Issue - meetings

Motion on Declaring a Poverty Emergency

It was moved by Councillor Blackburne, seconded by Councillor Halsall that:

This council notes the increase in food bank use around the country and in Sefton in particular.

Council also notes fuel poverty is also very evident in Sefton with the number of households being fuel poor being higher than the national average.

This council notes that the highest single reason for need is ‘low income’.

Council also notes the success of the progress of the Climate Emergency declaration and that by aligning this with a Poverty Emergency believes that a commitment to a People and Planet approach will aid recovery and renewal.

This council believes it is time for change and that recognising socio-economic deprivation is an equality issue.

Therefore, this council resolves to:-

§  Declare a Poverty Emergency.

§  Ensure that the poverty emergency workstream sits alongside the Climate Emergency Declaration workstream.

§  Develop a poverty emergency strategy which takes a people and planet approach.

§  Take a collaborative and evidence-based approach, working more closely with health, trade unions, further education facilities and community groups.

§  To share our approach with other councils and the LGA as best practice.

Following debate on the Motion the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared the Motion was carried by 54 votes to 5 and it was:

RESOLVED: That:

This council notes the increase in food bank use around the country and in Sefton in particular.

Council also notes fuel poverty is also very evident in Sefton with the number of households being fuel poor being higher than the national average.

This council notes that the highest single reason for need is ‘low income’.

Council also notes the success of the progress of the Climate Emergency declaration and that by aligning this with a Poverty Emergency believes that a commitment to a People and Planet approach will aid recovery and renewal.

This council believes it is time for change and that recognising socio-economic deprivation is an equality issue.

Therefore, this council resolves to:-

§  Declare a Poverty Emergency.

§  Ensure that the poverty emergency workstream sits alongside the Climate Emergency Declaration workstream.

§  Develop a poverty emergency strategy which takes a people and planet approach.

§  Take a collaborative and evidence-based approach, working more closely with health, trade unions, further education facilities and community groups.

§  To share our approach with other councils and the LGA as best practice.