Issue - meetings

(a)       That the requirements of the Socio-economic Duty be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee is assured of the Council’s preparedness in meeting the new Duty.

The Strategic Policy Advisor and Benefits Manager introduced a report on the Council’s preparations for the commencement of the socio-economic duty.  This was a statutory requirement upon relevant public bodies to have due regard to the need to reduce inequalities of outcomes resulting from socio-economic disadvantage.

The Strategic Policy Advisor and Benefits Manager gave a joint presentation covering the following:

·         What is the Socio-economic Duty and what does it do?

·         Key terms

·         Inequalities of outcomes

·         Examples of poverty

·         Demonstrating due regard - audit trail

·         Meeting the duty - what we are doing

·         Better outcomes

·         Case study

The presentation highlighted the broader examples of poverty which linked to one of the priorities within the Council Plan.  The report was being shared with all Overview & Scrutiny Committees to raise awareness of the new obligations.  Amongst the actions, the inclusion of Integrated Impact Assessment outcomes on committee reports would help to demonstrate consideration of potential impacts of poverty in strategic decision-making.

            The Chair referred to the Education portfolio and the food poverty aspect with the provision of free school meals helping to address this.  In recent times digital poverty had been highlighted with remote and blended learning with the provision of devices to ensure these children were able to carry on learning.  He asked if there were other ways education and schools could assist with aspects of poverty.   In response the Strategic Policy Advisor said that when building new schools or planning new strategies, consideration should be given to the poverty aspect and the children and families affected.  Also ensuring all information was provided to enable families to obtain the support and benefits they were entitled to. 

            The Senior Manager added that poverty was high on the agenda for the Education portfolio with the Chief Officer leading on that work.  Schools were already looking at the needs of their learners and families and providing support.  She reported that digital inclusion was forming part of the Digital Strategy moving forward with the new theme of Learning and Culture to bring that forward.  The Education portfolio welcomed the framework to open the debate more widely to support the needs of learners and families.

            Councillor Cunningham thanked the officers for the presentation and commented that poverty had been exacerbated due to the pandemic.  He said that poverty affected a range of people and it was pleasing to hear that the Council was doing all it could to alleviate that.

The recommendations, as outlined within the report, were moved and seconded by Mrs Lynne Bartlett and Councillor Paul Cunningham.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the requirements of the Socio-economic Duty be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee is assured of the Council’s preparedness in meeting the new Duty.