Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 April, 2018 were agreed and signed as a true record.

Reference was made to checking on lighting arrangements in the City Centre, particularly around the Skydome, as discussed at the meeting on 12^th March 2018 and reassurance was sought that this had been investigated.

Members requested information as to whether the Homelessness Forum had progressed as discussed at the meeting on 24^th January 2018

Briefing note and presentation of the Director of Public Health

Councillors Seaman and Skipper, Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and Councillors Caan and Ali, Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item 

The Scrutiny Board considered a Briefing Note, presentation and background information on Child Poverty which was introduced by Cllr Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport and Liz Gaulton, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing. Cllrs Duggins, Seaman and Skipper were also present for the item.

The information provided highlighted that Poverty is a significant issue for the City. The implications of poverty are considerable and have a huge impact on the life chances of young people. In-work poverty is now a big issue too, as although employment is rising in the City, our gross disposal income is lower in Coventry than the national average.

The presentation highlighted that there are a number of key strategies the Council is using to tackle poverty, including the Marmot Strategy, Council Plan, Health & Wellbeing Strategy, Economic Growth and Prosperity Strategy, the Parenting Strategy and the Coventry Children and Young People Plan 2016. These documents will be used to address the various drivers of child poverty, which include long-term worklessness and low earnings, family instability, family size, housing, debt and educational attainment.

Members raised a number of issues following the presentation and responses were provided, matters raised included;

-  The definition of child poverty and associated calculations

-  Whether we should focus on poverty, as it effects families and individuals too, rather than just child poverty

-  That there are some positive trends – that fewer children are in workless households and that disposable income is increasing

-  The reasons why the rate of growth of disposable income is slower than in other areas

-  That the Marmot Strategy is due to be refreshed next year and will likely focus on good growth for the City and building the resilience and aspirations of young people

-  The opportunities being the City of Sport 2019, as well as the Year of Wellbeing will bring for reducing poverty

-  The impact of Zero Hour contracts and opportunities to introduce rent caps

-  Whether the City Council or their sub-contractors use Zero hours contracts

-  What can be done to stop the revolving door of poverty

-  The need to strengthen a woman’s position financially to address child poverty

-  The challenge of making sure work pays and people are growing their disposable incomes

-  The need to have measureable objectives around the reduction of poverty - there are rigorous performance measures on this through Marmot and that these can be brought to a future meeting.

-  The importance of focussing on mental health and resilience to reduce poverty

-  Whether enough focus is given to priority neighbourhoods to address the differences in levels of poverty across the City

-  The opportunities for Family Hubs to play a role in this agenda

Members of the Committee were asked whether they supported using the 5 themes from the Birmingham Commission, of health, housing, in-work poverty, economy & worklessness and Education and lifelong learning to further develop this work. Members agreed to this approach.

Members were also asked to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Committee considered their Work Programme for the new municipal year, which included information on the remit of the Board.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be noted.

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of urgent public business