Agenda and draft minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 12 February 2025.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Select Committee received an action plan in respect of Recommendation 17:

Review cost of living responses to diminish impact

Review Cost of Living responses to diminish its impact, with specific reference to period poverty, food poverty and school uniform:

·         Work with Child Poverty Network.

·         Work with schools to better promote/communicate Cost of Living interventions.

·         Encourage all schools to ‘Poverty Proof the School Day’

The lead officer for implementing the recommendation attended the meeting and presented an action plan setting out planned actions and progress to date on a range of initiatives supporting delivery of the objective.

The launch of the Family Support Fund was highlighted which provided a family support service offering new funding to help children access everyday opportunities.

AGREED that the action plan be approved.

To consider the draft final report.

The Select Committee reviewed the draft final report following its scrutiny of Holidays are Fun. The final report was scheduled to report to Cabinet in May.

The overall aim of the project had been to understand if HAF was inclusive of and attended by those families who most need it and the impact of the programme on family health and social and economic wellbeing.

The relevant Cabinet Member and Corporate Director were in attendance and provided positive feedback on the review outcomes.

Members highlighted some issues regarding communication with town and parish councils and the Select Committee agreed to add an additional recommendation to review and strengthen communications with them.

AGREED that, subject to the inclusion of the additional recommendation set out above, the final report be approved for submission to Cabinet.

AGREED that the work programme be noted.