At this month’s full council meeting, Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, St. Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) tabled a motion on the UK Government’s recent concessions on changes to disability welfare, particularly Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
The full text of the original motion is available here.
In summary, Bridgend Council:
- Notes the recent u-turn by the UK Government on proposed welfare reforms affecting disabled people, recognising the “significant negative impact” the reforms would have had.
- Acknowledges the work of disability advocacy groups and campaigners in voicing their concerns.
- Calls on the Leader of BCBC to write to the UK Prime Minister to emphasise the importance of continuing to support and protect disabled residents and to urge the UK Government to work with local councils and disability organisations to develop future welfare policies.
- Reaffirms BCBC’s commitment to ensure local services are accessible, inclusive and adequately resourced.
Cllr Thomas told the council chamber that the reforms would’ve placed a disproportionate burden on disabled residents. There was now an opportunity to reflect on what’s happened and to “push for better”.
Having a disabled sister, Cllr. Thomas said he knows what proper support means, and also knows how fragile that support is when policies are made without empathy or understanding.
He urged councillors to back the motion as BCBC needed to send a message to disabled residents that the council is listening and cares.
Motion amended to remove reference to “u-turns”; includes Welsh Government
Cllr. Colin Davies (Lab, Bryntirion, Laleston & Merthyr Mawr) reminded the chamber that the two UK Parliament constituencies covering the northern half of the county – Aberafan-Maesteg and Rhondda & Ogwr – are in the top ten constituencies for PIP claims.
Cllr. Davies did have an issue with the wording of the motion. He proposed amendments which removed references to “u-turns”. His amendments also expanded the motion to include the Welsh Government.
While Wales doesn’t have any responsibility over welfare, which is controlled only by the UK Government, the Welsh Government does have some control over health and social care for disabled people.
While these amendments were originally opposed by Cllr. Thomas, once the Council Leader made it clear he would still write to the Prime Minister in the same spirit, the amendment was accepted.
With nobody else saying anything against, the amended motion was unanimously approved.
