Agenda and minutes

The Mayor advised of the absence of his Chaplain, Father Michael of St Richard's Church and the attendance of Paul Rowan, Parish MC, who led Members and officers in prayer.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Baybutt, Bullock, Mrs Evans and Pryce-Roberts.

If a member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Borough Solicitor in advance of the meeting.  (For the assistance of members a checklist for use in considering their position on any particular item is included at the end of this agenda sheet.)

The following declarations were received:

1.         Councillors Aldridge, Barron, Hennessy, O’Toole and Pope declared a pecuniary / non pecuniary interest in relation to, agenda item 8 ‘Policy Options 2018-2021'*, agenda item 10 'Revised Capital Programme', agenda item 15 'LCC Public Realm Work 2018-2021' and agenda item 11 'Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Delivery Plan for West Lancashire' as Members of Lancashire County Council (LCC), as did Councillors Gagen and McKay as employees of LCC, and indicated that they would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected LCC*.

2.         Councillors Ashcroft, Barron, Mrs Blake, Blane, Gordon, Kay, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Pope and Whittington declared a pecuniary / non pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 10 'Revised Capital Programme' and agenda item 11 'Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Delivery Plan for West Lancashire' as Members of a Parish Council and indicated they would not participate in any detailed discussions which affected the finances of those bodies specifically.*

* By virtue of a dispensation granted by the Standards Committee all Councillors who have disclosable pecuniary or pecuniary interests in relation to relevant lines in the budget may participate and vote in the budget debates but not engage in detailed discussions about matters which affect those interests.

3.         Councillors Delaney, Devine, Forshaw, Owen, Nixon and West (Tenant of a Council flat/house) Aldridge and McKay (Tenant of a Council garage) declared disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to item 9 ‘HRA Mid-Year Review’ for the reasons indicated but were entitled to speak and vote by virtue of an exemption (nothing in these reports relates particularly to their respective interests arising from the tenancy or lease).

4.         Councillors Aldridge, Blaine, Mee, Pendleton and Wright declared non-pecuniary interests in relation to item 9 ‘HRA Mid-Year Review’ as they have a connected person who is a tenant of rented Council accommodation. Insofar as that interest becomes a pecuniary interest (as it could affect the financial position of their relative and a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard this as so significant that it is likely to prejudice their judgement of the public interest) they declared that interest but considered that they were entitled to speak and vote by virtue of an exemption as nothing in these reports relates particularly to the relevant tenancy or lease.

5.         Councillor Wilkie declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 11 'Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Delivery Plan for West Lancashire' and agenda item 17(c) 'Fitting of Sprinklers Motion' as an employee of the Fire Service as did Councillors Hennessy and O'Toole as Members of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Authority.

6.         Councillors Ashcroft, Barron, Cooper, Cotterill, Furey, O'Toole, Owens, Savage, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Yates and Wright declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 17(a) '"Tyred" Campaign Motion' and agenda item 17(c) 'Fitting of Sprinklers Motion' as School Governors.

7.         Councillor Savage declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 17(d) 'Universal Credit Roll Out Motion'.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 October 2017.

RESOLVED:     That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 18 October 2017, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor announced:

1.     That there were two Charity events coming up:

• Charity Race Night at Evermoor Hub on Saturday 27 January 2018.  Tickets are £5 each, which includes a hot pot supper.

• The Mayor's Charity Ball will be held on Friday 6 April 2018 at Lancashire Manor Hotel in Up Holland.  More details to follow in the New Year.

2.     That Dave Tilleray, Director of Leisure and Wellbeing, was leaving the Council on 19 January 2017 after over 38 years public sector service, starting at Blackburn Borough Council in 1979 and joining West Lancashire in 1995.  The Mayor and Members thanked Dave for his service and wished him well for the future.

3.     That former Borough Councillor Bill Tickett had recently passed away. The Mayor provided details of his funeral arrangements and Councillor Aldridge paid tribute to his service to the Council.

The following questions were received:

1.     Skelmersdale's Town Centre Improvements - Question raised by Councillor A Owens on behalf of local residents

"Please could the Council Leader or Portfolio Holder provide some dates for improvements to Skelmersdale's Town Centre?  There seems to be continual improvements in Ormskirk but nothing yet visible in Skelmersdale."

2.     Skelmersdale Town Council - Question raised by Councillor A Owens on behalf of local residents

"Please could the Council Leader explain why Skelmersdale has no Town Council or similar organisation to speak for it?  With a population of about 40,000, as opposed to Ormskirk's 25,000, it does seem that the town is a poor relation."

3.     One Hour Free Parking provision in Ormskirk - Question raised by Councillor A Owens on behalf of local residents

"Several medical practices are situated in Ormskirk Town Centre and when patients have a medical appointment they have to park their vehicle in one of the Town Centre car parks. This obviously incurs a cost, which a lot of people can ill afford.  This doesn't happen in Skelmersdale, Burscough, Parbold, Up Holland and Aughton, so why should the patients in the Ormskirk medical practices have to pay?  The car park used by the council is paid for by the rates of the local population through which council employees get a bonus by getting free parking, while the people who pay for the car parks have an extra cost to attend for medical treatment.  Would the Council Leader or Portfolio Holder agree to a time restriction of one hours free parking on Ormskirk Town Centre car parks as this should suffice as the medical practices rarely run late excessively?"

4.     Car Parking Charges for Blue Badge Holders - Question raised by Councillor A Owens on behalf of local residents

"While accepting the need for wider spacing and for additional time, Blue Badge holders are not necessarily financially disadvantaged.  Therefore, does the Council have any plans to introduce car parking charges for Blue Badge holders, in line with a number other council policies and the local hospital?"

5.     Reporting of Damage to Footpaths - Question raised by Councillor A Owens on behalf of local residents

"Virgin Media are currently being allowed to leave damage they cause to footpaths unrepaired in the Borough.  While Highways is a county council responsibility, how many fault reports, related to the poor Virgin Media reinstatement, have been raised to the county council by the Borough Councilfollowing observation of this poor work by Borough Council staff in the course of their work e.g. street cleansing teams since 1st August 2017?"

Members were advised that a copy of the responses would be e-mailed following the meeting and included on the Council's website.

(Note:    A motion 'to change the order of business on the agenda' was moved,  seconded and agreed and items 17(a), (b) and (c) 'Motions' were considered – see Minutes 75 to 79 below.)

To receive the minutes of the following meetings, to confirm, if appropriate, such of the minutes as require confirmation and to pass such resolutions as the Council may deem necessary:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the undermentioned meetings of the Committees shown.

RESOLVED    That the minutes of the undermentioned meetings and any recommendations contained in them, be approved:

A.    Licensing and Gambling Committee held on Tuesday, 10 October 2017.

B.    Licensing and Appeals Committee held on Tuesday, 10 October 2017.

C.    Planning Committee held on Thursday, 9 November 2017.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Executive, as contained on pages 497 to 504 of the Book of Reports, which set out the Policy Options that were deferred for consideration at the previous Council meeting.

A Motion was circulated, which was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken on the Motion, which was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the Policy Option proposals set out in the Appendix be approved subject to:

·       The title of option OP13 being changed from "Home Care Link – look to at least break even or else review the provision and model of service delivery" to "Home Care Link - ensure the current level of service is maintained through a revised, sustainable delivery model" in reflection of its impact

·       Option OP15 "Cease provision of civic car and chauffeur" not being implemented at this time while a full review of the mayoral role takes place

·       Option OP16 "Reduced Civic Services and Mayoral Role – no officer support for the Mayor's Charity and reduce visits to those within the Borough" being amended so that it is implemented from the 2018 Annual Council meeting rather than the 1st April 2018 and with visits outside the Borough still continuing, with its savings value reduced to £7,000 in 2018-19

B.   That the Chief Executive and Heads of Service be given authority to take all necessary action in connection with the implementation of these proposals.

To consider the joint report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion and the Borough Treasurer.

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion and the Borough Treasurer, as contained on pages 505 to 518 of the Book of Reports, which provides a summary of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Housing Capital Programme positions for the 2017/2018 financial year.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the HRA and Housing Capital Programme positions be noted.

B.      That the proposed capital budget adjustments set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Treasurer, as contained on pages 519 to 526 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of a Revised General Revenue Account Capital Programme for 2017/2018 and provided an update on progress against it.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the Revised Capital Programme, including the re-profiling, virements and budget adjustments contained within Appendix A, be approved.

B.   That progress against the Revised Capital Programme be noted.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor, as contained on pages 527 to 594 of the Book of Reports, which set out the report of the Director of Leisure and Wellbeing that sought approval of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Delivery Plan.         

RESOLVED:   That the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Delivery Plan be approved.

(Note: Councillor Pope left the meeting during consideration of this item.)

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor, as contained on pages 595 to 612 of the Book of Reports, which proposed revisions to the protocol for public speaking at meetings of Cabinet, Overview & Scrutiny Committees, Audit & Governance Committee and Standards Committee and advised on other related matters raised at the Public Involvement at Meetings Working Group.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the revised 'Public Speaking – Protocol' for meetings of Cabinet, Overview & Scrutiny Committees, Audit & Governance Committee and Standards Committee, attached at Appendix 1 to the attached report (Appendix A), be approved, having taken into consideration the comments of the Corporate and Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Appendix 3) and Cabinet (Appendix 4).

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor, as contained on pages 613 to 614 of the Book of Reports, which advised that, for the period 1 December 2016 to 30 November 2017, no decisions were taken under Access to Information Procedure Rule 16 (Special Urgency).

RESOLVED:   That it be noted that Access to Information Rule 16 (Special Urgency) was not exercised during the period 1 December 2016 to 30 November 2017.

It is recommended that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item(s) of business in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (financial/business affairs) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and as, in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED:      That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 (financial/business affairs) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act and as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To consider the report of the Director of Street Scene.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Street Scene, as contained on pages 615 to 624 of the Book of Reports, which outlined the outcome of negotiations with Lancashire County Council in respect of the future arrangements for delivering the public realm works in the West Lancashire Borough.

RESOLVED:   That delegated authority be given to the Director of Street Scene in consultation with the portfolio holder for Street Scene, to enter into a 3 year Partnership Agreement for Public Realm Works with Lancashire County Council, as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report, subject to the cost of these works being contained within the available funding.

To consider the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion, as contained on pages 625 to 670 of the Book of Reports and the 'new information' circulated at the meeting, which provided an update on the latest position in connection with the Westec development project and sought approval to proceed with the project, based on tenders received, and an updated financial appraisal.

RESOLVED:   That authority be granted to the Director of Housing and Inclusion to take all necessary steps to effect the proposed development of the site, including the sale of market housing and the provision of affordable housing as set out in this report.

To consider the following Motions included on the agenda at the request of the Members indicated:

The following Motions were considered at the request of the Members indicated:

On Monday 10 September 2012 a coach bound for Liverpool carrying 53 people from the Bestival music festival on the Isle of Wight, left the road and crashed into a tree instantly killing Michael Molloy (18), Kerry Ogden (23) and the coach driver, Colin Daulby (63), and left others with life changing injuries. The inquest into the crash found that the front nearside tyre which was actually older than the coach itself, at 19 years, was responsible for the crash. In 2014, Liverpool City Council unanimously agreed a motion in support of Michael’s mother Frances calling for a change in the law requiring a ban on tyres older than six years on commercial vehicles. Despite the wide spread public and political support for this campaign, no change in the law has been made, shamefully leaving others at risk from faulty and dangerous tyres.

That this Council:

• Notes that Frances Molloy has launched “Tyred” – the official campaign to pressure Government – to change the law to ban the use of tyres older than ten years on commercial vehicles.

• Wholeheartedly supports “Tyred” and instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to call together cross-party support for a change in the law.

• Supports the “Tyred” campaign until such a change in the law is achieved and to draw the attention of the Local Government Association, especially its Environment and Transport Board, to this Council’s view that the concerns should be fully addressed.

That the Chief Executive be asked to write to all schools in the Borough asking them to require coach and bus operators they use for school trips etc to adhere to the provisions set out in the "Tyred" campaign.

That Council officers be asked to look at our own procurement procedures with a view to inserting an appropriate clause in any contracts with coach and bus commercial operators.

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"On Monday 10 September 2012 a coach bound for Liverpool carrying 53 people from the Bestival music festival on the Isle of Wight, left the road and crashed into a tree instantly killing Michael Molloy (18), Kerry Ogden (23) and the coach driver, Colin Daulby (63), and left others with life changing injuries. The inquest into the crash found that the front nearside tyre which was actually older than the coach itself, at 19 years, was responsible for the crash. In 2014, Liverpool City Council unanimously agreed a motion in support of Michael’s mother Frances calling for a change in the law requiring a ban on tyres older than six years on commercial vehicles. Despite the wide spread public and political support for this campaign, no change in the law has been made, shamefully leaving others at risk from faulty and dangerous tyres.

That this Council:

1. Notes that Frances Molloy has launched “Tyred” – the official campaign to pressure Government – to change the law to ban the use of tyres older than ten years on commercial vehicles.

2. Wholeheartedly supports “Tyred” and instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to call together cross-party support for a change in the law.

3. Supports the “Tyred” campaign until such a change in the law is achieved and to draw the attention of the Local Government Association, especially its Environment and Transport Board, to this Council’s view that the concerns should be fully addressed.

That the Chief Executive be asked to write to all schools in the Borough asking them to require coach and bus operators they use for school trips etc to adhere to the provisions set out in the "Tyred" campaign.

That Council officers be asked to look at our own procurement procedures with a view to inserting an appropriate clause in any contracts with coach and bus commercial operators."

RESOLVED:   A.   That this Council:

(i)      Notes that Frances Molloy has launched “Tyred” – the official campaign to pressure Government – to change the law to ban the use of tyres older than ten years on commercial vehicles.

(ii)     Wholeheartedly supports “Tyred” and instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to call together cross-party support for a change in the law.

(iii)   Supports the “Tyred” campaign until such a change in the law is achieved and to draw the attention of the Local Government Association, especially its Environment and Transport Board, to this Council’s view that the concerns should be fully addressed.

B.   That the Chief Executive be asked to write to all schools in the Borough asking them to require coach and bus operators they use for school trips etc to adhere to the provisions set out in the "Tyred" campaign.

C.   That Council officers be asked to look at our own procurement procedures with a view to inserting an appropriate clause  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

This year, Baby Loss Awareness Week called for improved bereavement support for families affected by baby and pregnancy loss. Baby Loss Awareness Week is held annually from 9 to 15 October and is a special opportunity to mark the loss of pregnancies and the brief lives of babies lost at or soon after birth.

Miscarriage is a common experience, it is estimated that one in six confirmed pregnancies ends in miscarriage and this can be devastating for the people affected.

As a large employer within West Lancashire, West Lancashire Borough Council is in a position to help employees affected by pregnancy loss. As an organisation that exists to serve the people of West Lancashire, it is also in a position to deal supportively with residents who have experienced miscarriage and baby loss.

That the Chief Executive be asked to ensure that:

•  Managers have the correct training to help employees who miscarry or who have suffered a loss.

•  Managers have good quality resources on miscarriage and baby loss in the workplace, such as the Miscarriage Association's 'Miscarriage and the Workplace' leaflet.

•   Frontline staff have training and resources to help understand the needs of residents in West Lancashire affected by miscarriage and baby loss and to be able to recognise the affect it can have on long term mental health. 

•  All employees have access to good quality information about miscarriage and baby loss.

•  Miscarriage and baby loss is dealt with sensitively and supportively at all times.

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"This year, Baby Loss Awareness Week called for improved bereavement support for families affected by baby and pregnancy loss. Baby Loss Awareness Week is held annually from 9 to 15 October and is a special opportunity to mark the loss of pregnancies and the brief lives of babies lost at or soon after birth.

Miscarriage is a common experience, it is estimated that one in six confirmed pregnancies ends in miscarriage and this can be devastating for the people affected.

As a large employer within West Lancashire, West Lancashire Borough Council is in a position to help employees affected by pregnancy loss. As an organisation that exists to serve the people of West Lancashire, it is also in a position to deal supportively with residents who have experienced miscarriage and baby loss.

That the Chief Executive be asked to ensure that:

•  Managers have the correct training to help employees who miscarry or who have suffered a loss.

•  Managers have good quality resources on miscarriage and baby loss in the workplace, such as the Miscarriage Association's 'Miscarriage and the Workplace' leaflet.

•   Frontline staff have training and resources to help understand the needs of residents in West Lancashire affected by miscarriage and baby loss and to be able to recognise the affect it can have on long term mental health. 

•  All employees have access to good quality information about miscarriage and baby loss.

•  Miscarriage and baby loss is dealt with sensitively and supportively at all times."

RESOLVED: That the Chief Executive be asked to ensure that:

A.    Managers have the correct training to help employees who miscarry or who have suffered a loss.

B.    Managers have good quality resources on miscarriage and baby loss in the workplace, such as the Miscarriage Association's 'Miscarriage and the Workplace' leaflet.

C.    Frontline staff have training and resources to help understand the needs of residents in West Lancashire affected by miscarriage and baby loss and to be able to recognise the affect it can have on long term mental health. 

D.    All employees have access to good quality information about miscarriage and baby loss.

E.    Miscarriage and baby loss is dealt with sensitively and supportively at all times.

Sprinklers are the most effective way to ensure that fires are suppressed or even extinguished before the fire service can arrive. They save lives and reduce injuries, protect firefighters who attend incidents and reduce the amount of damage to both property and the environment from fire.

Evidence indicates that sprinkler systems operate on 94% of occasions, demonstrating very high reliability. Furthermore, it is evident that when they operate they extinguish or contain a fire on 99% of occasions and are thus very effective. The research also found that in both converted and purpose built flats, sprinklers are 100% effective in controlling fires.

That this Council recognise that sprinklers are an effective part of the overall fire safety solution and can be used efficiently to improve fire safety in a range of new and existing buildings and recommend that the Government legislate for the retro-fitting of sprinklers into high-rise buildings and to install sprinklers in all new schools and major school extensions.

That the Chief Executive be asked to write to the Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, Nick Hurd MP, requesting that he puts these proposals to the House at his earliest convenience and that when this act is passed, that it is called the 'Grenfell Act' in memory of the many lives lost in this disaster.

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"Sprinklers are the most effective way to ensure that fires are suppressed or even extinguished before the fire service can arrive. They save lives and reduce injuries, protect firefighters who attend incidents and reduce the amount of damage to both property and the environment from fire.

Evidence indicates that sprinkler systems operate on 94% of occasions, demonstrating very high reliability. Furthermore, it is evident that when they operate they extinguish or contain a fire on 99% of occasions and are thus very effective. The research also found that in both converted and purpose built flats, sprinklers are 100% effective in controlling fires.

That this Council recognise that sprinklers are an effective part of the overall fire safety solution and can be used efficiently to improve fire safety in a range of new and existing buildings and recommend that the Government legislate for the retro-fitting of sprinklers into high-rise buildings and to install sprinklers in all new schools and major school extensions.

That the Chief Executive be asked to write to the Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, Nick Hurd MP, requesting that he puts these proposals to the House at his earliest convenience and that when this act is passed, that it is called the 'Grenfell Act' in memory of the many lives lost in this disaster."

RESOLVED:   A.   That this Council recognises that sprinklers are an effective part of the overall fire safety solution and can be used efficiently to improve fire safety in a range of new and existing buildings and recommend that the Government legislate for the retro-fitting of sprinklers into high-rise buildings and to install sprinklers in all new schools and major school extensions.

B.   That the Chief Executive be asked to write to the Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, Nick Hurd MP, requesting that he puts these proposals to the House at his earliest convenience and that when this act is passed, that it is called the 'Grenfell Act' in memory of the many lives lost in this disaster.

That this Council notes that Universal Credit, the single monthly payment which replaces the six current working age benefits, is to be fully implemented in West Lancashire in December and that within our area this is likely to affect many of our residents.

That West Lancashire Borough Council notes with concern that the move to a Full Service Universal Credit in other parts of the Country has caused considerable financial hardship for many of those people moving onto this new system of benefit payments. Despite some changes in the recent budget, before a full role out of Universal Credit, the following problems need to be addressed: 

·       The five week wait for claimants to receive their benefits. The idea that all workers are in jobs where they are paid a month in arrears ignores the reality for the 1.5m workers who struggle on zero hours, insecure jobs or forced self-employment. Claimants need to be paid from day one.

·       Payments going to one named member of a household. Many claimants struggle to budget and payments should be paid to the separate claimants within a household and on a fortnightly rather than monthly basis. With the present policy there is a real danger that if the whole benefit goes to one named individual there is no guarantee that the money will be distributed fairly within the household

·       An end to benefit sanctions as there is no evidence that sanctioning helps people into work. In fact taking away claimant’s ability to feed themselves and their families prevents them from focusing on finding employment as they are too busy trying to survive. The evidence of the harm that sanctions cause is growing – they are an unnecessary cruelty in our benefits system.  A claimant should not be sanctioned if the reason for any absence of lateness is proven and justifiable.

·       Allow all new claimants to apply for Universal credit in jobs centres with the support of trained job centre staff. Forcing new claimants to apply on-line causes real problems for many people who don’t have either access or the IT skills to cope with the complex online application.  The planned job centre closures also needs to be reversed as claimants need face to face support to help them back into work and to deal with the complexity of Universal Credit.

·       Greater resource should be given to libraries, Citizens Advice and Jobcentres to allow trained persons to be present at these facilities to assist with applications.

·       Abandon the in-work conditionality for part-time or low paid workers – the idea that there are extra hours or higher paid work for the large numbers of these affected workers is simply not the case. This clause of UC places the emphasis on individuals who often want greater number of hours of work – and not on the employers who benefit from short hours and insecurity. 

That this Council notes with concern, that the implementation of a Full Service Universal Credit in the Borough is likely to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 79.

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"That this Council notes that Universal Credit, the single monthly payment which replaces the six current working age benefits, is to be fully implemented in West Lancashire in December and that within our area this is likely to affect many of our residents.

That West Lancashire Borough Council notes with concern that the move to a Full Service Universal Credit in other parts of the Country has caused considerable financial hardship for many of those people moving onto this new system of benefit payments. Despite some changes in the recent budget, before a full role out of Universal Credit, the following problems need to be addressed: 

·       The five week wait for claimants to receive their benefits. The idea that all workers are in jobs where they are paid a month in arrears ignores the reality for the 1.5m workers who struggle on zero hours, insecure jobs or forced self-employment. Claimants need to be paid from day one.

·       Payments going to one named member of a household. Many claimants struggle to budget and payments should be paid to the separate claimants within a household and on a fortnightly rather than monthly basis. With the present policy there is a real danger that if the whole benefit goes to one named individual there is no guarantee that the money will be distributed fairly within the household.

·       An end to benefit sanctions as there is no evidence that sanctioning helps people into work. In fact taking away claimant’s ability to feed themselves and their families prevents them from focusing on finding employment as they are too busy trying to survive. The evidence of the harm that sanctions cause is growing – they are an unnecessary cruelty in our benefits system.  A claimant should not be sanctioned if the reason for any absence of lateness is proven and justifiable.

·       Allow all new claimants to apply for Universal credit in jobs centres with the support of trained job centre staff. Forcing new claimants to apply on-line causes real problems for many people who don’t have either access or the IT skills to cope with the complex online application.  The planned job centre closures also needs to be reversed as claimants need face to face support to help them back into work and to deal with the complexity of Universal Credit.

·       Greater resource should be given to libraries, Citizens Advice and Jobcentres to allow trained persons to be present at these facilities to assist with applications.

·       Abandon the in-work conditionality for part-time or low paid workers – the idea that there are extra hours or higher paid work for the large numbers of these affected workers is simply not the case. This clause of UC places the emphasis on individuals who often want greater number of hours of work – and not on the employers who benefit from short hours and insecurity. 

That this Council notes with concern, that the implementation of a Full Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.