The Motion, as printed in the Agenda, was proposed by Councillor Worrall and seconded by Councillor Kerin. The Motion read as follows:

“Thurrock Council are concerned over implications for tenants and housing stock of the Conservative government's Emergency Budget's housing measures:

·         Housing Benefit withdrawn for 18–21 year olds;

·         Housing Benefit/ Local Housing Allowance (LHA) frozen for five years;

·         Tax Credits and Housing Benefit/LHA include only first two children in households born after April 2017;

·         Market rents charged in social housing where incomes are £30,000, additional rent receipts go to Treasury not Housing Revenue Account or Council.

The impact will increase poverty, homelessness and numbers at risk of being homeless, amongst young and very low income families.

For individual tenants who have faced significant above inflation rent increases and falling incomes over the last few years, the Budget proposal to cut social sector rents by 1% for the next four years will be welcome.

That a 1% rent cut will mean loss of rental income to Housing Revenue Account of £18.75 million by 2019/2020, that loss will have significant consequences for Council's plans to build new homes, maintain and refurbish existing stock of homes.

The Council resolves to write to the two MPs for Thurrock to lay out concerns and to highlight the impact on Thurrock residents of these measures in Westminster.”

Councillor Worrall introduced the motion, and in doing so she expressed that she felt that this was an attack on young people who wanted to move out of the family home and be independent.

She continued to explain that the impact of the Governments’ Emergency Budget Housing measures would increase poverty, homelessness and the 1% rent cut would mean loss to the Housing Revenue Account of 18.75 Million by 2019/2020.

Councillor Snell commented that he did not agree with the first part of the Motion, as he felt that young people should go out and work for a living; however he did agree with the second half and for that reason he would be supporting the Motion.

Councillor J. Kent felt that if housing benefit was withdrawn from 18-21 year olds this would prevent them from gaining independence and moving away from home. He further explained that it was all well and good people getting better employment and better homes, however with the suggested cuts repairs this would take longer to achieve.

Councillor Gledhill stated that he would not be supporting the Motion and agreed with the sentiments raised by Councillor Snell. He further observed that it was not a case of continually spending, however it important to spend wisely.

Councillor Kerin stated that he supported the Motion. He advised Members that he felt the situation would enable a cap on ambition and success for young people and would take away the incentive for promotion.

The result of the recorded vote in respect of Councillor Worrall’s Motion was as follows:

Votes in Favour of the Motion:

Councillors Sue Gray (Mayor), Cathy Kent (Deputy Mayor), Tim Aker

Chris Baker, James Baker, Jan Baker, Clare Baldwin, Colin Churchman, Leslie Gamester, Oliver Gerrish, Yash Gupta (MBE),Graham Hamilton, Terry Hipsey ,Cliff Holloway, Victoria Holloway, Roy Jones, John Kent ,Martin Kerin,

Steve Liddiard, Bukky Okunade, Jane Pothecary, Barbara Rice, Gerard Rice, Peter Smith, Graham Snell, Richard Speight, Kevin Wheeler and Lynn Worrall (28)

Votes against the Motion:

Councillors  Mark Coxshall, Robert Gledhill, Garry Hague, James Halden, Shane Hebb, Barry Johnson, Tom Kelly, Charlie Key, Brian Little, Susan Little, Sue MacPherson, Ben Maney, Tunde Ojetola, Robert Ray, Joy Redsell, Andrew Roast, Deborah Stewart and Pauline Tolson (18)

Abstentions:

Councillor Russell Cherry (1)

RESOLVED:

Thurrock Council are concerned over implications for tenants and housing stock of the Conservative government's Emergency Budget's housing measures:

·         Housing Benefit withdrawn for 18–21 year olds;

·         Housing Benefit/ Local Housing Allowance (LHA) frozen for five years;

·         Tax Credits and Housing Benefit/LHA include only first two children in households born after April 2017;

·         Market rents charged in social housing where incomes are £30,000, additional rent receipts go to Treasury not Housing Revenue Account or Council.

The impact will increase poverty, homelessness and numbers at risk of being homeless, amongst young and very low income families.

For individual tenants who have faced significant above inflation rent increases and falling incomes over the last few years, the Budget proposal to cut social sector rents by 1% for the next four years will be welcome.

That a 1% rent cut will mean loss of rental income to Housing Revenue Account of £18.75 million by 2019/2020, that loss will have significant consequences for Council's plans to build new homes, maintain and refurbish existing stock of homes.

The Council resolves to write to the two MPs for Thurrock to lay out concerns and to highlight the impact on Thurrock residents of these measures in Westminster.