Agenda item - Public Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:

(a)          Petitions: To receive any petitions presented by members of the public to the full Council or at the meeting itself.

To consider a petition requesting that the Council consider “Implementing a policy for the distribution of free sanitary products to schools to counter period poverty” – referred from the meeting of Council held o 19 July 2018 (copy attached).

(b)          Written Questions: To receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 2 October 2018.

(c)          Deputations: To receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 2 October 2018.

17a     Petitions

17.1    The Committee were asked to consider a petition which had been referred from Full Council requesting implementation of a policy for the distribution of free sanitary products to schools to counter period poverty.

17.2    The full wording of the petition and an extract of the minutes from the meeting of Council held on 19 July 2018 had been circulated with the agenda and are also set out below. Ms Whittaker the lead petitioner was invited forward by the Chair to speak in support of her petition:

            “We the undersigned petition Brighton &Hove Council to implement a policy for the distribution of free sanitary products to schools to counter period poverty. We see this as an integral part of the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy.”

17.3    The Chair, Councillor Daniel, responded in the following terms:

            “I would like to thank Ms Whittaker for attending this building a second time to present a petition on an issue which affects a significant number of children in the city’s schools. The information provided in the petition has been noted, as has the request that the Council lead on ensuring the free distribution of sanitary products at schools do as to counteract period poverty. Steps are already being taken to mitigate the problem and its impact on girls and young women in the city in concert with the Red Box Project, implemented in a number of local authority areas whereby arrangements are in place whereby free tampons and pads are left in local schools.

          Although this is already underway I propose that we seek a written report to consider ways in which the Council might additionally support work in this area. This will include any practical steps which might be taken as well as any funding implications which arise as a result.”

17.4    RESOLVED – That a report be brought  forward to the next scheduled meeting of the Committee setting out ways in which the Council might additionally support work to seek to address period poverty.

17b     Written Questions

17.5    There were none.

17c     Deputations

17.6    There were none.