Issue - meetings

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to circulate the data published by the Community Planning Partnership with regard to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD);

(ii)            to note the demographic information contained in the report;

(iii)          to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to undertake further work with the External advisers and working group on poverty demographics in Aberdeen and report back to the Committee in September 2023;

(iv)          to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to undertake further research into rates of poverty and ‘in work’ poverty in the rented and social housing sectors in Aberdeen and report back to the Committee at a future date;

(v)           to instruct the Chief Officer – Customer Experience following consultation with the Chief Officer – Data and Insights, to review how the Council records demographic information of residents, and report back to a future Committee with suggestions on how this data could be more effectively used to target key demographics with a higher risk of experiencing poverty;

(vi)          to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to report back to the Committee on poverty demographics once the most recent census data was available;

(vii)         to instruct the Chief Officer – Data and Insights to undertake a further survey through City Voice on poverty rates in Aberdeen and report back to a future Committee; and

(viii)       to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to include in the next six monthly Child Poverty Action Plan report analysis of work being done to support specific demographics outwith the six identified child poverty family groups.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, regarding demographic information on child poverty, in-work poverty and other forms of poverty in the city.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:

(a)           note the demographic information contained in the report;

(b)           instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to undertake further work with the External Advisers and working group on poverty demographics in Aberdeen and report back to the Committee in September 2023;

(c)           instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to undertake further research into rates of poverty and ‘in work’ poverty in the rented and social housing sectors in Aberdeen and report back to the Committee at a future date;

(d)           instruct the Chief Officer – Customer Experience following consultation with the Chief Officer – Data and Insights, to review how the Council records demographic information of residents, and report back to a future Committee with suggestions on how this data could be more effectively used to target key demographics with a higher risk of experiencing poverty;

(e)           instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to report back to the Committee on poverty demographics once the most recent census data was available;

(f)             instruct the Chief Officer – Data and Insights to undertake a further survey through City Voice on poverty rates in Aberdeen and report back to a future Committee; and

(g)           instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to include in the next six monthly Child Poverty Action Plan report analysis of work being done to support specific demographics outwith the six identified child poverty family groups.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)                to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, to circulate the data published by the Community Planning Partnership with regard to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD); and

(ii)               to otherwise approve the recommendations.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note the ongoing initiatives in relation to stigma and discrimination for those experiencing poverty; health and wellbeing of those experiencing poverty, and credit unions and fair and affordable banking and advice services;

(ii)            to note the content of the Poverty Alliance and Scottish Women’s Budget Group on Women’s Experiences of the Cost-of-Living Crisis report issued in November 2022; and

(iii)          to instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, to further promote the Scottish Welfare Fund and financial wellbeing support through social media to increase awareness.

The Committee had before it a report from Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, that provided an update on (1) ongoing initiatives in relation to stigma and discrimination for those experiencing poverty; (2) health and wellbeing of those experiencing poverty, (3) credit unions and fair and affordable banking and advice services; and (4) a report issued by the Poverty Alliance and Scottish Women’s Budget Group on Women’s Experiences of the Cost-of-Living Crisis.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:

(a)           note the ongoing initiatives in relation to stigma and discrimination for those experiencing poverty; health and wellbeing of those experiencing poverty, and credit unions and fair and affordable banking and advice services;

(b)           note the content of the Poverty Alliance and Scottish Women’s Budget Group on Women’s Experiences of the Cost-of-Living Crisis report issued in November 2022; and

(c)           instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, to further promote the Scottish Welfare Fund and financial wellbeing support through social media to increase awareness.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Greig:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations.

Councillor Watson, seconded by Councillor Bonsell, moved an amendment:-

that the Committee:-

(1)           note the ongoing initiatives in relation to stigma and discrimination for those experiencing poverty; health and wellbeing of those experiencing poverty, and credit unions and fair and affordable banking and advice services;

(2)           note the content of the Poverty Alliance and Scottish Women’s Budget Group on Women’s Experiences of the Cost-of-Living Crisis report issued in November 2022;

(3)           instruct the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment, to further promote the Scottish Welfare Fund and financial wellbeing support through social media to increase awareness;

(4)           further agree to do more to maximise take up of the Scottish Welfare Fund, including briefing and circulating information to trade unions, credit unions, food banks and other community organisations; and

(5)           agree that urgent concrete action is required in addition to long term plans, including serious considerations to a freezing council house rents for a further year and agrees to refer this proposal to the budget process. 

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (10) – the Convener, and Councillors Brooks, Clark, Davidson, Delaney, Greig, Houghton, Hutchison, Farquhar and Mennie; for the amendment (3) – Councillors Bonsell, Graham and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.