Meeting Details

Councillor Fortheringham, by virtue of her employment, declared a connection amounting to a declarable interest in respect of item - "Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026 Update - Reduce the Cost of Living", and further advised that she considered the interest so sufficiently remote that it did not preclude her participation in consideration of the matter.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) (1) providing details of the income maximisation work carried out by the Tackling Poverty Team, Council Services and External Services commissioned by the Council during 2023/24 and the income maximisation work carried out for the benefit of North Lanarkshire residents; and (2) providing an update on the continued national programme of Welfare Reform.

Decided:

(1) That the report be approved; and 

(2) That the report be remitted to the Integration Joint Board for information.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) providing an update on the Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026, the Local Child Poverty Action report and associated action plans with a particular focus on reducing the Cost of Living Driver.

Decided: That the update on the Tackling Poverty Driver ‘Reduce the Cost of Living’ be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) providing an update on the Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026, the Local Child Poverty Action report and associated Action Plans with a particular focus on the driver of Increasing Income Via Social Security.

During discussion on this matter, a question was asked in respect of which Officers committed to respond outwith the meeting.

"Could clarification be provided on whether receipt of Universal Credit and would have a negative impact on applications in respect of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) (Paragraph 2.18)" (Councillor Brannan-McVey)

Decided: That the update on the Tackling Driver ‘Increase Income Via Social Security’ be acknowledged.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) (1) providing an update on plans to address Financial Education for children and young people as a key element of the updated Tackling Poverty Strategy, (2) providing an update on the Holistic Driver of the Tackling Poverty Strategy Action Plan, and (3) requesting that a further update be provided to the next meeting of the Committee. 

Decided: That the update of the action in relation to Financial Education be approved.