Agenda item

Motions for which notice has been given are listed on the agenda in the order in which notice was received, unless the Member giving notice states, in writing, that they propose to move it at a later meeting or withdraw it.

 

If a Motion set out in the agenda is not moved by the Member who gave notice thereof it shall, unless postponed by consent of the Council, be treated as withdrawn and shall not be moved without fresh notice.

 

The Motions received are set out in the agenda papers.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor T J Bartlett moved the following Motion:

 

Changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance and Protecting Pensioners from Fuel Poverty

 

Council Notes:

 

·                     The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

 

·                     The estimated impact of this decision, which Age UK says will mean 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it, including 24,503 pensioners in Dover District.

 

·                     The significant role that Winter Fuel Payments play in helping older residents of Dover District and across the UK afford heating during the coldest months, thereby preventing 'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.

 

·                     The criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and other charities, highlighting the social injustice and potential health risks posed by this sudden policy change.

 

·                     The additional strain this decision will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom do not claim Pension Credit despite being eligible, further exacerbating their financial hardship.

 

Council believes:

 

·         That the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many older people across the UK and that restricting its availability solely to those on Pension Credit risks leaving many pensioners in financial hardship.

 

·         While some pensioners currently in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment may not require it, many thousands across Dover District sit just above the cut-off for Pension Credit and will now lose their allowance.

 

·         The decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, especially with such short notice and without adequate compensatory measures, is deeply unfair and will disproportionately affect the health and well-being of our poorest older residents.

 

·         The government’s approach fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving many without the support they desperately need.

 

Council resolves to: 

 

·         Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those eligible of Pension Credit which in some respects will help access to the Winter Fuel Payment for those most in need.

 

·         Request that the Council Leader write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and asking the government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty.

 

·         This Council calls upon the Cabinet to commit the Council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.

 

·         Encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that all eligible pensioners in Dover District are supported in claiming their entitlement.

 

It was duly seconded by Councillor O C de R Richardson.

 

Councillor K Mills moved an AMENDMENT, duly seconded by Councillor M J Nee, as followed:

 

(a)  To remove the words “urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and” from the second bullet point under ‘council resolves to’ so that it reads:

 

“Request that the Council Leader write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking the government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty.”

 

(b)  To delete the third bullet point under 'council resolves to’ which was as follows:

 

“This Council calls upon the Cabinet to commit the Council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.”

 

Councillor C A Vinson raised a Point of Order to question if the amendment resulted in a negation. The Chairman’s ruling was that it did not.

 

On being put to the vote, the AMENDMENT was CARRIED.

 

On being put to the vote the Substantive Motion was CARRIED and it was

 

RESOLVED:

 

Council Notes:

 

·                     The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

 

·                     The estimated impact of this decision, which Age UK says will mean 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it, including 24,503 pensioners in Dover District.

 

·                     The significant role that Winter Fuel Payments play in helping older residents of Dover District and across the UK afford heating during the coldest months, thereby preventing 'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.

 

·                     The criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and other charities, highlighting the social injustice and potential health risks posed by this sudden policy change.

 

·                     The additional strain this decision will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom do not claim Pension Credit despite being eligible, further exacerbating their financial hardship.

 

Council believes:

 

·         That the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many older people across the UK and that restricting its availability solely to those on Pension Credit risks leaving many pensioners in financial hardship.

 

·         While some pensioners currently in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment may not require it, many thousands across Dover District sit just above the cut-off for Pension Credit and will now lose their allowance.

 

·         The decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, especially with such short notice and without adequate compensatory measures, is deeply unfair and will disproportionately affect the health and well-being of our poorest older residents.

 

·         The government’s approach fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving many without the support they desperately need.

 

Council resolves to: 

 

·         Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those eligible of Pension Credit which in some respects will help access to the Winter Fuel Payment for those most in need.

 

·         Request that the Council Leader write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking the government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty.

 

·         Encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that all eligible pensioners in Dover District are supported in claiming their entitlement.