Agenda item
Food banks
Minutes:
Councillor Denselow moved the motion circulated in his name. He applauded the staff and volunteers working at food banks. He submitted that cuts to social safety nets had gone too far and children were being put into poverty. Half a million people were now visiting food banks and consideration needed to be given to how they could be better supported. In support it was claimed that ordinary people were facing very challenging circumstances and were now having to turn to food banks. It was important that they were treated with dignity and respect. Whilst supporting food banks the motion was criticised for politicising the issue. It was submitted that other organisations that helped people cook properly for themselves should also be supported and that the issue of food wastage by retailers needed to be tackled. The Trussell Trust was thanked for the work it did to support food banks but a point of view was put that it was not the fault of the Government that had led to the increased use of food banks but that a long term solution was needed to fill gaps in the welfare system.
The motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.
RESOLVED
(i) that Brent Council unreservedly condemns the behaviour of the MPs representing the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government who jeered their way through and walked out of the special parliamentary debate on the increasing reliance of UK citizens on food banks held in the House of Commons on the 18th December 2013;
(ii) that the Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan-Smith, who exited this debate after just one hour, and Minister for Food, Owen Paterson – who did not attend it at all – be invited to witness first-hand the urgent and growing need being met by food banks in Brent; with councillors welcoming the opportunity to demonstrate to Ministers the fantastic service provided by food banks to the many hard-working parents in the borough who would otherwise have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table;
(iii) that the proliferation of food banks throughout the world’s seventh richest country be recognised as a damning indictment of the Government’s failed economic policies, which are forcing Brent families to rely on food banks to get by as energy bills, rents and transport fares continue to rise;
(iv) that continued support be provided to local food banks by helping these organisations to find suitable facilities; providing them with financial advice; and by building and strengthening referral pathways to community and voluntary sector institutions dedicated to combatting poverty, such as credit unions;
(v) that thanks be extended to the staff and volunteers – including councillors from all parties and council staff – who support local food banks and to the many Brent residents who generously donate food to these organisations, or who have signed the petition calling for an inquiry into the growing dependence on food aid; the petition thus far attracting over 150,000 signatures nationwide;
(vi) that the Coalition Government be urged to recognise the destruction their cruel disregard for the cost of living is reaping throughout areas such as Brent, and Ministers be called on to enter into a genuine dialogue with local communities to address the growing food bank crisis now.