Decision details

To decide on how to respond to the 'Good Food' motion moved at the Council meeting on 19th April 2018, including the proposal to adopt a Sustainable Food Policy.

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report responded to issues raised by Councillor Gillespie’s motion to Council on 19 April 2018, which was referred for Executive Councillor decision.  It proposed the council adopt a Sustainable Food Policy Statement, and sets out the wide range of projects, policies and initiatives in place across the council to support sustainable food and tackle food poverty.

 

The report also acknowledged the innovative work that is taking place across Cambridge to help the city become a leader in sustainable food practice. It highlighted the emergence of Cambridge Sustainable Food from the community and voluntary sector and the role it was now playing in gaining further national recognition for sustainable food work that has been carried out locally and in delivering local projects.

 

The council’s contribution was highlighted in the report, particularly around food poverty and climate change. It recommended that we now formally recognise Cambridge Sustainable Food as the lead body for sustainable food in the city and help support its work, where possible, and look at our own food practice to ensure that we, where practical, apply sustainable food principles. 

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Environmental Services and City Centre

       i.          Recognised the role of Cambridge Sustainable Food in acting as an umbrella organisation in Cambridge that brings together a range of organisations with an interest in promoting sustainable food within the National Sustainable Food Cities Network.

     ii.          Asked officers to work with Cambridge Sustainable Food in submitting a bid to the national Sustainable Food Cities Network for their Silver Award, contributing to the action plan where appropriate.

   iii.          Adopted the Sustainable Food Policy Statement set out in draft at Appendix A of the Officer’s report.

   iv.          Undertook to report these decisions to Council at its July meeting.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Corporate Strategy.

 

The Executive Councillor said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          The Council was looking at the possibility of providing drink fountains in public parks. It was working with businesses to provide free water refills where people had their own bottles in the meantime.

     ii.          There were restrictions on public water fountain use as water had to be tested to provide a regular safe service.

   iii.          Undertook to ask Officers to review what food could be sold in vending machines in council buildings to provide alternatives to unhealthy foods. Vending machines food maybe specified by contract.

 

Councillor Gillespie made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          Welcomed the report in response to his motion at Council. The motion did include a proposal for a consultation, which Councillor Gillespie hoped would occur in future.

     ii.          Preferred wording as per paragraph 5.11 rather than 4.11, “where possible” allowed peopled to wriggle out of their responsibilities.

   iii.          Expressed regret the City Council could not support fair trade activities.

   iv.          The City Council should ensure event organisers did not provide single use cups.

    v.          The Sustainable Cities Network was reviewing gold and silver awards on recycling.

 

The Head of Corporate Strategy responded:

·       The Events Policy had been reviewed recently. The Council could only take action where it had the power to do so.

·       He hoped the Council received some recognition for its work on sustainable food, even if it did not get Sustainable Cities Network gold standard.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.