Councillor Amanda Onwuemene moved and Councillor Ruth Molyneux seconded a motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13. In moving the motion, Councillor Onwuemene confirmed she was happy to accept the amendment moved by the Liberal Democrat group as follows:

Insert additional wording into paragraph 4 ‘including the use of the ‘‘Low Income Family Tracker’. Council recognises that advice services have been provided by well developed arrangements through a number of organisations over the years’.

 Insert additional paragraph after paragraph 6,

‘Council notes that in September 2021, the Adult Social Care and Public Health (ASPH) Committee began a programme of work to provide a more accessible and comprehensive approach to benefits available to residents. Further progress was made by the ASC&PH Committee in November 22 (Minute 60 refers) and July 2023 (Minute 25 refers), with the aim of securing a new service. Council further notes that an officer decision notice is expected within this municipal year with the aim to secure an improved range of services to be in place by next April. The report to the ASC&PH Committee recognised that the work of the team and volunteers at ‘ Ask Us Wirral’ had helped secure funds for our residents including £25.2million awarded to people through benefit claims’.

Insert additional wording at the end of section 2. After ‘income maximisation’ insert ‘Within the investigation, the Director of Finance is requested to examine the technical appendix and methodology set out in the Policy and Practice report, in particular the sections on ‘locally administered benefits’ and Council Tax Support to establish whether the suggestions and calculations can offer any steps that Wirral Council and its partners can take to assist claimants and,’

Insert additional wording at the end of section 3. After ‘March 2023’ insert ‘incorporating proposals that the Council already has in progress through work ongoing with Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board.’

Following a debate, and Councillor Onwuemene having replied, it was –

Resolved (58:0) (1 abstention) – That

3.8 million people in the UK, including one million children experienced destitution in 2022. This is two and a half times the figure of destitute adults and children that there were in 2017. Moreover, a growing number of adults and children are living in deep poverty and are in danger of becoming destitute. They are struggling to meet their most basic needs for a warm dry home and to keep clean and fed. Three-quarters of destitute adults are in receipt of benefits which are not keeping up with the rise in inflation and rent increases.

Data is now beginning to show that poverty levels in East Wirral are starting to be replicated in parts of West Wirral. Poverty that this council is committed to reducing is rising across Wirral.

Deep poverty increasingly affects adults who are in employment but unable to meet the increasing costs of rent, food and bills. Poverty kills potential in children who are often too hungry, cold and tired to learn, sleep or play. In adults, poverty and debt have a negative effect on a person’s mental health, their confidence and self - esteem.

Wirral Council currently works with numerous organisations to administer a range of benefits for residents. Council is keen that every effort is made to ensure that Wirral Residents are able to receive any potential unclaimed benefits and allowances in order to maximise income through working in collaboration with organisations for example Citizens Advice Bureau and Policy in Practice including the use of the Low Income Family Tracker’. Council recognises that advice services have been provided by well developed arrangements through a number of organisations over the years.

Nationally the total amount of unclaimed benefits and allowances has reached approximately £19 billion a year. The figure for the Wirral is at least £91 million per year in unclaimed benefits and allowances across 160,000 families. Some examples of such are as follows:

· Universal Credit £29,829,512.00

· Carer’s Allowance £14,011,024.00

· Pension Credit £11,596,125.00

· Council Tax Support £18,219,721.00 [2]

Other unclaimed benefit examples are: Council Tax, child support, broadband, water tariffs and free school meals.

Council notes that in September 2021, the Adult Social Care and Public Health (ASPH) Committee began a programme of work to provide a more accessible and comprehensive approach to benefits available to residents. Further progress was made by the ASC&PH Committee in November 22 ( Minute 60 refers) and July 2023 ( Minute 25 refers), with the aim of securing a new service. Council further notes that an officer decision notice is expected within this municipal year with the aim to secure an improved range of services to be in place by next April. The report to the ASC&PH Committee recognised that the work of the team and volunteers at ‘ Ask Us Wirral’ had helped secure funds for our residents including £25.2million awarded to people through benefit claims.

Council therefore:

1. acknowledges that there is a significant amount of unclaimed support payments in Wirral;

2. asks that the Director of Finance in consultation with the Director of Public Health investigates what additional information relevant to unclaimed support is available through Wirral-based and national organisations in order to support our residents in income maximisation; Within the investigation, the Director of Finance is requested to examine the technical appendix and methodology set out in the Policy and Practice report, in particular the sections on ‘locally administered benefits’ and Council Tax Support to establish whether the suggestions and calculations can offer any steps that Wirral Council and its partners can take to assist claimants and,

3. requests that a proposal on how the Council can further support residents to maximise income be brought to members of the Policy and Resources Committee in March 2024. incorporating proposals that the Council already has in progress through work ongoing with Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board.