Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive, which provided a progress report on the development of a Community Shop in Halton.

The Board was advised that the Community Shop model was a supermarket with a targeted membership which aimed to tackle food poverty. The concept was to provide quality branded food at discounted prices to reach people that needed help to achieve financial independence. This was achieved by redistributing food that was surplus in the supply chain, which would otherwise end up in landfill.

It was reported that after undertaking a feasibility study, commissioned by Big Local and Well Halton in September 2017, a site in Windmill Hill was identified as a suitable location for the opening of a Community Shop in Halton. Regardless of its location, it was noted that all households that were eligible for membership within the Borough would have the opportunity to become members as part of a rolling programme that would target identified areas of need. Alongside this, Members were advised that a Community Shop would provide employment and training opportunities; provide financial and debt advice; reduce dependence on food banks; and offer two-course low cost lunches to its members.

RESOLVED: That the Board support the continued development of a Community Shop in Halton, as outlined in the report.