Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Play Development  Officer regarding support given to Food Hubs as part of the Coronavirus community response.

The report outlined:

      i.          That Cambridge City Council have been working with community and faith groups, partner agencies and over 1500 volunteers to support 700 households during lockdown and distribute £14,000 of grant funding

     ii.          The City Council supported Cambridge Sustainable Food in the creation of eight food hubs since March, which in addition to five existing food banks were aimed at tackling food poverty during the pandemic. In addition, Cambridge Sustainable Food were also being supported to set up a permanent food distribution hub.

   iii.          Food banks in the city require a referral and voucher provided by a doctor, community work, school or similar, whereas food hubs were not means tested. 113 tons of food had been distributed by food hubs in Cambridge, including 10,000 cooked meals prepared and delivered.

   iv.          Council staff from several departments had been redeployed since March to support the emergency food effort.

    v.          Local communities had organised support networks, websites, telephone schemes and groups to help each other which has given a strong sense of community and connectedness.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

      i.          Councillor McPherson stated this would be a good time to mention the Volunteer for Cambridge Awards 2020, details of which are available on the council website. He also thanked the officer for everything they, and all other volunteers had done.

     ii.          Councillor Dryden thanked the volunteers, including those around the Cherry Hinton area, and Councillor Collis who has been organising the food hub in his area.

   iii.          Councillor Thornburrow thanked the volunteers and the manager of Cambridge sustainable food.  She also stated that while the Trumpington food hub had moved from two days per week open, to one day once the first lockdown ended, she has now seen an increase in contact to her again, at a higher level than previously.  European residents are finding it difficult where they have been furloughed and have no access to other funds, and so access to the food hub schemes are likely to remain essential until at least the spring of 2021.

   iv.          Councillor Ashton asked whether it was possible to be provided with figures specifically for the south area of the city, which councillors can provide to their residents. He also thanked the officer for the work they had been doing on this initiative.

    v.          In addition to others already discussed, Councillor McGerty gave thanks to Sam Davies, QECF, Queen Ediths churches and other volunteers within his ward, and Councillor Summerbell gave thanks to Philippa Slatter for acting as a link between food hubs and community organisations.

The Officer said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          Figures from the presentation specific to the south area could be supplied to members in future.

Action: Play Development Officer to send Committee (figures from presentation broken down to ward level (instead of cross-city).

     ii.          Agreed that although it is difficult to mention everyone involved, many individuals and organisations deserved thanks.