1.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Matt Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Ahsan Khan

“This council recognises that the benefits system in the UK needs reform to help people into work and to ensure that there is an appropriate safety net for those who are unable to work or meet the minimum cost of housing and feeding themselves.

The Universal Credit system was originally designed to help this process through rolling up a series of benefits into a single, simple to manage payment.

However, this council recognises that the rollout of Universal Credit so far has left many recipients in or at risk of debt, rent arrears, physical and mental health illness as a result of lower benefits payments than under the previous regime, the six-week waiting time for payment and until recently, the cost of telephoning the UC helpline.

This council notes that the rollout of UC to new claimants has been halted as of January 2018 and recognises that this presents a perfect opportunity to increase the volume of those calling for a re-think.

Therefore, we resolve that the elected mayor of the council will write, on behalf of members, to the secretary of state for work and pensions to request:

·       An extension of the halt to new claimants to review the practice of UC rollout.

·       A review of UC in order to fix the complications introduced by communication resources and delays in payment.

·       A level of support for people currently on UC who are unable to meet their financial commitments that goes beyond the current modest loan payment scheme.”

2.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Asif Khan and seconded by Councillor Nigel Bell

“This council recognises that the Met Line Extension is a vital development for Watford, Hertfordshire and London.

This council also recognises that negotiations between the Department for Transport and the Mayor of London are currently stalled and it is vital that they conclude with a positive outcome for the Met Line extension.

The council resolves to work with the Secretary of State for Transport and the Mayor of London to come to a workable agreement for the benefit of all parties involved.”

3.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Iain Sharpe and seconded by Councillor Mark Watkin

“This Council regrets the decision by the Mayor of London to withdraw his backing for the Metropolitan Line Extension unless ‘all additional potential cost overruns’ are underwritten.

Council notes that the project has secured a further £73m from the government to bridge the funding gap indicated by TfL in order to enable delivery. Council also notes the additional potential to develop land worth up to £40m.

Given the total funding from partners includes £45m contingency funding, Council is shocked that the Mayor of London is set to withdraw support for this essential infrastructure project that benefits both Hertfordshire and London, especially after his stated wish to run commuter services from outside the GLA area, and the desire to work with areas outside the capital, expressed in the London Plan.

Council therefore reaffirms its support for the MLX project and urges the London Mayor to rethink his stance and, continues to support the efforts of Hertfordshire County Council, the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Watford Borough Council to secure the delivery of the MLX scheme.”

Council was informed that three motions had been received.

1)      The following motion was proposed by Councillor Matt Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Ahsan Khan

         “This council recognises that the benefits system in the UK needs reform to help people into work and to ensure that there is an appropriate safety net for those who are unable to work or meet the minimum cost of housing and feeding themselves.

         The Universal Credit system was originally designed to help this process through rolling up a series of benefits into a single, simple to manage payment.

         However, this council recognises that the rollout of Universal Credit so far has left many recipients in or at risk of debt, rent arrears, physical and mental health illness as a result of lower benefits payments than under the previous regime, the six-week waiting time for payment and until recently, the cost of telephoning the UC helpline.

         This council notes that the rollout of UC to new claimants has been halted as  of January 2018 and recognises that this presents a perfect opportunity to increase the volume of those calling for a re-think.

         Therefore, we resolve that the elected mayor of the council will write, on behalf of members, to the secretary of state for work and pensions to request:

·             An extension of the halt to new claimants to review the practice of UC rollout.

·             A review of UC in order to fix the complications introduced by communication resources and delays in payment.

·             A level of support for people currently on UC who are unable to meet their financial commitments that goes beyond the current modest loan payment scheme.”

         Council debated the motion.

         On being put to Council the motion was CARRIED.

         RESOLVED –

         This council recognises that the benefits system in the UK needs reform to help people into work and to ensure that there is an appropriate safety net for those who are unable to work or meet the minimum cost of housing and feeding themselves.

         The Universal Credit system was originally designed to help this process through rolling up a series of benefits into a single, simple to manage payment.

         However, this council recognises that the rollout of Universal Credit so far has left many recipients in or at risk of debt, rent arrears, physical and mental health illness as a result of lower benefits payments than under the previous regime, the six-week waiting time for payment and until recently, the cost of telephoning the UC helpline.

         This council notes that the rollout of UC to new claimants has been halted as  of January 2018 and recognises that this presents a perfect opportunity to increase the volume of those calling for a re-think.

         Therefore, we resolve that the elected mayor of the council will write, on behalf of members, to the secretary of state for work and pensions to request:

·             An extension of the halt to new claimants to review the practice of UC rollout.

·             A review of UC in order to fix the complications introduced by communication resources and delays in payment.

·             A level of support for people currently on UC who are unable to meet their financial commitments that goes beyond the current modest loan payment scheme.

2)      The following motion was proposed by Councillor Asif Khan and seconded by Councillor Nigel Bell

         “This council recognises that the Met Line Extension is a vital development for Watford, Hertfordshire and London.

         This council also recognises that negotiations between the Department for Transport and the Mayor of London are currently stalled and it is vital that they conclude with a positive outcome for the Met Line extension.

         The council resolves to work with the Secretary of State for Transport and the Mayor of London to come to a workable agreement for the benefit of all parties involved.”

         Councillor Sharpe moved the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor Watkin –

         “To delete paragraph 2 of the Labour Group Motion:

         ‘This council also recognises that negotiations between the Department for Transport and the Mayor of London are currently stalled and it is vital that they conclude with a positive outcome for the Met Line extension.’ ”

         Council debated the motion and the amendment.

         On being put to Council the amendment was CARRIED.

         On being put to Council the amended motion was CARRIED.

         RESOLVED –

         This council recognises that the Met Line Extension is a vital development for Watford, Hertfordshire and London.

         The council resolves to work with the Secretary of State for Transport and the Mayor of London to come to a workable agreement for the benefit of all parties involved.

3)      The following motion was proposed by Councillor Iain Sharpe and seconded by Councillor Mark Watkin

         “This Council regrets the decision by the Mayor of London to withdraw his backing for the Metropolitan Line Extension unless ‘all additional potential cost overruns’ are underwritten.

         Council notes that the project has secured a further £73m from the government to bridge the funding gap indicated by TfL in order to enable delivery. Council also notes the additional potential to develop land worth up to £40m.

         Given the total funding from partners includes £45m contingency funding, Council is shocked that the Mayor of London is set to withdraw support for this essential infrastructure project that benefits both Hertfordshire and London, especially after his stated wish to run commuter services from outside the GLA area, and the desire to work with areas outside the capital, expressed in the London Plan.

         Council therefore reaffirms its support for the MLX project and urges the London Mayor to rethink his stance and, continues to support the efforts of Hertfordshire County Council, the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Watford Borough Council to secure the delivery of the MLX scheme.”

         Council debated the motion.

         On being put to Council the motion was CARRIED.

         RESOLVED –

         This Council regrets the decision by the Mayor of London to withdraw his backing for the Metropolitan Line Extension unless ‘all additional potential cost overruns’ are underwritten.

         Council notes that the project has secured a further £73m from the government to bridge the funding gap indicated by TfL in order to enable delivery. Council also notes the additional potential to develop land worth up to £40m.

         Given the total funding from partners includes £45m contingency funding, Council is shocked that the Mayor of London is set to withdraw support for this essential infrastructure project that benefits both Hertfordshire and London, especially after his stated wish to run commuter services from outside the GLA area, and the desire to work with areas outside the capital, expressed in the London Plan.

         Council therefore reaffirms its support for the MLX project and urges the London Mayor to rethink his stance and, continues to support the efforts of Hertfordshire County Council, the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Watford Borough Council to secure the delivery of the MLX scheme.