Decision details

Update on Thriving: The Child Poverty Strategy for Leeds

Reference: D54578

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

Further to Minute No. 26, 23 June 2021, the Director of Children and Families submitted a report which provided a further update on the ‘Thriving: The Child Poverty Strategy for Leeds’ and the work which continued to be undertaken as part of the strategy, including actions in response to issues arising from the pandemic. Specifically, the report provided an update on each of the strategy’s workstreams in terms of recent activities, outcomes and next steps.

 

In presenting the report, the Executive Member provided an update regarding the current position with regard to child poverty in Leeds, together with further details on actions being undertaken as part of each of the workstreams within the strategy.

 

Responding to a question regarding the application of the Household Support Grant, the Board was advised that a proportion of the funding would be used for the provision of free school meals during holiday periods, which would apply across the city. Parallel to that, it was noted that there was a range of criteria which would need to be adhered to when allocating the funding in other areas. It was noted that such criteria was being worked through and that further details would be provided to Members in the near future.

 

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was provided with further information on the actions being taken to mitigate against the impact of child poverty linked with housing provision and the quality of accommodation. 

 

In discussing the report and in welcoming the data within it, a suggestion was made that in future the update report further reflected upon and evaluated the services being provided in this area to demonstrate the impact being made. Also, in highlighting the crucial role played by Children’s Centres across Leeds, it was undertaken that future reports would reference the work of the Children’s Centres moving forward.

 

Members discussed the definition of poverty, as detailed within the report.

 

Reference was made to the recent Children’s Services Ofsted Inspection which had been undertaken, with a brief update being provided on the actions being taken in response to the inspection’s recommendations.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the strategic framework in place to mitigate against the impact of child poverty, together with the work being undertaken by the Council and other partners in the key areas of activity, as detailed within the submitted report, be endorsed;

 

(b)  That the need to promote the work of the ‘Thriving’ strategy across the city and in particular in each respective Member’s portfolio in order to highlight the impact of poverty on children and their families, be acknowledged;

 

(c)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for such matters is the Head of Workforce Development and Change.

Publication date: 25/10/2021

Date of decision: 20/10/2021

Decided at meeting: 20/10/2021 - Executive Board

Effective from: 30/10/2021

Accompanying Documents: