Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Convener welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the two new External Advisers, Kerry Gavin and Marjorie Johnston, whose appointments had been agreed by the Council on 3 July 2024.

There was no urgent business.

There was no exempt business.

Members were requested to intimate any Declarations of Interest or Transparency Statements in respect of the items on the agenda.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)           to note that Councillor Kusznir advised that he had connections in relation to agenda item 9.2 (Accessing Money Advice and Advisory Services) as he was (1) a Board Member of Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau; (2) a current employee of Burnett and Reid Solicitors and with regard to Taggart Meil and Mathers Solicitors which had been assumed as part of Burnett and Reid; and (3) a financial guardian for four individuals however, having applied the objective test he did not consider that his connections amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the discussion on the item;

(ii)          to note that Councillor Brooks advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 9.2 as he had family working for Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau and adjacent organisations 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 items;

(iii)         to note that Councillor Watson advised that he had a connection in relation to the agenda as he was on the Executive of Aberdeen Trades Union Council 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 any item; and

(iv)         to note that Professor Bone advised that he had a connection in relation to agenda item 9.1 (Working in Partnership for Aberdeen – Supporting People with the Cost of Living: Round Two of Funding Allocations) as he was a Board Member or CFINE 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 Committee had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 12 June 2024.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Committee had before it the planner of committee business, as prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the Planner.

The Committee had before it a report seeking approval for the allocation of the remaining funds from the £1million provided by the Council to support people with the cost of living.  The Corporate Strategy and Community Planning Manager introduced the report.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:

(a)          note that the Council, on 3 July 2024 (1) approved the allocation of funds agreed by the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee on 12 June 2024; and (2) agreed that the remaining funding balance be allocated by the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee without the need for further approval from the Finance and Resources Committee or Council; and

(b)          approve the proposed allocation of remaining funds from the £1million provided by Council to support people with the cost of living crisis during 2024/25 as described in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener, moved:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations.

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

that the Committee:

(1)         note that 'outcome reports' from each funded organisation are required as part of the funding agreements to demonstrate best value for taxpayers;

(2)         note that an update on outcomes will be provided as part of the report scheduled for the next Committee meeting and instruct the Executive Director – Corporate Services to provide a full evaluation report to Committee in June 2025 which will include details of (a) a breakdown of how taxpayers’ money has been spent by each organisation, (b) the ultimate spend on staffing and (c) the considered impact of the spend on reducing poverty;

(3)         decline to allocate additional funds to (a) CFINE/Food Poverty Action Aberdeen and (b) SCARF (SC094819) until Committee considers their outcome reports, especially given funding was only approved by Council on 3 July 2024 and no assessment of the spend to date has been provided in the report;

(4)         note reported increase in staffing costs from 2022 to 2023 for both Community Food Initiatives North East Limited (SC262156) and SCARF within their Companies House filings; and

(5)         approve:

5.1 £100,000 for funded work experience placements for long term unemployed individuals, the employing organisations to receive such funding to be determined by the Executive Director - Corporate Services, given the positive impact of supporting return to work and its impact on reducing poverty and improving social mobility; and

5.2 the proposed allocations at 3.7, excluding those relating to (a) CFINE/Food Poverty Action Aberdeen and (b) SCARF.

Councillor Tissera, seconded by Councillor Watson, moved as a further amendment:-

that the Committee:

(1)          note the contents of the report;

(2)          note that the committee has not been provided with a detailed rationale for how the funds should be allocated between different areas of need, or how the specific organisations receiving funds have been identified. Little information has been provided about expectations around monitoring the spending of these funds;

(3)          note that each funded organisation must complete a monitoring report detailing how intended deliverables have been met and instruct the Executive Director  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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.

The Convener paid tribute to Maggie Hepburn of ACVO who had been one of the External Advisers since the Committee started in October 2022.  He advised that ACVO would be stepping back as an External Advisor to the Committee after today's meeting. The Convener stated that Maggie had brought a wealth of experience as one of the experts representing the charitable sector in the city.  He thanked her and ACVO for their valued advice and support and wished them well.  Furthermore, the Convener advised that expressions of interest for a replacement would be reported to Members in due course.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the Convener’s remarks.

All Members are invited to attend a visit to Cairncry Community Centre , Cornhill Shopping Centre, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen AB16 5HL - immediately following the Committee Business.  The visit will take place from 12.30 – 3pm.

Cairncry Community Centre (cairncry-community-centre.co.uk)

The Committee resolved:-

to note that Members were invited to attend a visit to Cairncry Community Centre from 12.30-3.00pm.

- COUNCILLOR CHRISTIAN ALLARD, Convener.