Issue - meetings

The report was referred to the next meeting of Council in terms of Standing Order 34.1.

The Committee had before it a report prepared by the Locality Manager on Accessing Money Advice Services.

The Executive Director, Corporate Services introduced the report and responded to questions from Members.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the recommendations at 3.12 of the report to support the development of access to money advice services in Aberdeen.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Hutchison:-

that the Committee:

(1)          instruct the Executive Director – Corporate Services to bring a report to a future committee to consider with partners the provisions of other advisory services in the city; and

(2)          otherwise approve the recommendation.

Councillor Tissera, seconded by Councillor Watson, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee:

(1)          agree the recommendation contained within the report;

(2)          agree the SNP gives a whole new meaning to dither, delay and defer given the Committee instructed a report on 30th August 2023, with the report due no later than summer 2024, noting that there are no specific recommendations contained within the report on the actual issues faced by people in poverty in relation to accessing advice services and financial services and the impact this had; on the services available in Aberdeen; on the unmet need; and no specific recommendations for council services and other organisations to address this unmet need; and

(3)          instruct the Executive Director – Corporate Services to bring a report to the next committee detailing exactly what was asked for on 30 August 2023 in order to give confidence to those who may need help in this matter. 

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener, and Councillors Davidson, Henrickson, Hutchison and Mennie; for the amendment (4) – Councillors Brooks, Kusznir, Tissera and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

In terms of Standing Order 34.1, Councillor Kusznir intimated that he would like this matter to be referred to full Council. Councillor Kusznir was supported by Councillors Brooks, Tissera and Watson.

(i)             to note the progress made in delivering the Aberdeen City Integrated Children’s Services Strategic Plan and associated work to address child poverty from April 2023 to date;

(ii)            to note and comment on the changes evident in data sets released over the reporting period;

(iii)          to delegate authority to the Interim Executive Director - Families and Communities, to submit the Annual Report, which was inclusive of the Local Child Poverty Action Report (LCPAR), to Scottish Government; and

(iv)          to agree in future years that the Plan would be presented to the Anti Poverty and Inequality Committee for its input in advance of being presented to the Education and Children’s Services Committee for formal approval.

The Committee had before the Aberdeen City Integrated Children’s Services Strategic Plan Annual Report April 2023 – March 2024.  The Interim Executive Director – Families and Communities, introduced the report and responded to questions from members.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:

(a)          note the progress made in delivering the Aberdeen City Integrated Children’s Services Strategic Plan and associated work to address child poverty from April 2023 to date;

(b)          note and comment on the changes evident in data sets released over the reporting period; and

(c)          delegate authority to the Interim Executive Director - Families and Communities, to submit the Annual Report, which was inclusive of the Local Child Poverty Action Report (LCPAR), to Scottish Government.

The Vice Convener in the Chair moved, seconded by Councillor Radley:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations.

Councillor Tissera, seconded by Councillor Watson, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee:

(1)            note the progress made in delivering the Aberdeen City Integrated Children’s Services Strategic Plan and associated work to address child poverty from April 2023 to date; 

(2)            note the changes evident in data sets released over the reporting period to this committee excludes School violence and the causes of school violence in our Schools despite the recent EIS report which will be discussed at the next Education and Children’s Services Committee; and 

(3)            delegate authority to the Interim Executive Director  of Families and  Communities to submit the Annual Report (including a section on violence within our schools), which is inclusive of the Local Child Poverty Action Report (LCPAR), to the Scottish Government.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (7) – the Vice Convener in the Chair; and Councillors Allard, Brooks, Davidson, Hutchison, Kusznir and Radley; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Tissera and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to agree in future years that the Plan would be presented to the Anti Poverty and Inequality Committee for its input in advance of being presented to the Education and Children’s Services Committee for formal approval; and

(ii)          to otherwise adopt the motion.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note that the Director - Customer Services would begin dialogue with partners in respect of the provision of Warm Spaces and in particular the former staff canteen at the Town House; and

(ii)          to otherwise note the annual report of the Anti Poverty and Inequality Committee.

The Committee had before it annual report of the Anti Poverty and Inequality Committee.

The report recommended:

that the Committee:

(a)          provide comments and observations on the data contained within the annual report; and

(b)          note the annual report of the Anti Poverty and Inequality Committee.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Greig:- that the Committee approve the recommendations.

Councillor Tissera, seconded by Councillor Malik, moved as an amendment:- that the Committee:

(1)         agree that anti-poverty is already dealt with by Community Planning Aberdeen and that eradication of poverty involves many differing agencies all of which are part of Community Planning Aberdeen; and

(2)         agree to recommend to Council that the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee should be disbanded as part of the next review of the Scheme of Governance in 2024.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (7) – the Convener, and Councillors Clark, Davidson, Greig, Hutchison, Mennie and Radley; for the amendment (3) – Councillors Malik, Tissera and Watson; declined to vote (2) – Councillors Brooks and Kusznir.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note that the Director - Customer Services would begin dialogue with partners in respect of the provision of Warm Spaces and in particular the former staff canteen at the Town House; and

(ii)          to otherwise adopt the motion.

- COUNCILLOR CHRISTIAN ALLARD, Convener.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to approve the approach to deliver an assembly on poverty and gender inequality in Aberdeen; and

(ii)          to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to give authority to conduct a procurement exercise, where the estimated Contract Value was below £50,000 (supplies/ services).

In terms of Standing Order 34.1, this matter was referred to the Council for a final decision.

The Committee had before it a report by the Locality Inclusion Manager regarding detailed plans and costs for a Citizens’ Assembly - while noting that budget approval would require to be considered by the Finance and Resources Committee.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:

(a)          approve the approach to deliver an assembly on poverty and gender inequality in Aberdeen; and

(b)          instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to give authority to conduct a procurement exercise, where the estimated Contract Value is below £50,000 (supplies/ services).

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations.

Councillor Kusznir, seconded by Councillor Brooks, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee:

(1)          note progress on plans to facilitate Citizens’ Assemblies on Poverty and Inequality;

(2)          instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment in consultation with the Chief Officer – Finance, and Chief Officer - Customer Experience, to cease further work on Citizens’ Assemblies in light of the complexity, cost and risks regarding the effectiveness of Citizens’ Assemblies; and

(3)          requests that the Finance and Resources Committee reallocate any funds previously committed to Citizens Assemblies to increasing available crisis grants.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (7) – the Convener, Vice Convener and Councillors Clark, Davidson, Greig, Hutchison, and Mennie; for the amendment (6) – Councillors Blake, Bonsell, Brooks, Kusznir, Lawrence and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

In terms of Standing Order 34.1, Councillor Kusznir indicated that he wished to refer this matter to Council for a final decision and he was supported by Councillors Blake, Bonsell, Brooks, Lawrence and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note the Horizon Scanning factors identified at item 3.3 of the report;

(ii)            to note the output from the Anti-Poverty Workshop held on 30 May 2023 and approach taken by the working group; and

(iii)          to instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, to liaise with the Chief Officer Data and Insights and align the Committee business planner with key Community Planning Aberdeen deliverables.

The Committee had before it a report prepared by the Corporate Strategy and Community Planning Manager and Locality Inclusion Manager regarding the formation of a working group on anti-poverty and inequality issues in Aberdeen and actions identified to tackle these issues.

The report recommended:

that the Committee:

(a)     note the output from the Anti-Poverty Workshop held on 30 May 2023 and approach taken by the working group; and

(b)    instruct the Chief Officer Early - Intervention and Community Empowerment, to liaise with the Chief Officer - Data and Insights, and align the Committee business planner with key Community Planning Aberdeen deliverables.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note the Horizon Scanning factors identified at item 3.3 of the report;  and

(ii)            to otherwise approve the recommendations.

- COUNCILLOR CHRISTIAN ALLARD, Convener.</AI8>

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The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to instruct the Director – Customer Services to report to Committee on 21 June 2023 in respect of the energy price guarantee and any associated future initiatives;

(ii)            to instruct the Revenues and Benefit Manager to undertake additional promotion of the Energy Support Scheme and to provide a Service Update on the actions taken in this regard and the uptake of the scheme; and

(iii)          to note the update on food security and fuel poverty, and that funded programmes are reported through the report Supporting People through the Cost of Living.

The Committee had before it a report by the Locality Inclusion Manager regarding ongoing initiatives in relation to food security and fuel poverty and on funded programmes.

The report recommended:

that the Committee note the update on food security and fuel poverty, and that funded programmes were reported through the report on Supporting People through the Cost of Living Crisis.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to instruct the Director – Customer Services to report to Committee on 21 June 2023 in respect of the energy price guarantee and any associated future initiatives;

(ii)            to instruct the Revenues and Benefit Manager to undertake additional promotion of the Energy Support Scheme and to provide a Service Update on the actions taken in this regard and the uptake of the scheme; and

(iii)          to otherwise note the information provided.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, to circulate the report to the Operation Delivery Committee on 17 September 2019 Child Poverty (CUS/19/375) referred to at 3.2 of the report; and

(ii)            to note the approach to the development of an anti-poverty strategy.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, outlining the approach to the development of an anti-poverty strategy.

The report recommended:

that the Committee note the approach to the development of an anti-poverty strategy.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to circulate the report to the Operational Delivery Committee on 17 September 2019 Child Poverty (CUS/19/375) referred to at 3.2 of the report; and

(ii)            to otherwise approve the recommendation.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the report.

The Committee had before it a report from the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, that provided an update on the work agreed through the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Department of Work and Pensions.

The report recommended:

that the Committee note the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.