Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing Services

Purpose of report

To inform Members of the new Oxfordshire Food strategy and outline how Cherwell District Council will join with partners in its adoption and delivery.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To endorse and commit to the Oxfordshire Food Strategy at Appendix 1.

Resolved

(1)          That the Oxfordshire Food Strategy (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be committed to and endorsed.

The Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing Services submitted a report which informed Members of the new Oxfordshire Food strategy and outline how Cherwell District Council will join with partners in its adoption and delivery.

Resolved

(1)          That the Oxfordshire Food Strategy (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be committed to and endorsed.

Reasons

An Oxfordshire wide food strategy has been developed by Good Food Oxfordshire in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, City and District councils and representatives from Oxfordshire community sector groups. The strategy supports a broad range of Council priorities and strategies including wellbeing and access to healthy food, Recovery and Renewal, access to green space, addressing food poverty and tackling inequalities.

It is proposed that £65k of funding would be allocated from Oxfordshire County Council to be put towards delivery of actions that will directly impact accessibility to food that can be used internally or put towards community groups within the Cherwell district to endorse and commit to the Oxfordshire Food Strategy and continue only to be a member of the Cherwell Food Network.This however would go against the Cherwell Food Networks ambition to expand its work and impact in the district, becoming more joined up in the bigger picture of food and allowing it to grow alongside a Food Strategy for Oxfordshire. improving food options for many residents and joining up actions with other partners to strengthen the system through reducing food waster, growing projects, and community action.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to endorse and commit to the Oxfordshire Food Strategy and continue only to be a member of the Cherwell Food Network.This however would go against the Cherwell Food Networks ambition to expand its work and impact in the district, becoming more joined up in the bigger picture of food and allowing it to grow alongside a Food Strategy for Oxfordshire. improving food options for many residents and joining up actions with other partners to strengthen the system through reducing food waster, growing projects, and community action.