Agenda item

The required notice has been given to the Chief Executive of a motion set out in full on the agenda papers enclosed, to be proposed by Councillor Dant and seconded by Councillors Wood and Young.

A briefing note is included at the end the motion.

Councillor Dant proposed the following motion having given the required notice to the Chief Executive in accordance with the Council’s Constitution:-

“This Council believes that everyone in society should be able to afford the basics. No one should be left in destitution or forced to use a foodbank and so, this Council resolves:

(1)   To join the network of UBI Labs and seek Government support for a UBI pilot study in the District.

(2)   That the Chief Executive write on behalf of Lancaster City Council to: the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Prime Minister, and the leaders of all political parties in parliament, all Lancaster MPs, and to Lancashire County Council saying the following:

a)    That the current benefit system, in particular Universal Credit, is failing Lancaster District citizens and causing serious financial hardship and debt;

b)    The Covid-19 crisis has increased the numbers of people facing poverty4 which, without adequate government support for local communities, will continue to increase.

c)     Given its history of social innovation, wealth of expertise, and active networks across community, business and public services, Lancaster is ideally placed to pilot a UBI.

d)    The success of a UBI pilot should not be measured only by impact upon take-up of paid work, but also the impact upon communities and what the people within them do, how they feel, and how they relate to others and the environment around them.”

Councillor Wood seconded the motion, which had been accompanied by a briefing note on the agenda.

Councillor Dant responded to questions and debate followed.

At the conclusion of the debate it was necessary to take a roll-call vote. With 37 Members voting ‘for’, 13 voting ‘against’ and 4 abstentions, the motion was clearly carried.

Resolved:-

This Council believes that everyone in society should be able to afford the basics. No one should be left in destitution or forced to use a foodbank and so, this Council resolves:

(1)    To join the network of UBI Labs and seek Government support for a UBI pilot study in the District.

(2)   That the Chief Executive write on behalf of Lancaster City Council to: the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Prime Minister, and the leaders of all political parties in parliament, all Lancaster MPs, and to Lancashire County Council saying the following:

a)    That the current benefit system, in particular Universal Credit, is failing Lancaster District citizens and causing serious financial hardship and debt;

b)    The Covid-19 crisis has increased the numbers of people facing poverty4 which, without adequate government support for local communities, will continue to increase.

c)     Given its history of social innovation, wealth of expertise, and active networks across community, business and public services, Lancaster is ideally placed to pilot a UBI.

d)    The success of a UBI pilot should not be measured only by impact upon take-up of paid work, but also the impact upon communities and what the people within them do, how they feel, and how they relate to others and the environment around them.

The meeting adjourned at 8.20pm in accordance with the Constitution, reconvening at 8.30pm.