Content

RESOLVED:
1.          
MKCC should voluntarily adopt the “Socio-Economic Duty”
for incorporation into the Council’s policies and processes
relating to equalities, diversity and inclusion.
2.          
That the reduction of poverty in Milton Keynes be made an
overarching priority of the Council, and that a strategy be
produced to provide clear goals, with clear metrics developed to
monitor progress.
3.          
That the Council establish a suitable forum to bring together the
principal agencies concerned with poverty alleviation in Milton
Keynes, including MKCC, the ICB and the VCSE Sector in a
partnership to ensure that goals and ambitions are defined and
realised collaboratively.
4.           That the recommendations arising
from the 2020 MK Poverty Commission report “Our Children
Deserve Better”, be reviewed, and the report updated for 2024
and subsequently annually.
5.          
That the Council appoint two “Poverty Champions”, one
being an elected member and one a member of the Youth Council, to
champion the Council and its partners’ response to child
poverty in Milton Keynes.
6.          
That the provision of homes available at social rent be afforded a
high priority for the council in the city plan, and for MKCC to use
its influence in the sector to promote to housebuilders and other
bodies the development of homes at a social rent.
7.          
The Committee recommends that the Council continues to prioritise
the retrofitting of older social housing to improve their EPC and
reduce the energy bills of those most in need in our
city.
8.          
That consideration be given to the establishment or funding of a
service to provide financial guidance around benefits and debt and
signposting to sources of other help and advice to alleviate
poverty to residents in need in Milton Keynes.
9.          
That the Council work with the Youth Council and others to promote
a suitable financial awareness programme for young people, covering
for example gambling and debt, to help them avoid getting into
financial difficulties as young adults.
10.        That HM
Government be lobbied to improve the welfare system to provide
benefits that more adequately meet the needs of those receiving
benefits.
11.        That consideration be given to how the
Council can leverage the relationships it has as a market host and
landlord to explore how unsold food might be distributed to local
organisations and people in need.
12.        That the
Council donates redundant IT Equipment to support those unable to
afford to purchase hardware, and continues to develop the library
of things.
13.        That the
Council adopts poverty prevention as a strategic grants priority
for its next round of funding, including youth club provision in
more deprived and newly developed areas.
14.        That the
Council puts on record its appreciation and gratitude to those in
the charitable, voluntary, education and other sectors that provide
such important lifelines to the many families and children living
in poverty in our city.