Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To consider a notice of motion in relation to the Belfast Youth Forum Report on Poverty which, in accordance with standing orders, was referred to the Committee by the Council at its meeting on 1st June.

1.2       This report also contains context information on the Belfast Agenda, which has a focus on inclusive growth and reducing poverty in the city.  It is proposed that Members may wish to consider establishing a Member-led programme to explicitly address the issue of inclusive supported by specifically commissioned evidence to support the development of new policy and strategic approaches to addressing the issue on a city-wide and local basis.  This would form part of the implementation plan for the Belfast Agenda moving forward.  If the Committee agrees a more detailed report will be brought back to a future meeting.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Consider the notice of motion and to take such action thereon as may be determined.  

·        Consider establishing a member led programme to focus on the objective of inclusive growth and addressing poverty, supported by commissioned evidence to inform the development of new policy and strategic approaches to addressing the issue on a city-wide and local basis.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       At the meeting of the Council on 1st June, the following notice of motion, which was proposed by Councillor Nicholl and seconded by Councillor Campbell, was, in accordance with Standing Order 13(f), referred to the Committee for consideration:

            “This Council welcomes the publication of the Belfast Youth Forum's research report ‘Poverty: It's not a Choice -Young People's Views of Poverty in Belfast’, notes the recommendations of the report, commits to dispelling myths and stereotypes about poverty and pledges to do everything in our power to eradicate poverty in our City”.

3.2       As Members are aware the Belfast Agenda contains a commitment to promoting inclusive growth in the city which includes reducing levels of economic inequality and poverty.  The draft document states:

3.3       “For Belfast to work we need as many people as possible to contribute to, and benefit from, its success.

            This is why the Belfast Agenda is not just about economic growth but about all the things that make the benefits of growth as inclusive and widespread as possible. We need to address interlocking issues of poverty, economic inactivity, unemployment and underemployment. In particular we need to create jobs and make sure that those most in need of work can get those jobs.

            Inclusive economic growth is about more and better jobs; improving living standards and earnings; offering in-work progression and challenging barriers to employment. As it is about improving life chances, it is something that no one organisation or sector can deliver alone; we must do it together.

            Our priorities for the next four years include making sure that people have the best life chances and best living experience no matter where they are born or live in Belfast.”

3.4       There is the opportunity now, as we move forward to implement the Belfast Agenda to build on research such as that carried out by the Belfast Youth Forum, the RSA Inclusive Growth Commission, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and others to develop an agreed narrative on what inclusive growth means for Belfast, develop the right evidence-base within which to drive effective policy, design intervention and monitor progress and work with partners to bring together an integrated programme of work.  This would build upon the work that has taken place around these issues and draw together in a more strategic and impactful way the various interventions Members have already agreed to address these issues in the city, including the employability pipe-line model, maximizing the social value of procurement and city and neighbourhood investment programmes as well as the work the council does to mitigate the impact of poverty, for example for older people and those in fuel poverty.

3.5       To support this work it is proposed that we commission a specific piece of evidence to support the development of new policy and strategic approaches to addressing the issue of inclusive growth and reducing poverty on a city-wide and local basis.  This would form part of the implementation plan for the Belfast Agenda moving forward and bring together the various strands of evidence that already exist to ensure maximum impact.  The Belfast Agenda includes a commitment to develop an inclusive growth monitor and this would assist with that process.

3.6       Financial & Resource Implications

            The budget for this work has been included within the revenue estimates for 2017/18.

3.7       Equality or Good Relations Implications

            None.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations and agreed also to set up a Poverty Forum consisting of Elected Members, NGOs in the city already dealing with poverty, statutory agencies and a member of the Youth Forum.