Issue - items at meetings - Brighton & Hove Child Poverty Strategy 2012-2015

Report of the Strategic Director: People (copy attached).

RESOLVED:

(1)               That the Child Poverty Commissioning Strategy as presented in appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

(2)               That the progression of the Child Poverty Commissioning Strategy to the Public Service Board (PSB) and the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) for their approval be agreed.

195.1    Councillor Shanks introduced the report which detailed the proposed Child Commissioning Strategy for the city.  She stated that it was very sad to think that 20% of children were living in poverty and that 22% of children and young people in the city were in poverty.  She stated that the strategy was effectively a Families in Poverty Strategy and noted that the figures were likely to increase in the current economic climate.  The aim of the strategy was to target lone parents and families with complex problems and she hoped it would be fully supported.

195.2    Councillor Mitchell stated that it was regrettable that such a report had to be received but she felt that it was an excellent strategy and she fully supported the steps proposed.  There had been an excellent consultation process and it was important to recognise the good work that took lace across the city.

195.3    Councillor G. Theobald welcomed the strategy and hoped that various elements would work together rather than any overlapping of responsibilities take place e.g. Joint Commissioning Board and the Child Poverty Task Group.

195.4    Councillor Shanks welcomed the comments and stated that she believed the strategy would enable various bodies and agencies to work cohesively.

195.5     RESOLVED:

(1)         That the Child Poverty Commissioning Strategy as presented in appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

(2)         That the progression of the Child Poverty Commissioning Strategy to the Public Service Board (PSB) and the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) for their approval be agreed.

32.1    Sarah Colombo – Childcare Strategy Manager presented the report highlighting the accountability diagram which showed the role, membership and the reporting structure of the Child Poverty Task Group plus the 4 strategic outcomes. Progress of the task group would be reported back to the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). Monitoring would take place by speaking with the most vulnerable families.

32.2Members raised a number of points including:

1.                  How did the Child Poverty Strategy tie into the Youth Services Strategy and the Joint Commissioning Group? Members were told that it was important that work was not duplicated, that the two strategies worked along side each other and would have their own targets to work to.

2.                  How would there be ongoing commitment to the third sector on the delivery of services and advice with the challenges of budget savings? It was noted that services that were commissioned would continue delivering services. Data capture could be improved significantly to reach out to the correct families, simple improvements such as ensuring forms had tick boxes to collate parental status ie. single/ couple.

3.                  What were the reporting timescales of the Task Group?  Members were told how information would be used intelligently and would feed into the indicators. There would be sufficient time to develop how the group operates and review gaps such as educational attainment.

4.                  A Youth Council representative asked why Black Minority and Ethnic (BME) families were more prone to being in poverty. The Committee heard how statically this wasn’t always the case. Traditionally patterns of living were that families were large and just one parent would work. Statistics showed that Bangladeshi and Pakistani families may experience child poverty out of the BME group. Changes over the generations showed a difference in living cultures.

5.                  Members agreed that the strategy had real value. Members voiced their concerns that child poverty was still present and that it was unacceptable how school trips were not made available to all children. School contingency funds should be used for children who were not able to go on such trips. Members were told that there was some good work in schools but further engagement was still needed ie. with the Parent Teachers Association, Governors  to improve their relationship with parents and eradicate the social stigma around child poverty by raising awareness. It was unknown how long this process would take and when feedback would be given to the LSP on this. It was agreed that schools were fundamental in the success of the strategy.

6.                  A Youth Council representative asked how would the Council support families wanting to claim disability benefits, as it was felt the government were cutting back nationally. The committee heard to help reach the most vulnerable families, for instance those with disabilities where access to all eligible benefits can make a substantial difference to family income.

7.                  How were non local authority schools being encouraged to work with this strategy, members were told that academies would need to be involved and they were usually located within communities that were disadvantaged.

8.                  Simple steps within schools could be taken, for example unclaimed lost and found uniforms could be distributed to most vulnerable children within the school.

9.                  A Youth Council representative asked for more clarification about how the Council plans to make public transport more affordable to young people in the city. The Council could not guarantee they could deliver this but would be investigating whether there were avenues to do this. It was noted that during the consultation families had commented on how expensive transportation was within the city.

10.             Concerns over loan sharks, the Committee heard that there had been an increase in loan sharks. The Council are working collaboratively with the regional office for the prevention of loan sharking

11.             A Youth Council representative enquired around increased access to affordable good quality food, further clarification to explain what exactly this meant and examples of how this could be made possible? Members were told that the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership have strategic outcomes to get fresh affordable produce to more local outlets. The strategy could bring up various opportunities and these were being mapped.

12.             An increase in childminders may give more disadvantaged families the opportunity to use more affordable child care, plus provide employment for parents, the committee heard that nationally there was a decrease in childminders. Childminders in the City have vacancies.

13.             The transition from primary to secondary schools could be challenging for the most vulnerable children how would the fall out be managed; members were told that the Education Commission were focussing on preparedness for the most vulnerable students. 

32.3The Chair thanked the Officer for a significant piece of work.

32.4RESOLVED -  CYPOSC noted the report and made suggestions.