Decision

This Council Notes:
 
1.           
That child poverty is rising across Warwickshire, with thousands of
children growing up in households that cannot afford basic
necessities such as healthy food, warm clothing, and stable
housing.
 
2.           
That the continuing cost-of-living crisis, high housing costs, and
pressures on local services are deepening inequalities and forcing
many working families into hardship.
 
3.           
That the Council needs to provide sufficient targeted support for
children and families across Warwickshire.
 
4.           
That tackling child poverty is not just a moral obligation but a
social and economic necessity - as childhood disadvantage leads to
poorer health, lower educational attainment, and reduced life
chances.
 
This Council Believes:
 
1.           
That no child in Warwickshire should be left behind because of the
circumstances of their birth or family income.
 
2.           
That local government has both the power and responsibility to take
action, even when national policies fall short.
 
3.           
That in order to speed up progress requires a joined-up,
cross-sector approach bringing closer together education, health,
housing, social care, and the voluntary sector.
4.           
That investment in children and families now prevents far greater
social and financial costs in the future.
 
This Council Resolves To:
 
1.           
Ask for a report to be brought to Children and Young People
Overview and Scrutiny Committee, by Q2?2026,?with?a draft
Warwickshire Child Poverty Reduction Strategy (2026–2030) -
setting out a performance framework for reducing child poverty and
improving Free School Meal uptake, subject to legal and equalities
compliance and statutory consultation as required.
 
2.           
Request the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer to advise
on governance and funding routes for establishing a cross-party
Child Poverty Commission, involving councillors, officers, schools,
health partners, and voluntary groups, and for the commission to
report to Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee
with proposals prior to seeking any required decisions from
Cabinet.
 
3.           
Ask officers to scope and pilot a Child Poverty Impact Assessment
framework for major budget proposals and capital projects, and
report to Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee
with the outcomes and future proposals following the conclusion of
the pilot.