Agenda item

“Earlier this year, this Council agreed to support the Motor Neurone Disease Charter and we have continued to keep in touch with carers and the South Yorkshire Group.  We can do our part as a Council in ensuring our services are there to support and work with people who have been diagnosed and their carers but it is important that we recognise that changes need to be made nationally.  One such national issue is the Scrap 6 Months campaign.

Within the benefit system, people with unpredictable terminal illness are being unfairly excluded for the Special Rules for Terminal Illness process.

The Special Rules fast track process currently requires a reasonable expectation of death within 6 months.  This simply does not work for people living with complex and unpredictable terminal conditions.  Instead they are forced to go through the standard application process which is inappropriate and insensitive for people with a terminal illness like motor neurone disease.

Notify the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that this Council supports the MND Associations’ and Marie Curie’s call for the Government to support a change in the law defining a terminal illness so that the 6 months restriction is scrapped.

The second reading of the Access to Welfare (Terminal Illness Definition) Bill takes place on 23 November and this Council supports the passing of this Bill.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Rachael Blake and Seconded by Councillor Mark Houlbrook:-

“Earlier this year, this Council agreed to support the Motor Neurone Disease Charter and we have continued to keep in touch with carers and the South Yorkshire Group.  We can do our part as a Council in ensuring our services are there to support and work with people who have been diagnosed and their carers but it is important that we recognise that changes need to be made nationally.  One such national issue is the Scrap 6 Months campaign.

Within the benefit system, people with unpredictable terminal illness are being unfairly excluded for the Special Rules for Terminal Illness process.

The Special Rules fast track process currently requires a reasonable expectation of death within 6 months.  This simply does not work for people living with complex and unpredictable terminal conditions.  Instead they are forced to go through the standard application process which is inappropriate and insensitive for people with a terminal illness like motor neurone disease.

Notify the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that this Council supports the MND Association’s and Marie Curie’s call for the Government to support a change in the law defining a terminal illness so that the 6 months restriction is scrapped.

The second reading of the Access to Welfare (Terminal Illness Definition) Bill takes place on 23 November and this Council supports the passing of this Bill.”

The Chair afforded all Members in the Chamber the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

A vote was taken on the Motion proposed by Councillor Rachael Blake, which was declared as follows:-

For - 50

Against - 0

Abstain - 0

On being put to the meeting, the Motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that earlier this year, this Council agreed to support the Motor Neurone Disease Charter and we have continued to keep in touch with carers and the South Yorkshire Group.  We can do our part as a Council in ensuring our services are there to support and work with people who have been diagnosed and their carers but it is important that we recognise that changes need to be made nationally. One such national issue is the Scrap 6 Months campaign.

Within the benefit system, people with unpredictable terminal illness are being unfairly excluded for the Special Rules for Terminal Illness process.

The Special Rules fast track process currently requires a reasonable expectation of death within 6 months.  This simply does not work for people living with complex and unpredictable terminal conditions.  Instead they are forced to go through the standard application process which is inappropriate and insensitive for people with a terminal illness like motor neurone disease.

Notify the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that this Council supports the MND Association’s and Marie Curie’s call for the Government to support a change in the law defining a terminal illness so that the 6 months restriction is scrapped.

The second reading of the Access to Welfare (Terminal Illness Definition) Bill takes place on 23 November and this Council supports the passing of this Bill.