Agenda

A live audio stream of the meeting can be heard on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/@leicestercitycouncildemocr5339

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2024 are available to view at: Agenda for Council on Thursday, 21 November 2024, 5:00 pm

Copies are also available from Governance Services on (0116) 454 6350 or committees@leicester.gov.uk

-           Presented by Members of the Public - None

-           Presented by Councillors - None

-           Petitions to be debated - None

Motion on Child Poverty and the Two Child Benefit Cap

Councillor Sue Waddington proposes that:

Leicester City Council wishes to express its deep concern about the growth in child poverty in Leicester and nationally.

The latest study published by the Social Metrics Commission (SMC)  found that  more than one in three children nationally -36% - are living in poverty, and the Leicester figures are even higher because of the lower levels of income among Leicester families. Child poverty dropped to 27% under the previous Labour Government, but under Conservative Governments it has risen each year from 2015 to the present levels.

The two child benefit cap has resulted in 55% of poor children living in families with three or more children, and the cap has contributed to the highest levels of child poverty ever recorded.

We recognise that the Labour Government is dealing with the legacy of a financial black hole and  that it will want to address child poverty as soon as possible. We call upon the Government to give this the highest priority and will write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor to ask them to do so with all urgency, beginning with abolishing the two child benefit cap.

As a Council we will also do everything possible within our powers and resources to combat child poverty so that all Leicester children can grow up free from poverty and deprivation.

Councillor Zuffar Haq proposes that:

This Council notes the following 

Leicester residents suffer from an unacceptable lack of access to GP and primary care services. According to a recent BBC analysis Leicester has the second worst GP patient ratio in England with 3262 patients per GP.

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd51y9vn9do#:~:text=The%20analysis%20looked%20at%20the,Leicester%20%2D%203%2C262 

With GPs being designated as the key gatekeepers to NHS treatment by the new Labour Government, the lack of GPs in Leicester is closing the door to vital health services for people living in the city.  

Leicester already has a 40% child poverty rate, a diverse population with poor health and high levels of deprivation. It has one of the worst life expectancy differential between city and county

Whilst NHS staff are doing a great job under relentless pressures since its creation the Leicester Integrated Care Board (ICB), has consistently failed to improve Primary Healthcare in Leicester.

An example of this, is the ICB's decision to close the local GP surgery in Evington Village, meaning that patients registered at this surgery and without their own transport, will now face 4 bus journeys to visit their GP at the main surgery. This is very impractical for a person who is feeling unwell, many of whom are elderly. This situation will result in more ambulance call outs, adding further pressures to an already overstretched service and contributing to the intense pressures staff are already working under in A&E, causing even longer waiting times for patients, which is already a major concern. 

This council, therefore, resolves the following.

To write to the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England to take immediate  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.