Agenda item
Motion A: Winter Fuel Payments - Proposed by Councillor Thomas Ashby, Seconded by Councillor Michele Mead
This Council deplores the government’s decision to cut Winter Fuel Payments (WFPs). Age UK estimates that the government’s changes to WFPs could hit 2 million people across the country, who badly need the money to stay warm this winter.
This Council resolves to:
1. Request that the Executive considers a report from officers with proposals for launching a District awareness campaign working with our local NHS partners, and charitable, civic and religious groups, to encourage elderly residents who are eligible for means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit to register and claim them to ensure that they continue to receive WFPs this Winter;
2. Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging a review of the government’s precipitous decision to means-test WFPs without public consultation and asking HM Treasury to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who are eligible for, but who do not – or cannot – claim, other benefits under current thresholds are protected from fuel poverty.
Minutes:
Councillor Thomas Ashby, proposer of the original motion as listed on the agenda, stated that they had accepted the amendment to the motion, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting.
The tabled amendment, proposed by Councillor Alaric Smith and seconded by Councillor Andrew Prosser, sought a cross-party consensus to promoting a district awareness campaign working with local NHS partners, Parish Councils and charitable, civic and religious groups, to encourage elderly residents who are eligible for means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, to register and claim Pension credit to ensure that they continue to receive Winter Fuel Payments (WFPs) during the Winter, and to ensure that those in need are sign-posted to the continuing Household Support Fund.
The tabled amendment also sought to request that the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, urging an impact assessment of the government’s decision to means test WFPs without public consultation and asking HM Treasury to examine transitional measures to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who are eligible for, but who do not – or cannot – claim, other benefits under current thresholds are protected from fuel poverty.
In the debate of the substantive motion (as amended), members stated that the decision by Government would mean that 22,000 pensioners across the West Oxfordshire district would become worse off, and that a collaborative approach to requesting that the Government means-test WFPs was the right approach and made sense.
Members agreed that WFPs should be means-tested, and also highlighted that communications had been sent out to residents by individual councillors to ensure that residents were signposted to the appropriate support where required. Members also stated that they would consult with their individual Town and Parish Councils to help signpost support to residents.
Members highlighted the Household Support Fund, and said that the fund could also give residents the help they were entitled to, and also encouraged all residents of the district to apply for help, even if they were unsure of entitlements. Members also reminded the Council of the ongoing Cost-of-Living Crisis and further emphasised the need for communications to be disseminated to residents regarding the financial help and support that was available during the winter months.
Members referenced the history of the WFPs, stating it was a Labour government who introduced the WFPs in 1997 as part of a series of measures introduced to tackle pensioner poverty. Members also stated that several previous governments have reviewed the modelling of WFPs and whether it was the best use of limited public funds.
Members stated that there would be many ‘not-well-off’ pensioners in the district who would lose out as a result of the decision taken by Government, and that an impact assessment and the means testing of WFPs was the right approach to attempt to tackle inequality.
Members highlighted that communication with residents had already taken effect on the subject matter, with a number of Councillors having received contact from residents regarding WFPs and questions about what the impact that the government’s decision would mean for them. Members also called for a unanimous voice when liaising with residents and those across the wider district when it came to signposting available support.
Members also referenced a vote that had taken place on the subject matter in the House of Commons, where Liberal Democrat MPs had voted against the government’s decision, and reaffirmed the need for Council to work together to ensure that Pension Credit could be accessed more effectively.
Councillor Michele Mead, seconder of the substantive motion thanked members for their contributions to the debate and for their support to the motion that had been tabled. Councillor Mead also highlighted communications received from residents, emphasising that it was proof of the strength of feeling on the issue. Councillor Mead also advised Council of the unfortunate conversation had with a neighbour regarding the subject matter which had arisen as a result of the government’s decision.
Councillor Mead highlighted that the affected generation of people
tended to be very proud and may shy away from admitting that they
were struggling, and urged all Councillors to consider these people
when providing help towards support and information.
At the request of Councillor Michele Mead, a recorded vote was taken on the substantive motion (as amended) in accordance with Section 17.6, Part 5A of the Constitution (Council Procedure Rules). All 11 Conservative Group members present voted in favour a recorded vote, as outlined by Section 17.6.
FOR the proposition – Councillors:
J Aitman, L Arciszewska, T Ashby, A Beaney, M Brooker, A Clements, A Coles, D Cooper, J Cooper, R Crouch, J Doughty, G Early, D Enright, P Godfrey, A Goodwin, A Graham, D Jackson, E James, N King, L Leffman, N Leverton, D Levy, A Lyon, P Marsh, C Maynard, S McCarroll, M Mead, D Melvin, R Pearson, E Poskitt, A Prosser, N Ridpath, C Rylett, G Saul, S Simpson, A Smith, R Smith, S Veasey, L Walker, M Walker, A Walsh and A Wray.
There were 42 votes in favour, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions, with 6 Members not in attendance and one vacancy following Councillor Poole’s resignation. The vote was carried.
Council Resolved to pass the following Motion:
This Council notes the government’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments (WFPs). Age UK estimates that the government’s changes to WFPs could hit 2 million people across the country, some of whom badly need the money to stay warm this winter. This Council also notes the parlous state of the Public Finances that the new Government has inherited.
This Council resolves to:
- Request that the Executive considers a report from officers with proposals for promoting a District awareness campaign working with our local NHS partners, Parish Councils and charitable, civic and religious groups, to encourage elderly residents who are eligible for means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit to register and claim them to ensure that they continue to receive WFPs this Winter and to ensure that those in need are sign-posted to the continuing Household Support Fund;
- Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging an impact assessment of the government’s decision to means test WFPs and asking HM Treasury to examine transitional measures to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who are eligible for, but who do not – or cannot – claim, other benefits under current thresholds are protected from fuel poverty.
Supporting documents:
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