Agenda

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2024.

To be advised of any additional items of business which the Mayor decides by reason of special circumstances shall be taken as matters of urgency at this meeting. Items will be considered at the end of the agenda.

To receive verbally from Members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council's code of conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the Agenda.

To receive such communications as the Mayor may decide to lay before the Council.

To deal with questions under Council Procedure Rule number 14.

To deal with petitions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.

To receive the Leader of the Council's Position Statement.

To receive for information only the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 29 August 2024.

To seek approval of the procurement of the replacement HGV fleet from 1 September 2025 along with the associated supplementary budgets.

To seek approval of the annual review of achievements against the council’s corporate plan.

To seek approval of the proposed submission on Council size to support the Local Government Boundary Commission’s review of electoral boundaries.

Motion from Councillor M Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Bools

“The two-child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative government in 2017 and is supported by the current Labour government. It prevents families from claiming child tax credit or universal credit for more than two children in the household.

Council notes the recent research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition which has found that:

·         1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one in ten children in the UK

·         In 2023/24, the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year

·         There is a strong correlation between families affected by the two-child limit and those who are living in poverty

·         Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in

·         Scrapping the two-child limit would cost £1.3 billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year.

In Hinckley & Bosworth, 1,680 children in 470 households are currently affected by the two-child limit to benefit payments. That is 7% of all children in the authority area. At the same time, 6, 427 local children are living in poverty.

Council strongly believes that the two-child limit to benefit payments is a cruel and armful policy that should be scrapped. Research from the University of York has shown its introduction has had no positive impacts on employment and earnings. Instead, it has dragged thousands of local families into poverty.

Council notes the Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the two-child limit to benefit payments since it was introduced – calling for it to be axed in their 2017, 2019 and 2024 manifestos. Council notes with concern the stance of the Labour government which is committed to keeping the cap – going as far as suspending the whip from MPs who rebel against this position.

Council resolves to:

·         Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister indicating Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s strong belief that the two-child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped, which would help 1,680 children living in Hinckley & Bosworth

·         Ensure the number of children a family has is considered when a hardship grant is given out by the council”.