Agenda item

With reference to Article 9 of the minute of its meeting of 21 June 2017, the Council had before it a report by the Interim Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided an update on Welfare Reform.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)          note the update on Welfare Reform including the current position regarding Universal Credit and the Scottish Welfare Fund; and

(b)          note the information regarding the Social Security (Scotland) Bill being considered by the Scottish Parliament currently and this would be monitored by officers and the Welfare Matters Programme Board with further reports on this and devolved social security powers being provided as appropriate for future committees.

Councillor Lumsden moved, seconded by Councillor Graham:-

            That the Council -

(1)      approve the recommendations contained within the report;

(2)      instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions forwarding a copy of the report and the Council’s anti-poverty strategy “towards a fairer Aberdeen that prospers for all” seeking clarity from the Secretary of State on how best the Council can help the most vulnerable in society who are struggling as a result of Welfare Reform;

(3)      agree that the introduction of the 2016 Scotland Act provides the Scottish Government with wide ranging powers in relation to devolved welfare benefits;

(4)      note with huge disappointment that the SNP Government has asked the UK Government to retain control over certain benefits until 2020, effectively delaying the full transfer of welfare powers; and

(5)      instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Government’s Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman forwarding a copy of the report and the Council’s anti-poverty strategy “towards a fairer Aberdeen that prospers for all” seeking clarity from the Minister around points 3.3.3, 3.4.3 and 3.4.4 in the report, specifically around what mitigation and help, if any, the Scottish Government intend to provide to claimants now that the Scottish Government has devolved powers over Welfare Reform.

Councillor Jackie Dunbar moved as an amendment, seconded by Nicoll:-

            That the Council -

(1)      approve the recommendations contained within the report; and

(2)      agree that due to the beneficiaries having to wait a minimum of six weeks for their first Universal Credit Payment, that this Council gives them assurances that (a) while their application is being processed that this Council will not actively pursue them for any rent or Council Tax arrears; and (b) instead the Council will use this time to actively support them and work with them to put in place manageable measures to address those arrears.

Councillor Yuill moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Greig:-

That the Council approve a combined version of the motion and the amendment.

During the course of summing up, Councillor Lumsden agreed to incorporate Councillor Jackie Dunbar’s amendment into his motion. As a result, Councillor Yuill agreed to withdraw his amendment.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (26)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Bell, Boulton, Delaney, Lesley Dunbar, Duncan, Graham, Grant, Greig, Houghton, Hunt, Imrie, John, Laing, Lumsden, Macdonald, Avril MacKenzie, Malik, Mason MSP, Reynolds, Sellar, Jennifer Stewart, Wheeler and Yuill.

For the amendment by Councillor Jackie Dunbar  (18)  -  Councillors Allard, Alphonse, Cameron, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Jackie Dunbar, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, Catriona MacKenzie, McLellan, McRae, Nicoll, Samarai, Sandy Stuart and Townson.

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Flynn.

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion as follows:-

(i)           to approve the recommendations contained within the report;

(ii)          to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions forwarding a copy of the report and the Council’s anti-poverty strategy “towards a fairer Aberdeen that prospers for all” seeking clarity from the Secretary of State on how best the Council can help the most vulnerable in society who are struggling as a result of Welfare Reform;

(iii)         to agree that the introduction of the 2016 Scotland Act provides the Scottish Government with wide ranging powers in relation to devolved welfare benefits;

(iv)         to note with huge disappointment that the SNP Government has asked the UK Government to retain control over certain benefits until 2020, effectively delaying the full transfer of welfare powers;

(v)          to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Government’s Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman forwarding a copy of the report and the Council’s anti-poverty strategy “towards a fairer Aberdeen that prospers for all” seeking clarity from the Minister around points 3.3.3, 3.4.3 and 3.4.4 in the report, specifically around what mitigation and help, if any, the Scottish Government intend to provide to claimants now that the Scottish Government has devolved powers over Welfare Reform; and

(vi)         to agree that due to the beneficiaries having to wait a minimum of six weeks for their first Universal Credit Payment, that this Council gives them assurances that (a) while their application is being processed that this Council will not actively pursue them for any rent or Council Tax arrears; and (b) instead the Council will use this time to actively support them and work with them to put in place manageable measures to address those arrears.