This council motion comes from Warwickshire Liberal Democrats and calls on the council to establish a strategy, commission and impact assessment to tackle child poverty in the borough.
It is a really straightforward motion getting to the heart of the matter with significant calls to action to prioritise the issue within your council. You can copy and and adapt the template council motion below.
This Council Notes:
- That child poverty is rising across [AREA NAME], with thousands of children growing up in households that cannot afford basic necessities such as healthy food, warm clothing, and stable housing.
- 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.
- That the Council needs to provide sufficient targeted support for children and families across [AREA NAME].
- 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:
- That no child in [AREA NAME] should be left behind because of the circumstances of their birth or family income.
- That local government has both the power and responsibility to take action, even when national policies fall short.
- 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.
- That investment in children and families now prevents far greater social and financial costs in the future.
This Council Resolves To:
- Develop a comprehensive [AREA NAME] Child Poverty Reduction Strategy (2026–2030) – setting out measurable targets to reduce child poverty and improve outcomes for children and families across [AREA NAME].
- Establish a cross-party Child Poverty Commission, involving councillors, officers, schools, health partners, and voluntary groups, to coordinate action and hold the administration to account.
- Require an annual Child Poverty Impact Assessment on all major Council decisions and budget proposals to ensure policies support – rather than worsen – child and family wellbeing.