TOWN OF AMHERST

Advisory Committee to Reduce Poverty Issues

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Council Chambers, Town Hall
Members Present
  • Leon Landry, Town of Amherst, Deputy Mayor, Chairperson
  • Alison Lair, Cumberland County, Citizen Representative
  • Carla Black, Town of Oxford, Councillor
  • Jennifer Houghtaling, Cumberland County, Councillor
  • Helen Read, Town of Oxford, Citizen Representative
  • Rachel Sovka, Cumberland County, Citizen Representative
  • Melissa Johnson
  • Lynne Welton, Town of Amherst, Citizen Representative
  • Carrigan Guthro, Citizen Representative
Staff Present
  • Natalie LeBlanc, Town of Amherst, Municipal Clerk
  • Cindy Brown, Town of Amherst, Administrative Assistant
  • Linda Cloney, Town of Oxford, CAO
  • Shelley Hoeg-Eaton, Cumberland County, Municipal Clerk
  • Stanley McDougall, Town of Oxford, Office Assistant
  • Sharon Bristol, Town of Amherst, Director of Community Living
  • Jason MacDonald, Town of Amherst CAO
  • Greg Herrett, Cumberland County, CAO
  • Peter McCracken, Cumberland County, Deputy CAO

1.
Call to Order

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:38 PM.

1.1
Territorial Acknowledgement

 

The chair gave the Territorial Acknowledgement. 

1.2
Approval of Agenda

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Landry
    Seconded ByCarla Black

    That the agenda of the May 18, 2023 Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee Meeting to be approved as circulated.



    Motion Carried

1.3
Approval of Minutes - March 16, 2023

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee_Mar16_2023 - English.pdf
  • Moved ByCarla Black
    Seconded ByCouncillor Landry

    That the minutes of the March 16, 2023 Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee Meeting be approved as circulated.



    Motion Carried

1.4
Introducing New Members

 

The Committee welcomed the new members.  Carrigan Guthro was not present.

2.
Discussion Items

 

2.1
Universal Lunch Program

 

Councillor Jennifer Houghtaling discussed the Universal Lunch Program meeting she attended legislature with the Cumberland Youth Council and it was brought a up about the Universal Lunch Program which is ran by the federal government through the province.  The hope is to have the program running in all of our schools in the near future.  A pilot program began on April 11th, they have put in $100,000.00 towards six schools in Nova Scotia.  They have fresh food carts with locally grown vegetables and fruit available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at those schools.  Once the Federal Government finalizes their plan the Province will have for this program for all schools all across Nova Scotia five days a week.

2.2
Round Table Discussion - PRAC Strategy Working Group and Action Items

 

Sharon Bristol discussed the Poverty Reduction Action Committee Strategy.  Sharon wants to create working groups for the three main areas, food security, housing and youth engagement.  She will email the committee and she will need a response within a week's time so she can schedule meetings and workshops.  Jason MacDonald left at 5:00 pm and Peter McCracken left at 5:30 pm.

3.
Next Meeting - September 21, 2023

 

4.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved ByMelissa Johnson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Landry

    To adjourn the meeting.



    Motion Carried
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