The Chair introduced the report which provided an update on the delivery of Household Support Fund (Round 7) and the work of the Community & Partnerships Team on tackling poverty in the Borough.

The Community & Partnerships Manager reported that officers had received the guidance for the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), and further detail was required from KCC and a detailed update would be provided at a future meeting.  With regard to recommendation (2) and the option for an Anti-Poverty Champion - internal, her role as Community & Partnerships Manager already delivered a lot of the required work, with the Cost-of-Living Partnership Group being well represented by partners from the voluntary sector so they would be well placed as the Anti-Poverty Champion - external.   

The Chair invited comments from Members, and these included:

·         Were Swale unusual in terms of other Local Authorities in using the information that had been gathered?;

·         there was a lack of resilience and role models within communities, and they both needed to be a priority moving forward;

·         the funding would make such a positive difference to the local community;

·         suggested holding a One Swale Roadshow at Leysdown during October/November 2026 which would coincide with the closure of the holiday parks;

·         requested that a One Swale Roadshow be held at Queenborough;

·         needed to work in partnership with Southern Water and South East Water to ensure residents were aware of the social water tariffs, which offered customers a 50% discount if they were on benefits;

·         welcomed the targeted benefit uptake campaigns, but there was more to do to ensure those that were entitled to Pension Credit were aware that they could claim it;

·         could the Council ‘tighten-up’ on those illegally camping at the holiday parks on the Isle of Sheppey during the closed period?;

·         sought clarity on the role of the Anti-Poverty Champion, and considered more could be achieved with a group of people championing rather than two individuals;

·         considered the Council needed an improved communications vision rather than two anti-poverty champions;

·         needed to be clearer on what would be required from the anti-poverty champion and referred to the Council’s Armed Forces Champion;

·         agreed that the Anti-Poverty Champion – internal should be an officer of the Council;

·         sought clarity on whether the proposed champions would be the first contact point for Members regarding anti-poverty; and

·         considered that more work was required on recommendation (2) so it was clearer what the role of the proposed champions would be.

In response, the Community & Partnerships Manager explained that in terms of resilience there was a new workstream within the CRF which would create many opportunities to develop resilience.  There had been some successes with the One Swale Roadshows, and as the funding for them would be ending March 2026, officers would be reviewing whether they were being held in the correct locations and seeking views from those that attended them to inform their format moving forward.  The Director of Regeneration & Neighbourhoods added that by October/November 2026 a board for the Pride in Place for Sheppey East should be set-up, and this might be one avenue to secure funding for the One Swale Roadshows.

The Community & Partnerships Manager reported that the water enrolment for Southern Water was up and running, and discussions were ongoing with South East Water.  She said that officers would look at how all the anti-poverty work was being communicated and how Members could better access all the information.

With regard to the anti-poverty champion role, the Chair explained that she had envisaged the role being outwardly championing the fact that the Council cared and wanted to eliminate poverty.  She said there was a huge amount of work that the Council did that was not always ‘out there’, and envisaged the internal Anti-Poverty Role being taken up by the Community & Partnerships Manager.

The Head of Housing & Communities clarified the role of the Council’s Armed Forces Covenant leads.  She said there was a Member and an officer champion and their primary role was to help ex-service men and women link with groups such as The Royal British Legion etc.   

Councillor Bowen proposed the following motion:  That recommendation (2) of the report be deferred pending a more detailed proposal.  This was seconded by Councillor Harrison.  On being put to the vote the motion was lost.

Councillor Martin proposed the following amendment to recommendation (2) of the report:  To agree to appoint two Anti-Poverty Champions…”.   That the Community & Partnerships Manager be appointed as the Council’s Anti-Poverty Champion - internal and a representative from the Cost-of-Living Partnership Group be appointed as the Council’s Anti-Poverty Champion - external.  This was seconded by Councillor Watson.  On being put to the vote the amendment was agreed.

The Chair proposed recommendation (1) of the report, which was seconded by Councillor Bowen.

Councillor Martin proposed recommendation (2) of the report, as amended, and this was seconded by Councillor Alastair Gould.   

Resolved:

(1)   That the report be noted

(2)   That the Community & Partnerships Manager be appointed as the Council’s Anti-Poverty Champion - internal and a representative from the Cost-of-Living Partnership Group be appointed as the Council’s Anti-Poverty Champion - external.