52 Notices of Motion PDF 301 KB
To consider any Notices of Motion that have been received in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules.
Minutes:
Consideration was given to the following Notice of Motions which had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s Procedural Rules.
Motion 1 Winter Fuel Allowance
Proposed by Councillor A Kolker and Seconded by Councillor A Gage
“This Council is dismayed at the Labour Government’s recent decision, in the absence of a full impact assessment, to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only those pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit or similar benefit, with immediate effect this winter.
This means that many vulnerable Cheshire East pensioners this year, will lose between £200 and £300 that they have relied upon to keep their homes warm and hot food prepared.
Nationally, Age UK has identified that up to two million pensioners who badly need this money, will now not receive it.
In addition, as many as 800,000 pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit, do not claim it and will therefore remain ineligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance.
As elected members, we have already received letters of concern from affected, older residents, including, for example, a petition from fifty members of the Congleton Widows Group.
Vulnerable Cheshire East Pensioners on limited means, but either not claiming Pension Credit or with incomes just above the Pension Credit threshold, will face desperate choices this winter; to “heat or eat” - decisions that pose a significant threat to health and life.
This Council therefore resolves:
• That Group Leaders write jointly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, expressing this Council’s deep concerns regarding the impact of this decision on Cheshire East’s most vulnerable residents and asking that the Winter Fuel Allowance is reinstated with immediate effect. This to remain in place, pending the results of a full impact assessment and the evaluation of an alternative scheme that will protect the most vulnerable and middle-income pensioners at risk during Winter months.
• To bring forward a refreshed Council-led, local awareness campaign, via digital, targeted mail and via related services and venues (for example; GP surgeries, Community facilities, places of worship), to support all those eligible, to apply for Pension Credit, before 21st December 2024. This date is critical if they are to register for Winter Fuel Allowance this Winter and so avoid fuel poverty.
• That the Leader and Deputy Leader of Council write to all Members of Parliament representing Cheshire East constituencies, explaining this Council’s concerns and to request their support in raising them in Westminster, on behalf of Cheshire East’s most vulnerable pensioners.”
RESOLVED:
That the Motion be referred to the Adults and Health Committee for consideration.
Motions 2 and 3 – The Mayor announced that these Motions would be dealt with at the meeting and taken together, with one debate on both motions as she did not believe that there was anything which was contradictory in either motion which would create problems for a joint debate, and that following the conjoined debate, a separate vote would be taken on each Motion.
Motion 2 Council’s Governance ... view the full minutes text for item 52