Amendment added 1.10.24

In proposing the motion, Councillor Hannah Perkin explained that, along with the seconder of the motion, Councillor Charles Gibson, she had accepted a minor amendment to the motion from Councillors Bowen and Speed, which was published on the Council’s website and circulated to Members and this was now the substantive motion.

Councillor Perkin said that shortly after the announcement to withdraw the winter fuel allowance, Age Concern set up a petition to object to it, and it was often the voluntary sector that saw first-hand the daily struggles so many had to contend with. She referred to the likely 10% rise on the energy price cap and the unaffordability to so many during the cost of living crisis. Councillor Perkin said that Age Concern estimated that 2.5million pensioners who needed the money to stay warm this winter would not receive it, and they were concerned for those that missed out on the pension credit threshold, and the 800,000 eligible people that did not receive it. She drew attention to those that had high energy needs due to disability or illness and said the Government had admitted it had not carried out a Quality Impact Assessment alongside the policy.

Councillor Perkin acknowledged that some did not need the winter fuel allowance, but the policy would impact many and she said it was rushed and not thought through.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Charles Gibson reserved his right to speak.

The Mayor announced that a further amendment had been received, outside of the deadline, and he had used his discretion to allow the amendment to be debated, copies of which were tabled at the meeting.  Councillor Harrison proposed the amendment to the second half of the motion which read as follows:

Council resolves to:

Request all group leaders within Swale sign a joint letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the new Winter Fuel Payment policy to be suspended and reviewed.

Continue a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pensions credits.  This will include use of Council noticeboards, social media, promotion in local press and also targeted letters to those who may be eligible.

Councillor Harrison said there should be a cross-party missive to sign the letter and it was important for there to be a pause and review of the Winter Fuel Payment policy. She referred to the original motion and said that the Council had already been increasing promotion of pension credit including the One Swale Roadshow and individuals were already targeted to inform and assist to receive entitlements.

In seconding the amendment, Councillor Wise reserved his right to speak.

In the debate that followed, Members raised points including:

·         The Labour Group did not want to stand up to Government;

·         cross-Council sent out a stronger message;

·         felt conflicted at the changes as agreed with some parts, but not others and could not support an amendment that took away the Council speaking with one voice, through the Leader;

·         supported including to ‘continue to’ increase awareness as this was more accurate; and

·         sought clarification on what the amendment replaced.

In response, Councillor Perkin, agreed that replacing the phrase ‘Urgently commence…..’ with an alternative such as ‘Upscale’ or similar, could be discussed. However, she did not support the other amendments proposed as she considered there should be accountability from the Labour Government.

Councillor Wise said the Labour group were in agreement that the proposal needed to be paused and means testing reviewed. Quoting another Member, he said that the Council were better when they worked as one and there had been cross party support for several important topics in past motions, and a letter from all groups was more powerful. Councillor Wise said the Labour Group wanted to go to direct to the Chancellor to pause, review and come up with an improved policy.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3.1.19(2), a recorded vote was taken, and voting was as follows:

For:  Brawn, Cavanagh, Cheeseman, T Gibson, Harrison, Jackson, Last, Miller, Shiel, Valls, Watson, Wooster, Winckless and Wise. Total equals 14.

Against: Baldock, Booth, Bowen, Carnell, Chapman, R Clark, Eyre, C Gibson, Gould, Hunt, Jayes, Lehmann, MacDonald, Marchington, B Martin, C Martin, Moore, Neal, Noe, Nundy, C Palmer, R Palmer, Perkin, Speed, P Stephen, S Stephen, Thompson. Total equals 27.

Abstain: None. Total equals 0.

The Mayor announced that the amendment had fallen and debate on the substantive motion continued.

Members made points including:

·         that Labour had previously highlighted the negative impacts a cut in winter fuel allowance would cause when the Conservative Government included it in their manifesto and now the views had switched;

·         85% of pensioners were due to lose the allowance, including many who were vulnerable;

·         there were better ways to tackle the country’s finances; and

·         it was important that the Council sent a clear message that cutting winter fuel allowances was wrong.

Councillor Lehman then proposed a further amendment to the second half of the motion, as set out below, which Councillors Perkin and Charles Gibson, as proposers of the original motion accepted as an alteration to the motion, and to which all Members agreed.

Council resolves to:

1. Instruct the Leader to write, on behalf of the Council, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling for:
   • the policy linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be immediately paused and reviewed
   • the introduction of a new threshold to determine eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments
   • an Equalities Impact Assessment to be undertaken.
2. Request the Leader to write, on behalf of the Council, to all MPs covering Swale, asking for their formal support in halting the changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.
3. Increase our ongoing awareness campaigns to maximise uptake of Pension Credits, including the use of council noticeboards, social media, promotion in local press, and targeted letters to those who may be eligible.

Members then continued to debate the motion and made points including:

·         Gave various quotes of those criticising the policy;

·         the winter fuel allowance was a lifeline for many;

·         cutting the allowance put many at risk of fuel poverty;

·         said cutting the allowance would cost the Government more in pension credit and other benefits, and not save money;

·         highlighted the health costs of removing the allowance;

·         it would be left to charities to plug the gap to assist vulnerable citizens;

·         National Labour were letting local Labour down, and urged those in the Labour group to vote in favour of the motion; and

·         said that all groups agreed the policy should have been reviewed a long time ago.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Charles Gibson agreed that making cuts that impacted the most vulnerable was always the wrong choice, regardless of political party. He repeated the impact the cuts would have on the vulnerable and urged everyone to vote in favour of the motion.

In summing up, Councillor Perkin said the Labour Government should be accountable for the decision, just as any other political group that had made a wrong decision should be.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3.1.19(2), a recorded vote was taken, and voting was as follows:

For:  Baldock, Booth, Bowen, Brawn, Carnell, Cavanagh, Chapman, R Clark, Eyre, C Gibson, T Gibson, Gould, Harrison, Hunt, Jackson, Jayes, Last, Lehmann, MacDonald, Marchington, B Martin, C Martin, Miller, Moore, Neal, Noe, Nundy, C Palmer, R Palmer, Perkin, Shiel, Speed, P Stephen, S Stephen, Thompson, Tucker, Valls, Watson, Wooster, Winckless and Wise. Total equals 41.

Against: None. Total equals 0.

Abstain: None. Total equals 0.

The Mayor announced there was unanimous support for the motion.

Resolved:

Council notes the recent announcement by the Labour Government to end universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility to only those in receipt of Pension Credits and other benefits. Though many agree that universal Winter Fuel Payments are not necessary, Council is deeply concerned that many pensioners on lower and middle incomes will now not receive the payments. Across England and Wales the number of people eligible for winter fuel payments will fall by 10 million (from 11.4 million to only 1.5 million). In Swale the number of pensioners affected by the change in eligibility criteria is 24,056. That means 88.5% of pensioners currently eligible for winter fuel payments will no longer be able to claim the payment from this winter onwards.

Council believes that the Labour Government has set the threshold at which pensioners do not qualify for Winter Fuel Payments far too low. Only those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples) are eligible for pension credits. This is significantly lower than the living wage rate.

Council is also concerned by the low take up of pension credit with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving them – and over 880,000 pensioners not doing so. Council recognises the role we have to play to increase awareness of benefits such as Pension Credit to ensure people are aware of the support they are entitled to. Council further notes that the Energy Price Cap is due to rise by 10% in October, which combined by the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty.

Council resolves to:

(1)  Instruct the Leader to write, on behalf of the Council, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling for:

(2)  Request the Leader to write, on behalf of the Council, to all MPs covering Swale, asking for their formal support in halting the changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.

(3)  Increase our ongoing awareness campaigns to maximise uptake of Pension Credits, including the use of council noticeboards, social media, promotion in local press, and targeted letters to those who may be eligible.