Prince George City Council unanimously approved submitting an application for $25,000 under the Union of BC Municipalities’ (UBCM) 2020 Poverty Reduction Planning & Action Program at yesterday’s (Monday) meeting.
The program will plan and implement a community engagement strategy to gather feedback on recommendations proposed by the Committee on Poverty Reduction.
The grant funding will be used to hire and pay a consultant to help reach out to those with lived experience, who will provide their recommendations to the Committee.
Council feedback on the issue was positive, but some were hesitant over hiring a consultant instead of taking advantage of existing staff resources.
“It’s important work that we are doing at the committee level, and the information we receive back will be paramount moving forward,” said Councillor Kyle Sampson.
“I know there are times consultants are needed to help our staff become experts in that field, I just proceeded with caution.”
He stressed he didn’t want outsourcing work for programs like this to become a habit.
“I want our staff to take what they can out of that so we don’t have to do this over again, that this is a one time consultant and we can have this in-house.”
The Committee on Poverty Reduction plans to bring its recommendations to PG City Council by June 30th, and use the remainder of the year to hear from people living in poverty or those with lived experience.
The Poverty Reduction Planning & Action Program is funded by the Province of BC and administered by UBCM.
The plan is designed to support governments in reducing poverty at the local level.
Final recommendations, reflecting input gathered during the engagement process, will be presented to Council by the end of the year.
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