This Council notes:

-     Across Greater Manchester, more than one in every three children grow up in poverty. Three of the 20 local authorities with the highest levels of child poverty nationally, are in Greater Manchester.

-     As many as 10 children in every classroom of 30, are not getting the start in life that they deserve.

-     The pandemic has compounded this situation, leading to a spike in child poverty rates of approximately 6% during the ‘pandemic years’ – 2020 and 2021.

This Council believes in the power of early intervention and in the positive difference that can be made when health services provide meaningful support to families and children from birth.

The baby-box is a care package which is delivered to expectant parents, carers and guardians in the early stages of a child’s life. It is loaded with essentials such as clothing, reusable nappies, maternity pads, blankets, wraps and slings, as well as books, vouchers and advice for new parents. The box itself doubles as a small cot.

The principle behind the baby box is that every child should be offered the best possible start in life.

Finland and Scotland have long since adopted the baby-box. Each have seen a steady and sustained positive impact on child poverty rates, as well as infant mortality rates and rates of post-natal depression, among other positive health impacts.

The universal nature of the baby box in both countries means that no child is left behind and that no stigma is placed on families for receiving support.

Whilst a universally implemented baby-box could deliver transformational outcomes for children and families across Greater Manchester, this Council recognises the current strain on public sector finance and therefore advocates for a proportionate universal approach to be adopted in developing a Greater Manchester-wide trial of the baby-box.

This Council also believes in the importance of the role of businesses in driving positive health outcomes for the people of Greater Manchester.

This Council resolves to:

-       Support a Greater Manchester-wide trial of the baby-box based on the principal of proportional universalism and ask the Leader of the Council, and representatives from all parties to send an ‘all-party’ letter to the Mayor of Greater Manchester and his deputy with responsibility for Health, calling for options for a trial to be developed and expressing our shared belief that the public and private sectors can work together in the delivery of an ethical and sustainable baby-box trial.

-       Write to the Leaders of the other Greater Manchester local authorities calling on them to add their support for a trial.

-       Undertake consultation here in Trafford to hear suggestions from parents and professionals about their needs and how a baby-box could best provide the right support.

With the consent of the Council, the Motion set out on the Summons regarding Support for a Greater Manchester-wide Trial of the Baby-box was altered, as set out and published before being moved and seconded.

Following a debate on the matter, the Motion, as altered was put to the vote which was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That this Council notes:

-     Across Greater Manchester, more than one in every three children grow up in poverty. Three of the 20 local authorities with the highest levels of child poverty nationally, are in Greater Manchester.

-     As many as 10 children in every classroom of 30, are not getting the start in life that they deserve.

-     The pandemic has compounded this situation, leading to a spike in child poverty rates of approximately 6% during the ‘pandemic years’ – 2020 and 2021.

This Council believes in the power of early intervention and in the positive difference that can be made when health services provide meaningful support to families and children from birth.

The Baby Box scheme is a care package which is delivered to expectant parents, carers and guardians in the early stages of a child’s life. It is loaded with essentials such as clothing, reusable nappies, maternity pads, blankets, wraps and slings, as well as books, vouchers and advice for new parents. The box itself doubles as a small cot.

The principle behind the Baby Box is that every child should be offered the best possible start in life.

Finland and Scotland have long since adopted the Baby Box. Each have seen this contributing to a steady and sustained positive impact on child poverty rates, as well as on infant mortality rates and rates of post-natal depression, among other positive health impacts.

The universal nature of the baby box in both countries means that no stigma is placed on families for receiving support.

Whilst a universally implemented Baby Box could deliver positive outcomes for children and families across Greater Manchester, this council recognises the current strain on public sector finance and therefore advocates for a proportionate universal approach to be explored in developing a Greater Manchester-wide trial of the Baby Box.

This Council also acknowledges and values the support already offered to new parents  in Trafford by community and voluntary services such as The Little Green Sock Project and our Trafford Community Hubs, as well as the role of businesses in driving positive health outcomes for the people of Greater Manchester. We would seek to engage with such communities when exploring options for a Baby Box scheme.

This Council resolves:

-         that the Leader of the Council, the Executive Member for Health and Care and Executive Member for Children and Young People engage with Council Officers and Children’s Scrutiny committee to explore the feasibility of introducing a Baby Box scheme in Trafford, comparing this with other assistance already in place, in alignment with our existing strategies to tackle poverty.

-         If it is assessed that a Baby Box offer is feasible in Trafford, report our findings to the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Deputy Mayor for Health, calling for the exploration of  sources of funding and options for the delivery of an ethical and sustainable Baby Box trial in Greater Manchester.