A Labour & Co-operative Party motion to declare a Food Poverty Emergency has been unanimously passed by Cherwell District Council. The Food Poverty Emergency declaration, proposed by Cllr Perran Moon, the Labour & Co-operative Councillor for Banbury Grimsbury & Hightown, and seconded by Cllr Rebecca Biegel, commits Cherwell District Council to:

– Designating a Food Champion: a lead member for food poverty at Cherwell District Council

– Establishing and reporting to Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the scale of the food poverty crisis in Cherwell

– Drawing up a Cherwell Food Action Plan that supports local communities in helping to relieve the food poverty emergency, in line with the new countywide food strategy

– Developing a promotional campaign that raises awareness of underclaimed Healthy Start food vouchers

– Supporting local communities to reduce food waste and improve the food choices of residents and continuing to be an active member of the Cherwell Community Food Network.

Commenting on the vote, Cllr Moon said: ‘This is a massively significant move. Many residents throughout Cherwell are facing the terrible choice of heating or eating. The situation this coming winter is set to get worse. Fuel bills and the cost of food are both likely to increase again in the autumn. The knock-on effects on declining mental health will increase the burden on the NHS.

“The council has effectively committed to ensuring that, on our watch, no one in Cherwell should go hungry. I sincerely hope that this declaration offers some small degree of comfort and reassurance to those residents who are struggling now or who may struggle in coming months.’