Agenda item

a)         Brexit

Proposed by the City Mayor, seconded by Councillor Myers:

This Council believes that:

“Leicester City Council is deeply concerned that, although two years have passed since the referendum, no agreement has yet been reached with the EU and there remains great uncertainty about the impact of Brexit on the well-being of the city, its economy and its people.

The Council calls on the government to give the British people an opportunity to vote on the acceptability or otherwise of the final terms of leaving the EU. “

b)        Universal Credit

Proposed by Councillor Waddington, seconded by Councillor Master:

This Council believes that:

“Leicester City Council wishes to express strong concern about the impact of the roll out of Universal Credit. We are aware of the financial hardship experienced by many people and families who have been moved onto this new system of benefits.

The problems experienced include;-

• Long waits for payments and the requirement to repay advanced UC ‘loans’
• An increase in rent and council tax arrears
• Increased use of sanctions leaving people without adequate resources
• Difficulties with the complex online application and follow up
• Lower rates of financial support impacting particularly on people with disabilities or long term illnesses and upon single parent families.

The Council will within its resources seek to help those adversely affected by the roll out of Universal Credit in Leicester by;-

• Ensuring that there are sufficient welfare rights advisers who are accessible to all claimants who need help in making their on line claims, chasing up late and inaccurate payments, appealing adverse decisions and providing debt management support.
• Providing support to food banks who are helping more people as a result of the roll out of Universal Credit
• Agreeing not to evict Council tenants who are in arrears with their rent as a consequence of late, inaccurate or postponed UC payments and urging other landlords to do the same.
• Ensuring that the LCC hardship grants are sufficient and accessible to help those adversely affected by UC to enable them to meet their basic needs for things like electricity, gas, rent, council tax bills, clothing and food.
• Reviewing the use of bailiffs and debt recovery agents where UC has contributed to the problems faced by those in debt.

Despite all of the above measures Leicester City Council is aware that the implementation of a Full Service Universal Credit system in the City is likely to prove seriously detrimental to the health and well being of thousands of local residents.

We will write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions asking for the system to be redesigned so that it removes the risks of increasing poverty and hardship identified in this motion.”

BREXIT

Under Council Procedure Rule 18c, the City Mayor, seconded by Councillor Myers put forward an amended motion to be put to Council. (The amendment is detailed in bold at the end of the motion below):

“Leicester City Council is deeply concerned that, although two years have passed since the referendum, no agreement has yet been reached with the EY and there remains great uncertainty about the impact of Brexit on the well-being of the city, its economy and its people.

The Council calls on the government to give the British people an opportunity to vote on the acceptability or otherwise of the final terms of leaving the EU in a referendum with all options on the table.”

There followed a debate.

The Lord Mayor put the amended motion (incorporating the amendment) to the vote and declared it carried:

18:      “Leicester City Council is deeply concerned that, although two years have passed since the referendum, no agreement has yet been reached with the EU and there remains great uncertainty about the impact of Brexit on the well-being of the city, its economy and its people.

            The Council calls on the government to give the British people an opportunity to vote on the acceptability or otherwise of the final terms of leaving the EU in a referendum will all options on the table.”

UNIVERSAL CREDIT

Moved by Councillor Waddington, seconded by Councillor Master and carried:

19.      “Leicester City Council wishes to express strong concern about the impact of the roll out of Universal Credit. We are aware of the financial hardship experienced by many people and families who have been moved onto this new system of benefits.

The problems experienced include;-

·         Long waits for payments and the requirement to repay advanced UC ‘loans’

·         An increase in rent and council tax arrears

·         Increased use of sanctions leaving people without adequate resources

·         Difficulties with the complex online application and follow up

·         Lower rates of financial support impacting particularly on people with disabilities or long term illnesses and upon single parent families.

The Council will within its resources seek to help those adversely affected by the roll out of Universal Credit in Leicester by;-

·         Ensuring that there are sufficient welfare rights advisers who are accessible to all claimants who need help in making their on line claims, chasing up late and inaccurate payments, appealing adverse decisions and providing debt management support.

·         Providing support to food banks who are helping more people as a result of the roll out of Universal Credit

·         Agreeing not to evict Council tenants who are in arrears with their rent as a consequence of late, inaccurate or postponed UC payments and urging other landlords to do the same.

·         Ensuring that the LCC hardship grants are sufficient and accessible to help those adversely affected by UC to enable them to meet their basic needs for things like electricity, gas, rent, council tax bills, clothing and food.

·         Reviewing the use of bailiffs and debt recovery agents where UC has contributed to the problems faced by those in debt.

Despite all of the above measures Leicester City Council is aware that the implementation of a Full Service Universal Credit system in the City is likely to prove seriously detrimental to the health and well being of thousands of local residents.

We will write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions asking for the system to be redesigned so that it removes the risks of increasing poverty and hardship identified in this motion.”