The Lib Dems are proposing a £100,000 budget amendment to help tackle child poverty in Milton Keynes.
This comes as Milton Keynes Council's Child Poverty Commission has produced its annual report which claims that almost 23,000 children are living in poverty.
This year's report says that 22,940 children in the area are living in poverty after housing costs, with 970 being in temporary accommodation.
As a result, the Lib Dems are proposing the £100,000 budget amendment for 2021/22.
The group has been actively campaigning on the issue of child hunger and poverty, and previously wrote an open letter to Milton Keynes' MPs after it was revealed over 8,000 local children were eligible for free school meals.
They suggest that £35,000 of the £100,000 amendment go toward progressing the Council’s Poverty Strategy, and £30,000 to setting up Homework Plus, community-based homework clubs that provide a meal to children.
The Lib Dems' amendment also has £35,000 for positive activity sessions through Children’s Centres. These sessions include physical exercise and group activities to build resilience and strengthen purpose amongst parents and children in material need.
Cllr Carr, who also Chairs the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee, said: “It is imperative that now we have the recommendations from the Commission, we ensure the work gets done, not like in previous years when recommendations were ignored.
“We have 22,940 children in Milton Keynes are in poverty after housing costs are considered. We have a duty, and moral obligation, to help them."
The Leader of Milton Keynes Council has said the amendment will be carefully considered.
Cllr Pete Marland, Leader of the Council, said: "Tackling child poverty is one of MK Council’s top priorities. It is shameful that so many children now have to live in poverty under this Conservative government and things are getting worse.
"We share the desire of the Liberal Democrats to do even more, and welcome their positive engagement on the subject. I’m sure that we will carefully consider their amendment once we have seen it and will be able to support it.”
