> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Anger over Lichfield councillor’s cooking lessons suggestion during food bank funding discussion
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/anger-over-lichfield-councillors-cooking-lessons-suggestion-during-food-bank-funding-discussion/
- Published: 2022-05-19T08:54:10.000Z
- Updated: 2022-05-19T08:54:35.000Z
- Description: A councillor has spoken of his “anger” after a suggestion during a debate on food banks that funding should be sought for cooking lessons.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, News

A councillor has spoken of his “anger” after a suggestion during a debate on food banks that funding should be sought for cooking lessons.

Labour’s Cllr Dave Robertson was responding to comments made by Conservative member Cllr Barry Gwilt in a discussion at a Lichfield District Council meeting over whether money left over from a councillor community fund could be used to support local food banks.

Around £1,200 remains in the pot after not all councillors awarded the £300 to good causes in their community.

Cllr Gwilt, who represents Fazeley ward, told the meeting:

> “Overview and scrutiny could look at the £300 we were all given to find out what sum is outstanding that could maybe be used to go into food banks.  
>  
> “The other thing is a way of looking for funding for teaching people to cook as well as donating to food banks.”  
>  
> Cllr Barry Gwilt, Lichfield District Council

But Cllr Robertson said that while the money could be used to support those needing to use food banks, the suggestion that people were doing so because they couldn’t cook was incorrect.

> “It’s a sum of money that could do some good, but we do need to recognise there are at least five food banks operating seasonably so it would be a smaller amount divided between them.  
>  
> “I am concerned by the assertation that people who are let down by society so significantly that they are forced to rely on charity need to be taught to cook.  
>  
> “That’s wrong – it blames the victims of a society that has let them down.  
>  
> “It makes me quite angry to hear that.”  
>  
> Cllr Dave Robertson, Lichfield District Council