Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision: The City Council plans to develop an Anti-Poverty Strategy with the aim of improving the standard of living and daily lives of those residents in Cambridge who were currently experiencing poverty, but also to alleviate issues that could lead households to experience financial pressures. The aim of the Strategy was to bring greater focus and coordination to the Council’s existing efforts to address poverty, while identifying areas where the Council could have even greater impact. The report set out the broad approach for the development of the Strategy and proposed draft objectives for public consultation.

 

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources 

 

The Executive Councillor resolved:

 

i.       To approve the draft objectives for the Anti-Poverty Strategy, as set out at 4.10 of the officer’s report.

 

ii.     To approve use of the draft objectives for the Anti-Poverty Strategy, set out at 4.10 of the officer’s report, as the interim objectives for the Sharing Prosperity Fund until the final Strategy was completed.

 

iii.   To approve the proposed approach and timescales for developing the Anti-Poverty Strategy, as set out at 4.11 of the officer’s report.

 

Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the officer’s report

 

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the officer’s report

 

Scrutiny Considerations:

 

The committee received a report from the Strategy and Partnerships Manager.

 

In response to member’s questions the Strategy and Partnerships Manager said the following:

 

i.                 Much work was already being undertaken with residents on low incomes and further targeted initiatives had been identified in the budget amendment.

ii.               Partnership working would be required to fully address poverty issues across the City.

 

At the request of Councillor Cantrill the recommendations were voted on separately.

 

The Scrutiny Committee considered the recommendations and endorsed them by:

 

i.       Unanimously: To approve the draft objectives for the Anti-Poverty Strategy, as set out at 4.10 of the officer’s report.

 

ii.     By 5 votes to 0: To approve use of the draft objectives for the Anti-Poverty Strategy, set out at 4.10 of the officer’s report, as the interim objectives for the Sharing Prosperity Fund until the final Strategy was completed.

 

iii.   Unanimously: To approve the proposed approach and timescales for developing the Anti-Poverty Strategy, as set out at 4.11 of the officer’s report.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

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

 

Not applicable.