Agenda item

The following Motion on Notice was presented by Councillor Matthew Dormer at the meeting:

“Council resolves to

Request that the Council Leader write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer condemning their actions and requesting:

·             That  the  Government  acknowledges  the  importance  of  the  Winter  Fuel Allowance in protecting the health and wellbeing of pensioners.

·             That  the  Government  reinstates  the  Winter  Fuel  Allowance  to  all pensioners.

·             That  the  Government  commits  to  maintaining  this  allowance  to  prevent future risk to the elderly population during winter months.

And Council asks the Executive Committee to ensure that: 

·             The Council proactively promotes the Government’s awareness campaign and the Pension Credit Toolkit to alert those eligible of Pension Credit which in some respects will help access to the Winter Fuel Payment for those most in need.

·             The Council encourages 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 Redditch, Astwood Bank and Feckenham are supported in claiming their entitlement.

·             The Council offers all Members the opportunity to sign the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK.”

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Dormer and seconded by Councillor Gemma Monaco.

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Dormer commented that there were circa 16,000 residents in the Borough who were eligible to receive the Winter Fuel Allowance.  Consequently, a lot of Redditch residents would be impacted by changes to the rules in respect of this matter.  Members were asked to note that the estimated costs nationally of continuing with current arrangements would be £1.2 billion, which he suggested was not too substantial when compared to other public service costs.

In seconding this Motion, Councillor Monaco explained that the Motion was asking for a letter to be written by the Leader on behalf of the Council to the Government to express Members’ concerns.  Councillor Monaco commented that she had been contacted by residents about this situation and she expressed particular concerns about those pensioners who would not meet the threshold to receive pension credit but who might still struggle financially due to a change to the rules for the Winter Fuel Allowance.

During consideration of this item, an amendment was proposed to the wording of the Motion by Councillor Claire Davies.  This proposal was to add the following words to the end of the second bullet point in the Motion: “…and instead increases taxes for millionaires and multi-millionaires.”  However, this proposal was not seconded and was also not accepted by the proposer of the original Motion and therefore was not debated.

A further proposal was made by the Leader to amend the Motion so as to only refer to the fourth and fifth bullet points.  This proposal was made on the basis that these were elements that it was suggested the Council could influence effectively.  However, the proposer of the Motion did not agree to this suggestion and therefore it was not taken forward.

Members subsequently discussed the Motion in detail and in doing so commented on the following:

·             The financial difficulties experienced by some pensioners and the impact that changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance would have on people in this position.

·             The Motion on Notice that had been considered on a similar subject at a recent full Council meeting held at Worcester County Council.

·             The work of the Council to promote pension credit to local residents.

·             The extent to which there were local pensioners who were eligible to receive pension credit but who were not aware of this or did not claim this support.

·             The role of elected Members in helping to promote pension credit to local pensioners.

·             The financial difficulties that might be experienced by pensioners who were not eligible to receive pension credit.

·             The support that could be provided by Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), to help people manage their personal finances.

·             The support that could be provided by the Worcestershire Household Support Fund to residents with managing debts and energy costs.

·             The additional Household Support Funding for the period April 2025 to March 2026 that had been announced by the Government in the budget statement to support people with managing household expenditure.

·             The potential for all Members to write to the Government regarding this matter.

·             The extent to which an equality impact assessment should have been undertaken at the national level in respect of this matter.

·             The ongoing cost of living crisis in the UK.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was defeated.

(During consideration of this item, there was a brief adjournment, from 19.37 – 19.43pm.

Prior to consideration of this item, Councillor Brandon Clayton declared an other disclosable interest as he advised that he was eligible to claim the Winter Fuel Allowance.  However, he commented that he intended to remain present for the debate for that item and he voted thereon.)