Agenda item

This paper outlines the existing commitment of the HWB, recommends the adoption of this commitment by the ICP and outlines the support offer from Good Company and those with lived experience to HWB/ICP members’ organisations to sign the End Poverty Pledge for a poverty-free Surrey and take action. It also outlines how progress will be monitored and how activity will inform a Surrey system approach to poverty in the future.

Agenda item for: HWB, and Surrey Heartlands ICP

Agenda item for: HWB, and Surrey Heartlands ICP

Speakers:

Mark Nuti, Cabinet Member - Health and Wellbeing, and Public Health, SCC

Ruth Hutchinson, Director of Public Health, SCC

Jonathan Lees, Managing Director, Good Company

Key points raised in the discussion:

1.    The Cabinet Member - Health and Wellbeing, and Public Health (SCC) noted that winter highlighted the need for support in Surrey’s communities, some people would struggle more than others. Poverty was a year-round problem, the HWB signed the Pledge in July, the HWB and ICP were asked to formally adopt the recommendations to support the Pledge, to be taken to October’s Council meeting and hoped it would filter through the boroughs and districts into Surrey’s communities. Mitigating that would raise people’s standard of living.

2.    The Director of Public Health (SCC) highlighted the examples of how the Index was being used to monitor poverty. Noted the following three key areas of how all could collectively enact the Pledge and start to reduce the levels of poverty. Leadership: the HWB and ICP targets the Priority Populations and Key Neighbourhoods. The upcoming economy JSNA chapter demonstrated the disparity in social economic status across Surrey, the system wrote to the Government around extending the Household Support Fund. Culture: continually engaging those with lived experience of poverty. Accountability: continuing to explore funding sources and sharing good practice and monitoring the progress. Strategic groups had been briefed and system awareness was increasing building key those themes into the ways of working.

3.    The Managing Director (Good Company) noted that the food bank started twelve years ago and had grown, several projects developed around supporting people in poverty to develop their emotional, physical and financial resilience so they do not need to rely on the Good Company. The Pledge started around eighteen months ago, it was an aspiration which built into a movement. Noted the Pantry project, where people went to get food but also for companionship and Advice Cafés followed, bringing people together. Highlighted the resources available, signing the Pledge was the first step in collectively making a difference. Invited all to attend the second Poverty Truth Commission celebration event on 27 November, which brought people in poverty together with system leaders exploring why someone ended up in that situation.

4.    A video was shared on the Pledge, it presented case studies of people in poverty and how they rebuilt their lives, not having to rely on food banks and services. The video encouraged partners to think about the culture of their organisation, how they interact with those struggling and requiring support, using CLEAR: Communication, Listening, Empathy, Agency, Respect.

5.    A HWB and ICP member asked whether there was a possibility that the Good Company could expand to operate in the west of Surrey. The Managing Director (Good Company) noted that there were no immediate plans for expansion, the Good Company worked with the other eight Trussell Trust food banks, the nine food banks in total covered over 60% of Surrey. He noted that the HWB and ICP member could email the Good Company on the matter.

6.    A HWB and ICP member highlighted the Surrey Living Wage initiative and challenges of Surrey being close to London with expensive housing, access to stable accommodation was a key indicator in lots of wellbeing issues, asked whether the housing strategies in Surrey could be reviewed. A HWB and ICP member highlighted the Housing, Accommodation and Homes Strategy for Surrey, which acknowledged the housing crisis in Surrey, the strategy was discussed at housing related forums nationally. The strategy focused on housing for Surrey’s most vulnerable residents, there were regular discussions on housing and the next steps needed to be reinforced.

7.    The Chair noted the work by Julienne Meyer CBE commissioned by the previous government concerning extra care facilities for the elderly - which Surrey contributed to - the boroughs and districts are the housing authority and the Council provided specialist housing. There was an extensive programme of building extra care facilities and specialist housing in the county. Would wait and see the direction of travel by the new government concerning the National Planning Policy Framework. Housing was the biggest issue in terms of recruitment and retention of skilled people into the county.

8.    A HWB and ICP member queried whether housing could be added to the HWB and ICP’s forward plan about how the county, Council and boroughs and districts, come together with partners to look at the outcomes of the strategy and make the required changes. Noted the inability to discharge people who were fit, from a mental health institution because of inadequate housing was a key problem for the individual and those unwell waiting for a bed.

9.    A HWB and ICP member reflected on her personal responsibility around poverty and what she could do as a GP. She noted that the Self-assessment for organisations/businesses was a great tool to ask the right questions, to consider how service users are supported. The Managing Director (Good Company) noted that he would be happy to present the item to her organisation. 

10.  A HWB and ICP member stressed that housing was the biggest challenge for districts and boroughs, it would push well-run, fiscally prudent councils into bankruptcy. Noted that the District Councils’ Network was taking a blueprint to the Local Government Association Conference in October to articulate what the ask is of the Government and the solutions needed.

11.  A HWB and ICP member noted that the item could be added to the agenda for the Chief Executives Group as necessary.

12.  The Chair noted that issues around housing would be followed up. Support from the Government was needed on housing as well as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and Home to School Transport - two huge budgetary pressures.

RESOLVED:

The HWB and Surrey Heartlands ICP formally approved the following July informal HWB recommendations:

1.    Recognised the impact on our communities and services of taking no action to mitigate or prevent poverty in Surrey and the need to be community-led.

2.    Would lead from the front, adopt the suggested leadership, culture and accountability actions (see Appendix 1) and monitor progress.

3.    Supported members’ organisations/networks to consider signing and enacting the pledge.

The HWB and Surrey Heartlands ICP also:

4.    As individual HWB and ICP members representing single organisations, would advocate for the signing of the pledge within their organisations and enacting it, using the resources and support provided.

5.    As HWB and ICP members representing networks, would advocate for the signing of the pledge and enacting it with a view to prompting the networks they belong to also sign, using the resources and support provided.

6.    Would inform and support the development of a Surrey system approach to poverty framework.

Actions/further information to be provided:

1.    The comments around housing will be followed up, particularly around lobbying the Government and reviewing the outcomes and next steps of the Housing, Accommodation and Homes Strategy for Surrey.