Issue - meetings

The purpose of the report is to note previous success of the project and seek approval to continue addressing the holiday hunger agenda through the Summer Food & Fun Project.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Housing is asked

              i.        To note previous project success and recognise holiday hunger as a priority agenda in addressing health inequalities in areas of deprivation.

            ii.        To agree an allocation of £4000 from the youth & play service budget to allow continuation and longevity of the project (volunteers, donations, and other funding will still be sourced where possible)..

The Cabinet Member for Housing:

              i.        Noted the previous project success and recognise holiday hunger as a priority agenda in addressing health inequalities in areas of deprivation.

            ii.        Agreed an allocation of £4000 from the youth & play service budget to allow continuation and longevity of the project (volunteers, donations, and other funding will still be sourced where possible).

(Councillor Jennie Brent agreed to the officers' request to vary the order of business.)

Jo Bennett, Commercial Property and Leasehold Services Manager, introduced Holly Easlick and Marshada Chowdhury, the authors of the appended Housing Hunger report 'Sumer Food and Fun Project in Portsmouth', who had worked hard to deliver this project. Holly explained the aims of the pilot project to tackle higher deprivation rates in health problems experienced in parts of Portsmouth, seeking to improve family nutrition levels and giving access to breakfast clubs, with the contributions from Warburtons and support of local supermarkets acting as hubs for food collection.  The breakfast clubs had also encouraged development of social skills for the participants. Marshada then went through the evaluation of the project (section 4) and the research in collaboration with Northumbria University which had looked at the benefits to emotional welfare, socialising and increased physical activity. Work was also taking place with local schools and the Tackling Poverty Co-ordinator, and the Council's own staff restaurant the View was sharing surplus food.  Cookery sessions and workshops were taking place, further donations were sought and more training and apprenticeships were being planned to ensure sustainability of the scheme.

Councillor Tom Wood joined Councillor Brent in supporting the scheme and its extension due to the positive results in the communities, and Maria Cole spoke of the appreciation of the children receiving this food. Councillor Jennie Brent as Cabinet Member for Housing congratulated those staff involved in this beneficial project.

DECISIONS - The Cabinet Member for Housing:

              i.        Noted the previous project success and recognise holiday hunger as a priority agenda in addressing health inequalities in areas of deprivation.

            ii.        Agreed an allocation of £4000 from the youth & play service budget to allow continuation and longevity of the project (volunteers, donations, and other funding will still be sourced where possible).