·       Household support grant

·       Healthy start voucher uptake

·       A request for action that period poverty be discussed at the next WRAP meeting

Councillor Lappin, Cabinet Member – Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services presented the update.

Members of the Committee asked questions/commented on the following issues:

·       The establishment of “warm hubs”, places within local communities where people could be assured of finding a safe, warm and friendly environment; and whether updates could be provided on such “warm hubs”. The importance of a co-ordinated approach to the establishment of “warm hubs” was stressed to ensure adequate provision throughout the week. It was noted that updates would be provided via Cost of Living Crisis reports to Cabinet and Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty Cabinet Member Reference Group reports; and that the matter was being coordinated by Councillor Hardy, Cabinet Member – Communities and Housing and the Neighbourhoods Team

·       The great service provided by the St. Leonard’s Youth and Community Centre food pantry

RESOLVED:  That

(1)      the update on the operation of the Members’ Welfare Reform Reference Group be noted; and

(2)      Councillor Lappin be thanked for her update.

Briefing Note of the Cabinet Member – Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services