To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting evidence in line with Session 1 of the Board’s Inquiry into Combating Child Poverty and Raising Aspirations.
Minutes:
The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which introduced the evidence to be considered as part of the first formal session of the Board’s Inquiry into Combating Child Poverty and Raising Aspirations.
The following information was appended to the report for Members’ information:
- A copy of the agreed terms of reference for the inquiry
- background information in relation to combating child poverty and raising aspirations
- briefing paper on the key implications of the Child Poverty Act
- pyramid of factors that impact upon child poverty
- detailed summary of the findings of the review entitled ‘The Foundation Years: preventing poor children becoming poor adults’
- common risk factors for children, young people and families at risk of poor outcomes
- draft Leeds’ child poverty needs assessment.
The Chair welcomed to the meeting the following Executive Members and officers to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments:
- Councillor Blake, Executive Member (Children’s Services)
- Councillor Dowson, Executive Member (Learning)
- Sally Threlfall, Chief Officer – Early Years and Integrated Youth Support Services, Children’s Services
- Jane Hopkins, Service Manager – Jobs and Skills Service, Environment and Neighbourhoods
- Diana Towler, External Relations Manager, Jobcentre Plus
- Liz Bailey, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager, Adult Social Care
- Rob McCartney, Housing Strategy and Commissioning Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods
- Dave Roberts, Senior Policy and Information Officer, City Development.
The Scrutiny Board was provided with a PowerPoint presentation which provided background and contextual information around child poverty, including the significant responsibilities placed on local authorities.
The remainder of the presentation focused on four specific building blocks, as follows:
Education, Health and Family
Employment and Adult Skills
Housing and Neighbourhoods
Financial Support for Families
The Scrutiny Board discussed next steps, particularly in terms of developing work in localities, support for families and the role of Area Committees.
The Chair thanked the officers for their attendance and contribution to the Board’s inquiry.
RESOLVED – That the issues raised at the first session of the Inquiry, be noted.
(Councillor W Hyde declared a personal interest in this item as Governor at West Leeds Academy.)
(Councillor James Lewis left the meeting at 11.50 am, Councillor Gettings at 11.55 am, Councillors Coulson and Lamb at 12.12 pm and Ms Cox at 12.25 pm, during the consideration of this item.)
Supporting documents: