Agenda item

This Council regrets the decision by the Labour Government to end universal winter fuel payments which could push tens of thousands of people in our district into fuel poverty.

We call on the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor urging a review of the decision to restrict eligibility to those in receipt of pension credits and other benefits. This is to ensure vulnerable pensioners, particularly those that do not claim pension credits, are protected from financial hardship.

Council notes that many pensioners eligible for credits do not apply for them and will lose winter fuel payments as a result. Therefore, we resolve to undertake an awareness campaign to encourage residents in South Kesteven to check their eligibility. This includes the use of social media, promotion in the local press and other media partners.

Note:  Councillor Philip Knowles left the Council Chamber for this item and did not take part in the debate or vote.

Councillor Graham Jeal proposed the following motion:

This Council regrets the decision by the Labour Government to end universal winter fuel payments which could push tens of thousands of people in our district into fuel poverty.

We call on the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor urging a review of the decision to restrict eligibility to those in receipt of pension credits and other benefits. This is to ensure vulnerable pensioners, particularly those that do not claim pension credits, are protected from financial hardship.

Council notes that many pensioners eligible for credits do not apply for them and will lose winter fuel payments as a result. Therefore, we resolve to undertake an awareness campaign to encourage residents in South Kesteven to check their eligibility. This includes the use of social media, promotion in the local press and other media partners.

The motion was seconded.

The following views were raised during the introduction to, and debate on the motion:

·         This motion had been presented to approximately 80 Councils across the country. Local MPs had led opposition within Parliament, and there had been cross-party work on this motion.

·         One member’s view was that whilst the policy around winter fuel payments was in need of reform, to remove it from all did not feel right.

·         There was a massive backlog in pension credit applications, which was worrying as winter approached.

·         Another member’s view was that the Labour government had inherited a budget gap between national spending and actual resources, and therefore difficult decisions would have to be taken.

·         There were millions of pensioners that did not require financial assistance with winter fuel payments. However, there remained a large number of pensioners that did require assistance and therefore raising awareness of pension credits was key. British state pensions were around the lowest in Europe.

·         In times of austerity it might not be appropriate to handing out a universal winter fuel payment.

·         The Council had a social media campaign to ensure as many pensioners as possible were signed up for pension credit.

A request was made that a recorded vote on the motion be taken, as in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.5 any ten or more Councillors present at the meeting of Full Council could request this. The results of the recorded vote were as follows: 

For:                 Councillors Emma Baker, Rhys Baker, David Bellamy, Harrish Bisnauthsing, Pam Bosworth, Pam Byrd, Richard Cleaver, Phil Dilks, Richard Dixon-Warren, Barry Dobson, Graham Jeal, Gareth Knight, Zoe Lane, Robert Leadenham, Bridget Ley, Paul Martin, Penny Milnes, Virginia Moran, Charmaine Morgan, Rhea Rayside, Nick Robins, Penny Robins, Susan Sandall, Peter Stephens, Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, Sarah Trotter, Murray Turner, Jane Wood, Paul Wood, Sue Woolley. (30) 

Against:          Councillors Steven Cunnington, Phil Gadd, Tim Harrison, Anna Kelly, Rob Shorrock, Lee Steptoe. (6). 

Abstain:          Councillors Ashley Baxter, James Denniston, Paul Fellows, Max Sawyer, Ian Selby, Vanessa Smith, Paul Stokes, Elvis Stooke.  (8). 

Therefore, the motion was AGREED.