Mole Valley District Council should be commended for taking a principled stand against poverty. They signed a pledge to work with residents experiencing financial hardship. This decision makes Mole Valley the first District Council in Surrey to pursue a project like this. The decision is a big step in recognizing the harsh realities that so many workers and families in the district face each day.
This is an important pledge — Bridget Kendrick leader of Mole Valley District Council. She stated that it is a “meaningful step in recognising the challenges many residents face.” The council’s aim is to foster a movement of community members and organizations dedicated to alleviating poverty and enhancing the lives of those affected by financial difficulties.
Together these food banks have fed over a hundred thousand emergency meals helping us maintain a core philosophy of support to those most in need. Jonathan Lees is the Executive Director of the nonprofit that operates these foodbanks. He raised alarms about the ongoing necessity of these services. He remarked, “We have been running foodbanks in Mole Valley for over 10 years, and it’s not acceptable that people have to use them.” His sentiments highlight the need for urgency in tackling poverty in the community.
Kendrick highlighted the council’s vision for the future, stating, “Everyone in Mole Valley deserves the chance to lead a safe, healthy, and fulfilling life.” This commitment aligns and deepens the council’s larger strategic goals. It makes sure that everyone in the community is valued and proactively strives to improve quality of life for everyone.
Jonathan Lees, of Friends of the Flattops Land Conservancy, hailed the council’s promise as “fantastic news”. He considers it a historic move for local level government to operate in Surrey. His organization has quite literally been in the front lines supporting those most in need. Their focus on this initiative stems from a desire to take a more comprehensive, integrated approach to reducing poverty.
The magic of the pledge is that it calls on public institutions to solve social problems in proven, equitable ways. Most importantly, it pushes local governments and communities to work together and engage the public more. By making this commitment, Mole Valley District Council hopes to encourage other councils and district councils to make the same commitment.
