Mansfield mayor vows to fight to save Food clubs from threat of closure

Mr Abrahams put forward a motion at the latest full Mansfield Council meeting requesting better communication and partnership working with Nottinghamshire Council, following its decision to cut funding to Family Action.

He said the decision threatens the closure of Mansfield’s Food on our Doorstep clubs, which have been vital in helping families survive during the cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Abrahams said: “The decision to withdraw funding to Family Action comes only months after the council had taken a decision to commit £210 000 from public health under spends and sustain all Food clubs across the county for a further three years.

“However, only four months later, Nottinghamshire Council did a U-turn. In Mansfield, the impact threatens the future of both the Mansfield Woodhouse and Ravensdale Food clubs.

“The funding previously identified by the county council to sustain the Food clubs would have covered staffing that would benefit all clubs within the county and help cover Family Action’s overhead costs.

“Without guaranteed funding in place, Family Action will potentially withdraw support for the operation of the Mansfield clubs.

“This would result in the loss of the Mansfield Food club co-ordinator and regional co-ordinator who support the Food clubs locally.

“Without funding and the support and expertise offered by Family Action to provide the guidance required to set-up and operate a Food Club, it is unrealistic to expect community groups to take on the operation of a club and the model therefore becomes unsustainable.

“We will be fighting to continue this vital support for communities at this time when it is most needed.”

Coun Matt Barney (Con), cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said: “Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have awarded significant amounts of money to support food redistribution schemes.

“In Mansfield, six Food clubs have been established – two in Children Centre Service buildings and four in community settings.

“This funding came to an end in August 2022.

“As an interim measure, £50,000 was made available by the council for the schemes in Children Centre Service buildings to continue operating until March 2023 while a review into food redistribution schemes took place.

“It goes without saying that we are acutely aware of the difficulties faced by a significant number of residents but, until now, we’ve only been able to support families and households with children under the age of five who access Children’s Centre Services.

“Therefore, in December the cabinet agreed that food redistribution schemes should be supported with funding made available to the voluntary and community sector via our Local Communities Fund.

“This has enabled £210,000 to be made available over the next three years.

“Family Action, like any other organisation in the Mansfield area, had the opportunity to apply for a Food Redistribution Grant, but didn’t do so.

“However, Family Action applied for financial support from our Local Communities Fund Cost of Living Scheme and are being awarded £6,000 for Food Clubs in Mansfield.

“This funding will ensure food redistribution schemes are based in the best location for the people who need them and reaffirms our commitment to supporting vulnerable residents with cost-of-living pressures.”