Agenda item

Notice of Administration Business

(time limit 30 minutes)

 

Motion 1

Universal Credit

Councillor Jabbar to MOVE and Councillor Judd to SECOND

This council notes with great concern the recent reports from the United Nations on extreme poverty and human rights in the UK, and from the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the unequal (and possibly illegal) impact of government cuts. The UN highlighted a number of issues that we as Oldhamers know through experience, including that:

·         “Local authorities …which perform vital roles in providing a real social safety net have been gutted by a series of government policies.”

·         “As a result of changes to taxes, benefits, and public spending from 2010 through 2020, Black and Asian households in the lowest fifth of incomes will experience the largest average drop in living standards, about 20%.”

·         “Another 1.5 million more children will fall into poverty between 2010 and 2021/22 as a result of the changes to benefits and taxes, a 10% increase”.

·         “The experience of the United Kingdom, especially since 2010, underscores the conclusion that poverty is a political choice.”

Universal Credit, introduced by the Coalition Government, is at the heart of the misery inflicted upon so many in our communities. While the government stoically insists on a punitive five week wait time before receiving any benefits, the Peabody Trust estimates that more than 100,000 children are at risk in households struggling with this wait over Christmas. The government’s solution – advance loans for those able to prove they can’t afford to eat – only serves to extend the hardship with one in three claimants losing up to 40% of their monthly income to repay these debts.

Government welfare reform policy has increased the overall level of deprivation in Oldham and resulted in 40.66% of our children living in poverty.

The latest Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and fifth in a little over two years, has acknowledged the “real problems” with Universal Credit and promised a root-and-branch review. To this end, this council resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, inviting her to:

1.    Visit Oldham as part of her review, to learn from councillors, officers and residents about the effects of her government’s policies since the borough became a pathfinder for Universal Credit in 2013.

2.    Eliminate the five week delay in receiving benefits, as recommended by the UN, or at least reduce it to two weeks, as recommended by the Peabody Trust.

3.    Review the effectiveness of the ‘digital by default’ approach to managing and maintaining Universal Credit claims for vulnerable residents

4.    End on-going austerity measures such as the benefit freeze to working age benefits which are set to continue until 2020

 

 

 

Motion 2

Gender Based Violence

Councillor Ur-Rehman to MOVE and Councillor Stretton to SECOND:

This council notes that Monday 10th December was Human Rights Day, marking the end of an international 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The campaign aims to shine a light on the scale of gender-based violence that continues to blight our society.

Gender-based violence remains an issue of fundamental importance affecting Oldham residents, with signs that the challenge is growing. Across Greater Manchester, reported sexual offences increased by 44% between 2016 and 2017 to over 9,000, and 27 women were murdered by their partners. Over 6,000 incidents of domestic violence and abuse are reported to the police each year in Oldham alone.

In addition to action taken by the police to prosecute offenders, there are a range of services concerned with supporting survivors and addressing the behaviour of perpetrators including:

  • Referral to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub to assess the support needs of survivors and their families;
  • Refuge provision to provide emergency accommodation and support;
  • Four Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) working with survivors and a Greater Manchester team of three specialist IDVAs, based in Oldham, who support survivors of so-called “honour-based” violence – such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation
  • The REFRAME programme to challenge the behaviour of perpetrators of domestic violence;
  • Work of voluntary and community groups such as Inspire Women Oldham which involve survivors of violence and abuse.

This council resolves to:

1.    Produce a comprehensive action plan with its partners to marshal the resources and influence of Oldham Council and the community to tackle gender-based violence in the borough, working towards a White Ribbon Award.

2.    Commit to raising awareness of the scale of gender-based violence, and the resources and services available to residents.

3.    Expand our work with community groups and those with experience of gender-based violence, putting them at the heart of solutions, in line with this year’s 16 days of activism theme, #HearMeToo.

 

 

Motion 3

Suffrage and Peterloo

Councillor Roberts to MOVE and Councillor Chadderton to SECOND:

In 2018 Oldham has celebrated the centenary of women’s parliamentary suffrage and the 90th anniversary of universal adult suffrage.

This Council welcomes the installation of Annie Kenney’s statue in Parliament Square and the unveiling on the 14th December 2018, the anniversary of the first general election when women could stand as candidates and vote.

This Council recognises that the struggle for equality and the right to vote was long and hard fought. We reaffirm our commitment to commemorating the Peterloo Massacre of 16th August 1819 as a significant contribution to the struggle.

This Council resolves to

  1. Thank everyone who has contributed to commemorative and celebratory activities, events and everyone who has helped to raise the money to pay for Annie Kenney’s statue
  2. To invite Oldham residents and community organisations to join with the Council in commemorating Peterloo and the fight for equal rights

Minutes:

Motion 1 – Universal Credit

 

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Judd SECONDED the following MOTION:

 

“This council notes with great concern the recent reports from the United Nations on extreme poverty and human rights in the UK, and from the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the unequal (and possibly illegal) impact of government cuts.  The UN highlighted a number of issues that we as Oldhamers know through experience, including that:

·         ‘Local authorities … which perform vital roles in providing a real social safety net have been gutted by a series of government policies’

·         ‘As a result of changes to taxes, benefits and public spending from 2010 through 2020, Black and Asian households in the lowest fifth of incomes will experience the largest average drop in living standards, about 20%’

·         ‘Another 1.5 million more children will fall into poverty between 2010 and 2021/22 as a result of the changes to benefits and taxes, a 10% increase.’

·         ‘The experience of the United Kingdom, especially since 2010, underscores the conclusion that poverty is a political choice.’

Universal Credit, introduced by the Coalition Government, is at the heart of the misery inflicted upon so many of our communities.  While the government stoically insists on a punitive five week wait time before receiving any benefits, the Peabody Trust estimates that more than 100,000 children are a risk in households struggling with this wait over Christmas.  The government’s solution – advance loans for those able to prove they can’t afford to eat – only serves to extend the hardship with one in three claimants losing up to 40% of their monthly income to repay these debts.

Government welfare reform policy has increased the overall level of deprivation in Oldham and resulted in 40.66% of our children living in poverty.

The latest Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and fifth in a little over two years, has acknowledged the ‘real problems’ with Universal Credit and promised a root-and-branch review.  To this end, this council resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, inviting her to:

1.    Visit Oldham as part of her review, to learn from councillors, officers and residents about the effects of her government’s policies since the borough became a pathfinder for Universal Credit in 2013.

2.    Eliminate the five week delay in receiving benefits, as recommended by the UN, or at least reduce it to two weeks, as recommended by the Peabody Trust.

3.    Review the effectiveness of the ‘digital by default’ approach to managing and maintaining Universal Credit claims for vulnerable residents.

4.    End on-going austerity measures such as the benefit freeze to working age benefits which are set to continue until 2020

 

Councillor Harkness spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Sykes spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Ball spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor P. Jacques spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Ahmad spoke in support of the Motion.

 

Councillor Jabbar exercised his right of reply.

 

On being put to the vote, 48 votes were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION and 0 votes were cast AGAINST with 3 ABSTENTIONS.  The MOTION was therefore CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that the Chief Executive be instructed to write to the Rt. Hon. Amber Rudd MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, inviting her to:

1.              Visit Oldham as part of her review, to learn from councillors, officers and residents about the effects of her government’s policies since the borough became a pathfinder for Universal Credit in 2013.

2.              Eliminate the five week delay in receiving benefits, as recommended by the UN, or at least reduce it to two weeks, as recommended by the Peabody Trust.

3.              Review the effectiveness of the ‘digital by default’ approach to managing and maintaining Universal Credit claims for vulnerable residents.

4.              End on-going austerity measures such as the benefit freeze to working age benefits which are set to continue until 2020.

 

Motion 2 – Gender Based Violence

 

Councillor Ur-Rehman MOVED and Councillor Stretton SECONDED the following MOTION:

 

“This council notes that Monday 10th December was Human Rights Day, marking the end of an international 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.  The campaign aims to shine a light on the scale of gender-based violence that continues to blight our society.

Gender-based violence remains an issue of fundamental importance affecting Oldham residents, with signs that the challenge is growing.  Across Greater Manchester, reported sexual offences increased by 44% between 2016 and 2017 to over 9,000, and 27 women were murdered by their partners.  Over 6,000 incidents of domestic violence and abuse are reported to the police each year in Oldham alone.

In addition to action taken by the police to prosecute offenders, there are a range of services concerned with supporting survivors and addressing the behaviour of perpetrators including:

·         Referral to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub to assess the support needs of survivors and their families;

·         Refuge provision to provide emergency accommodation and support;

·         Four Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs), working with survivors and a Greater Manchester team of three specialist IDVAs, based in Oldham, who support survivors of so-called ‘honour-based’ violence – such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation

·         The REFRAME programme to challenge the behaviour of perpetrators of domestic violence;

·         Work of voluntary and community groups such as Inspire Women Oldham which involve survivors of violence and abuse.

This council resolves to:

1.    Produce a comprehensive action plan with its partners to marshal the resources and influence of Oldham Council and the community to tackle gender-based violence in the borough, working towards a White Ribbon Award.

2.    Commit to raising awareness of the scale of gender-based violence, and the resources and services available to residents.

3.    Expand our work with community groups and those with experience of gender-based violence, putting them at the heart of solutions, in line with this year’s 16 days of activism theme, #HearMeToo.”

 

At this point in the meeting, the Mayor advised that the time limit for this item had expired.

 

On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1.         A comprehensive action plan be produced by the Council and its partners to marshal the resources and influence of Oldham Council and the community to tackle gender-based violence in the borough, working towards a White Ribbon Award.

2.         To commit to raising awareness of the scale of gender-based violence, and the resources and services available to residents.

3.         The work with community groups and those with experience of gender-based violence be expanded putting them at the heart of solutions, in line with this year’s 16 days of activism them, #HearMeToo.

 

Motion 3 – Suffrage and Peterloo

 

The Mayor informed the meeting that the time limit for this item had expired and Councillor Roberts as Mover of the Motion and Councillor Chadderton as Seconder of the Motion requested the following motion be rolled over for discussion at the next Council meeting.

 

“In 2018 Oldham has celebrated the centenary of women’s parliamentary suffrage and the 90th anniversary of universal adult suffrage.

This Council welcomes the installation of Annie Kenney’s statue in Parliament Square and the unveiling on the 14th December 2018, the anniversary of the first general election when women could stand as candidates and vote.

This Council recognises that the struggle for equality and the right to vote was long and hard fought.  We reaffirm our commitment to commemorating the Peterloo Massacre of 16th August 1819 as a significant contribution to the struggle.

This Council resolves to:

1.    Thank everyone who has contributed to commemorative and celebratory activities, events and everyone who has helped to raise the money to pay for Annie Kenney’s statue.

2.    To invite Oldham residents and community organisations to join with the Council in commemorating Peterloo and the fight for equal rights.”

 

RESOLVED that the Motion be rolled over to the Council meeting to be held on 20th March 2019.