Issue - meetings

(i)            to instruct the Chief Officer - Data Insights to provide additional information by way of a Service Update in respect of (1) changes in local demographic data with regard to those subject to No Recourse to Public Funds and (2) the 2023/24 CoSLA return on the extent of Aberdeen City Council’s support to those with No Recourse to Public Funds; and

(ii)          to note the current situation with respect to the condition of No Recourse To Public Funds, including:

·         the challenges faced by individuals subject to a NRPF condition;

·         the support currently provided by the Council directly and through the Fairer Aberdeen Fund, as well as by the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership services; and

·         further actions underway (para 3.14)

(i)            to approve the areas for improvement identified in section 3.39 of the report;

(ii)          to approve the initiation of an improvement project to test changes that will achieve an increase in awareness of services provided and address identified gaps; and

(iii)         to instruct the Chief Officer– People & Citizen Service to report back to the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee in Q1 of 2025 on the findings of the survey and an update of the improvement actions.

The Committee had before it a report prepared by the  Financial Inclusion Team Leader presenting work undertaken to determine issues faced by people in poverty in relation to accessing advice services and financial services.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:

(a)          approve the areas for improvement identified in section 3.39 of the report;

(b)          approve the initiation of an improvement project to test changes that will achieve an increase in awareness of services provided and address identified gaps; and

(c)          instruct the Chief Officer – People & Citizen Services to report back to the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee in Q1 of 2025 on the findings of the survey and an update of the improvement actions.

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations.

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

(1)          note the contents of the report;

(2)          note the Executive Director has brought a report to the Committee detailing what was asked for on 30 August 2023 despite the SNP voting against the Labour amendment at the last committee meeting as per the approved minutes;

(3)          note that the report does not specifically address the huge issues of in work poverty, and the benefits that fair work can bring to those facing poverty; and

(4)          agree to instruct the Chief Officer – People & Citizen Services to engage with local trade unions across a range of sectors to identify the support that they can offer those facing poverty pay in conjunction with the Council and other partners.

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

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

(i)            to note the LOIP presented at Appendix 1 of the report; and

(ii)          to note the LOIP in conjunction with the Locality Plans at agenda Item 9.3 which connected the LOIP to community priorities and assets.

The Committee had before it the Refreshed Local Outcome Improvement Plan for 2016-2026 prepared by the Corporate Strategy and Community Planning Manager, which had been approved by the Community Planning Aberdeen (CPA) Board on 29  April 2024.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:

(a)          consider the LOIP presented at Appendix 1; and

(b)          consider the LOIP in conjunction with the Locality Plans at Item 9.3 which connects the LOIP to community priorities and assets.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Mennie:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations.

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

(1)          agree the recommendations contained within the report;

(2)          agree that the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee hinders not enhances the Local Outcome Improvement Plan and recommend to Council that the Committee should cease to exist; and 

(3)          request the Executive Director - Corporate Services to present an annual report to the Communities Housing and Public Protection Committeeon progress being made on the Anti-Poverty and Inequality aspects of the Local Outcome Improvement Plan prior to consideration by Council of the annual report on the LOIP.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener, and Councillors Davidson, Henrickson,  Hutchison and Mennie; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Tissera and Watson; declined to vote (2) – Councillors Brooks and Kusznir.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

(i)            to note the report; and

(ii)          to instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to liaise with the Department of Work and Pensions and update the Memorandum of Understanding in line with current priorities and submit it back to Committee for approval.

The Committee had before it an update prepared by the Locality Inclusion Manager on work agreed through the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Department of Work and Pensions on preventing homelessness.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:

(a)          note the report; and

(b)          instruct the Chief Officer - Housing to liaise with the Department of Work and Pensions and update the Memorandum of Understanding in line with current priorities and submit it back to Committee for approval.

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)          agree the recommendations contained within the report;

(2)          note Appendix 1 and the progress against each aspect of the MOU;

(3)          note despite the fine words agreed by ACC and the Department for Work and Pensions, homelessness is up, Child poverty is up, Drug deaths are up, Fuel poverty is up, Food poverty is up, in work poverty is up, and the common denominator in all of these deplorable facts is the unwillingness of the Scottish government to support local authorities and other agencies with proper financial support. Agree we can have all the agreements we like with the Department of Work and Pensions and other government agencies but until the SNP Scottish government get serious about tackling homelessness, drug deaths and all forms of poverty, the benefits to those most in need from the MOU will be miniscule.

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

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note that Councillor Yuill advised that he had a connection in relation to the item as he was a Board Member of NHS Grampian however, having applied the objective test he did not consider that his connection amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the discussion on the item;

(ii)          to note the Population Needs Assessment 2023 as contained at appendix 1; and

(iii)         to note from the report that, while all households in Scotland will be affected by increases in the cost of living, a report by the Scottish Government suggests that it is those with lower incomes and little or no savings who will be most impacted as they spend a higher proportion than average on energy, food and transport and they therefore have less flexibility in their budget to cope with price rises. Therefore, agrees a Council Tax freeze can only be supported if it is fully funded by the Scottish Government.

The Committee had before it a report presenting the 2023 Population Needs Assessment for Aberdeen City.

At this juncture, Councillor Yuill made a transparency statement by virtue of his position as an NHS Grampian Board Member, however, having applied the objective test he did not consider that his connection amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the discussion on the item.

The Corporate Strategy and Community Planning Manager introduced the report and responded to questions from Members.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the Population Needs Assessment 2023 as contained at Appendix 1 of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note from the report that, while all households in Scotland will be affected by increases in the cost of living, a report by the Scottish Government suggests that it is those with lower incomes and little or no savings who will be most impacted as they spend a higher proportion than average on energy, food and transport and they therefore have less flexibility in their budget to cope with price rises. Therefore, to agree that a Council Tax freeze can only be supported if it is fully funded by the Scottish Government; and

(ii)          to otherwise note the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note that a longer version of the video presentation would be circulated to members;

(ii)          to instruct the Locality Manager to issue a Service Update in respect of the Infant Food Security Pilot Improvement Project;

(iii)         to convey the Committee’s thanks to Professor Douglas for the presentation; and

(iv)         to otherwise note the content of the video presentation.

The Committee received a video presentation from Professor Flora Douglas -Research Professor of Public Health at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice at the Robert Gordon University.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note that a longer version of the video presentation would be circulated to members;

(ii)          to instruct the Locality Manager to issue a Service Update in respect of the Infant Food Security Pilot Improvement Project;

(iii)         to thank Professor Douglas for the presentation; and

(iv)         to otherwise note the content of the video presentation.