Proposed by Councillor George Davies

Seconded by Councillor Steve Foulkes

(1)  This Council is appalled at the draconian cuts to welfare benefits agreed by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government, totalling £7 billion in 2014/15 with more likely to follow. At a time when the government has also cut taxes for millionaires Council finds this policy morally repugnant.

(2)  Cuts in benefits such as Incapacity Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Crisis Loans and the imposition of a ‘Bedroom’ Tax will hit the poorest in society the hardest.

(3)  Universal Credit, the flagship of the government’s welfare reforms, according to former Welfare Reform Minister, Frank Field, is ‘practically unachievable’ and heading for disaster.

(4)  The growth of Foodbanks is a sad indictment of the failure of this government to properly provide for those in need.

(5)  Figures published recently show that the government’s flagship welfare-to-work programme has failed to hit its main target. As a result, over the course of this Parliament the country’s welfare bill will be £20 billion higher than projected.

(6)  Many of the people who will suffer as a result of benefit cuts are likely to look to local Councils for help. Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to prepare an Emergency Plan which sets out how the Council together with organisations such as Registered Social Landlords and the Citizens Advice Bureau can provide assistance. The Plan should include: basic information on which benefits will be cut and who will be affected; the provision of enhanced welfare rights advice; and practical assistance to help people meet their basic living costs.

(7)  Council asks that this Plan be submitted to appropriate scrutiny committees and Cabinet at the earliest opportunity.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Tom Harney

Delete paragraphs (1) to (5) renumber paragraph (6) as paragraph (1) and insert:

‘Council recognises that’ at the beginning, in front of ‘many of the people…….’.

Renumber paragraph (7) as paragraph (2).

Following a debate and Councillor George Davies having replied, the amendment proposed by Councillor Gilchrist was put and lost (7:55) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried (36:26) (One abstention).

Resolved (36:26) (One abstention) –

(1)  This Council is appalled at the draconian cuts to welfare benefits agreed by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government, totalling £7 billion in 2014/15 with more likely to follow. At a time when the government has also cut taxes for millionaires Council finds this policy morally repugnant.

(2)  Cuts in benefits such as Incapacity Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Crisis Loans and the imposition of a ‘Bedroom’ Tax will hit the poorest in society the hardest.

(3)  Universal Credit, the flagship of the government’s welfare reforms, according to former Welfare Reform Minister, Frank Field, is ‘practically unachievable’ and heading for disaster.

(4)  The growth of Foodbanks is a sad indictment of the failure of this government to properly provide for those in need.

(5)  Figures published recently show that the government’s flagship welfare-to-work programme has failed to hit its main target. As a result, over the course of this Parliament the country’s welfare bill will be £20 billion higher than projected.

(6)  Many of the people who will suffer as a result of benefit cuts are likely to look to local Councils for help. Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to prepare an Emergency Plan which sets out how the Council together with organisations such as Registered Social Landlords and the Citizens Advice Bureau can provide assistance. The Plan should include: basic information on which benefits will be cut and who will be affected; the provision of enhanced welfare rights advice; and practical assistance to help people meet their basic living costs.

(7)  Council asks that this Plan be submitted to appropriate scrutiny committees and Cabinet at the earliest opportunity.