Agenda item

5.1 MOTION ONE Proposed by Councillor Sheron Wilkie

Cost of Living Crisis           

The survey conducted by Landman Economics for the TUC was widely reported in November. Highlights from the survey show:

Key worker poverty “is rampant”

The analysis reveals that child poverty “is rampant” in key worker households. In addition to care staff:

·         Nearly a tenth (9.4%) of kids with nurses as parents are living below the breadline. This represents over 70,000 children.

·         1 in 9 (10.8%) children with teaching staff as parents are growing up in poverty. This represents around 100,000 children.

·         1 in 8 (11.8 %) kids of local government workers are growing up in poverty. This represents over 220,000 children.

·         1 in 4 (25%) children with public transport workers as parents have kids growing up in poverty. This represents 50,000 children.

·         It is estimated that 1 in 5 (19%) key worker households have children living in poverty.

With this context, this Council:

A.    Notes with concern there is evidence to demonstrate that local children are going hungry while families are affected by the current Cost of Living Crisis.

B.    Therefore urges Officers of the Council to work with the Voluntary and Community Sectors, and local schools, to ensure that all children of school age have access to at least one nutritious meal a day.

In addition,

This Council recognises the work of Council Officers in collaboration with the Voluntary Sector to bring forward proposals to benefit residents of Dacorum and asks that every effort is made on the Council website to clearly signpost residents to the locations of the Warm Spaces, and other information and assistance available from the Council and Voluntary Sector in the current Cost of Living Crisis – this to also include clear non-internet communications for those that need the information.

5.2 MOTION TWO Proposed by Councillor Adrian England

Re-cycling Targets 

This Council notes that Dacorum Council is on track for 60% recycling by 2030 and is currently 4th in Hertfordshire for its recycling percentage.  In order to signal a drive for more and faster progress, this Council asks that the Council sets out an ambitious plan to increase the recycling percentage target by 2% points per year in order to reach the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership 2030 target.

5.3 MOTION THREE Proposed by Councillor Adrian England

Grants for Heat Source Pumps

This Council notes that just 17.8% of the funds available to residents in England and Wales for Heat Source Pump Grants have been claimed in the first three quarters of the life of the scheme.  It is further noted that the value of the Grants, at £5,000 each, would appear to be a deterrent to applicants in England and Wales.

The Council asks the Portfolio Holder to write to the Government to ask for an improved and enhanced scheme which will match the Scotland offer of £7.500 to £9,000 grants together with the availability of a top-up interest free loan of £7,500. 

5.1. MOTION ONE Proposed by Councillor Sheron Wilkie

The survey conducted by Landman Economics for TUC was widely reported in November. Highlights show that key worker poverty is rising, and child poverty has risen in key worker households, with 19% having children living in poverty. 9.4% of children with nurses as parents, over 70,000 children. 10.8% of children with teaching staff as parents, around 100,000 children. 11.8% of children with local government workers as parents, over 220,000 children. 25% of children with public transport workers as parents, 50,000 children. Within this context, this council (a) notes with concern that there is evidence some families are struggling in the current cost of living crisis, (b) acknowledges the extensive support through various government schemes that has benefited some lower-income households, (c) welcomes the largest ever increase in the national living rate wage of 9.7% from April, (d) recognises the work being undertaken by officers of the council with its voluntary and community partners to coordinate a local response to the crisis, (e) recognises that the cost of living project group is leading this activity in Dacorum and working closely with county colleagues, (f) supports the county council to ensure all children of school age have access to at least one nutritious meal a day.

Moved by Cllr Wilkie, seconded by Cllr Williams.

Cllr Harden raised a minor point of etiquette, and wondered if 'kids' could be converted to 'children' throughout. Cllr Wilkie was happy to make this amendment.

Cllr Griffiths noted that the issue is not just a public services one.

Cllr England noted that nurses, ambulance workers, train workers, and retail workers should be paid properly, and the cost of living crisis is a result of not doing so.

Cllr Peter suggested an amendment from 'poverty' to 'relative poverty' to keep things in perspective, and suggested not doing so was disrespectful to less fortunate individuals in second, third, and fourth-world countries. Cllr Barry-Mears noted that the UK has seen the death of a child from mould, and objected to the suggested amendment.

Cllr Williams noted that food banks are not new, and the support given by the government over the past 2.5 years has impacted national finances, leading to difficult decisions about where what money there is, is spent. Cllr Freedman agreed that food banks are not new, but noted that in-work poverty is.

Cllr Wilkie summarised that the figures are appalling and no one is happy about them, which is why everyone is there.

Motion carried unanimously.

5.2 MOTION TWO Proposed by Councillor Adrian England

This council notes that Dacorum council is on track for 60% recycling by 2030, which is 4th in Hertfordshire. This council asks the council to set out an ambitious plan to increase the recycling percentage target by 2% each year to reach the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership target for 2030.

Moved by Cllr England, seconded by Cllr Freedman.

Cllr England noted a drafting error, and Cllr Tindall made a proposal to amend the motion wording, 'Hertfordshire Waste Partnership target for 2030' to be amended to 'Central Government target for 2035.'

Moved by Cllr Tindall, seconded by Cllr Freedman.

The Chair asked for those wishing to speak to the amended motion.

Cllr Barrett noted that DBC has had the fastest growing recycling rates in Hertfordshire over the last decade, and rates are expected to continue to improve through engagement and events. As government is currently proposing changes to the Environmental Act 2021, which could require a major redesign of waste collection services, and the borough doesn't have a 2035 target, which would need to be moved through council under the normal process, it was suggested that it was not appropriate to consider the motion as amended. Cllr Harden agreed that if the council was on track for its 2030 target, the need for the motion seemed unclear.

Cllr England explained that in council in November a reference was made to a 65% recycling target, which was believed at the time to be a Hertfordshire Waste Partnership target, and was used in the draft of the motion at question. However, further research found only a 65% target from central government, the link to which has been circulated. It was noted that the amendment was to clarify which target was being considered for adoption. Cllr Freedman agreed that the function of the motion was not being changed, only the reference to the target's origin, and why it was felt to be achievable. It was reiterated that DBC would only be committed to an increased target for 2030.

Cllr Douris interrupted with a point of order, and requested the entirety of the actual proposed motion be read.

The Chair put the motion to approve the amendment to vote. Motion failed, with 16 votes in favour, 28 votes against, and 1 abstention.

The Chair asked for those wishing to speak to the original motion.

Cllr Wilkie noted that the motion recognises what has been achieved, and that ambition is still needed. Cllr Williams objected that the motion merely reiterated council policy. A point of order was raised, and it was noted that making personal remarks is not appropriate. Cllr Barry-Mears noted that the amendment was for the target to be adjusted, and therefore wouldn't have been a reiteration.

Cllr Stevens noted that evidence showed the recycling rate had stalled around 52% in the past few years, and the proposal was to set up a trajectory to reach 60% or 65%, as while a policy might exist, progress was not being made, so the motion was to reinforce the message. Cllr England apologised for the confusion, and agreed that progress had stalled and no longer seemed sufficient to reach 60% by 2030.

The Chair put the original motion to vote. Motion failed, with 15 votes in favour, 27 votes against, and 2 abstentions.

5.3 MOTION THREE Proposed by Councillor Adrian England

This council notes that just 17.8% of the funds available to residents in England and Wales for heat pump source grants have been claimed in the first three quarters of the life of the scheme. It is further noted that the value of the grants, at £5,000 each, would appear to be a deterrent to applicants in England and Wales. The council asks the portfolio holder to write to the government to ask for an improved and enhanced scheme, which will match the Scotland offer of £7,500 to £9,000 grants.

Moved by Cllr England, seconded by Cllr Williams.

Cllr Stevens noted that it was an opportunity to reaffirm a commitment to cutting carbon emissions, and referred to a retrofit academy initiative in Manchester, sponsored by the building industry, suggesting that the borough may wish to take a similar lead on developing potential in this area.

Cllr Williams noted that grant availability might not be holding people back, but that bigger grants may make people move forward, despite varying experiences of heat pump efficiency.

Cllr England noted that the UK has historically lagged behind heat pump adoption compared to other countries, and that policy will play a crucial role in accelerating UK heat pump progress. In addition, the flagship boiler upgrade scheme has just over two years left to achieve its target, but only 17.81% of its year one funding has been spent after nine months, indicating a raise in public profile is needed, perhaps using similar methods as those used to promote the Green Homes grant. Cllr England noted that, by agreement, the interest free loan has been removed from the motion.

Motion carried unanimously