The Strategic Directors Health and Wellbeing and Corporate Resources will submit a joint report (Document “AA”) which updates the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on work across the Bradford district in relation to ‘Period and Hygiene’ Poverty.

Recommended –

It is recommended -

(1)       That options 9.2 and 9.3 set out in Document “AA” are adopted by       this committee.

(2)       That officers are asked to work closely with current providers    across the district to better understand the impacts of period         and/or hygiene poverty and that a further report be prepared for       this committee in 12 months time.

(Sarah Possingham – 01274 431319 / Paul Bland - 01274 43 7874)

Resolved –

(1)       That this Committee welcomes the report and thanks officers and organisations for the work being undertaken to date to tackle period and hygiene poverty.

(2)       That a report be presented in 12 months time which specifically focuses on:

(i)            The causes of period and hygiene poverty;

(ii)          Actions being taken to address period and hygiene poverty;

(iii)         Identifying best practice and how this can be applied across the Bradford district;

(iv)         The approaches being used with homeless people in tackling period and hygiene poverty.

(3)       That this Committee requests that officers liaise with appropriate          organisations to address period and hygiene poverty across the      district.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing

(Sarah Possingham – 01274 431319)

The Strategic Directors Health and Wellbeing and Corporate Resources submitted a joint report (Document “AA”) which updated the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on work across the Bradford district in relation to ‘Period and Hygiene’ Poverty.

The Assistant Director Revenues and Benefits stated that following a motion at the meeting of Council on 16 October, a recommendation on period and hygiene poverty was considered by the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, who in turn referred the matter to this Committee as the issue was related to poverty.

The Senior Manager for Wider Determinants explained that although a comprehensive analysis of period and hygiene poverty in Bradford had not been undertaken, national figures had been extrapolated to give an insight into the problem locally.  In addition partner agencies involved with food banks routinely provided help and support in this area, as did schools and a number of organisations including the Council and the Unions, who were contributing to providing period and hygiene products and the success of the red box scheme was alluded to.

Representatives from partner agencies were present at the meeting and stated that period and hygiene poverty was linked to the wider poverty people experienced, and that further work was required to extend the help required and work with community organisations was on going.

Members welcomed the report and the work that was going on to address period and hygiene poverty and commented that the provision of products at the point of use was an excellent idea which reduced the stigma around the issue.

The work being undertaken by a number of schools and supermarkets was also endorsed and there was a need to increase provision of products across the secondary and primary school sector.

Members also alluded to the need for more education around periods and identifying best practice in order that the issue can be addressed effectively and efficiently. In addition gauging the problem amongst those who were homeless was also essential in order to provide the necessary support to them.

Resolved –

(1)       That this Committee welcomes the report and thanks officers and organisations for the work being undertaken to date to tackle period and hygiene poverty.

(2)       That a report be presented in 12 months time which specifically focuses on:

(i)            The causes of period and hygiene poverty;

(ii)          Actions being taken to address period and hygiene poverty;

(iii)         Identifying best practice and how this can be applied across the Bradford district;

(iv)         The approaches being used with homeless people in tackling period and hygiene poverty.

(3)       That this Committee requests that officers liaise with appropriate          organisations to address period and hygiene poverty across the      district.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing