Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing

Purpose of report

Following the adoption of the Oxfordshire Food Strategy by Executive on June 6 2022 (minute 7 refers)  there have been a series of meetings and consultations led by Good Food Oxfordshire, including community food network members and local food businesses to agree an action plan for Cherwell that is presented for approval.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1         To agree the Food Action Plan for the Cherwell area.

1.2         To delegate the approval of any grants to qualifying organisations to the Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities.

Resolved

(1)          That the Food Action Plan for the Cherwell area be agreed.

(2)          That the approval of any grants to qualifying organisations be delegated to the Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities.

The Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing submitted a report which sought approval of a Food Action Plan for Cherwell. Following the adoption of the Oxfordshire Food Strategy by Executive on June 6 2022 (minute 7 refers) there had been a series of meetings and consultations led by Good Food Oxfordshire, which included community food network members and local food businesses, and informed the proposed Food Action Plan.

Resolved

(1)          That the Food Action Plan for the Cherwell area be agreed.

(2)          That the approval of any grants to qualifying organisations be delegated to the Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities.

Reasons

Endorsing the Food Action Plan for Cherwell, which is the result of community consultation and shared ambition, allows groups involved to be confident in their plans for development. Furthermore it allows Cherwell District Council to receive funding from Oxfordshire County Council to support the delivery of the identified actions.

Alternative options

Option 1: To not endorse the action plan

This course of action has been rejected as there are no substantive reason why the council should not enter into a formalised action plan with regard to the vision of the Oxfordshire Food Strategy 'Where everyone in Oxfordshire can enjoy the healthy and sustainable food they need every day'.