Agenda item

Councillor J Wallace moved the following motion:

“This Council notes that food inflation is at its highest level for forty years and is currently higher than the Consumer Prices Index. Council further notes that the consumption of fresh fruit is beneficial for the health of Gateshead’s residents.

Council further notes that there are a number of disused orchards in the borough. Furthermore, many residents who have fruit trees in their gardens are unable to use all the produce which often goes into the waste system instead, at a direct cost to Gateshead Council.

Council calls on the Chief Executive to draw up a strategy in which:

1)     Unused orchards are identified;

2)     The voluntary sector brings them back into use;

3)     Surplus domestically produced fruit is collected by the voluntary sector to help address food poverty in the borough.”

In accordance with Council procedure, Council consented to the suspension of Council Procedure Rule 17.6 to allow consideration of an amendment to the notice of motion which was received out of time.

Councillor J Adams moved the following amendment;

Insert new paragraphs two and three:

“Council notes that the Thrive initiative, the Health and Well-Being Strategy, the Climate Change strategy and Poverty portfolio already exist with the objectives of reducing inequalities, helping people thrive and addressing food poverty in the borough.”

“Council also notes that it launched the Gateshead Food Network in 2018 and wishes to express its thanks to the individuals and voluntary and community organisations that have done so much good work over the years on tackling food poverty and on redistributing surplus food.”

Delete from “Council calls on the Chief Executive…”

Insert new concluding paragraph:

“Council resolves that it

1.     encourages individuals and the community and voluntary sector to identify unused orchards and bring them back into use, and will use its existing policies, strategies and networks to provide support and encouragement.

2.     encourages individuals and community and voluntary organisations to collect and distribute surplus domestically produced fruit to help address food poverty in the borough.”

The amendment was accepted by the mover of the original motion and therefore put as the substantive motion and duly carried.

COUNCIL RESOLVED           -          

This Council notes that food inflation is at its highest level for forty years and is currently higher than the Consumer Prices Index. Council further notes that the consumption of fresh fruit is beneficial for the health of Gateshead’s residents.

Council notes that the Thrive initiative, the Health and Well-Being Strategy, the Climate Change strategy and Poverty portfolio already exist with the objectives of reducing inequalities, helping people thrive and addressing food poverty in the borough.

Council also notes that it launched the Gateshead Food Network in 2018 and wishes to express its thanks to the individuals and voluntary and community organisations that have done so much good work over the years on tackling food poverty and on redistributing surplus food.

Council further notes that there are a number of disused orchards in the borough. Furthermore, many residents who have fruit trees in their gardens are unable to use all the produce which often goes into the waste system instead, at a direct cost to Gateshead Council.

Council resolves that it;

1.     encourages individuals and the community and voluntary sector to identify unused orchards and bring them back into use, and will use its existing policies, strategies and networks to provide support and encouragement.

2.     Encourages individuals and community and voluntary organisations to collect and distribute surplus domestically produced fruit to help address food poverty in the borough.”