The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:

 

Motion received from Councillor Gwilym Butler and supported by the Conservative Group

 

Motion to ask The Government to reverse the decision to remove Winter Fuel Payments to Pensioners.

 

We were shocked by the recent announcement by the new Labour Government to stop payments to pensioners of the Winter Fuel Payments unless they are on Pension Tax Credits.

 

In Shropshire we have 82,000 people over 65 representing 25.3% of the population against the England National average of 20.7% of people over 65.

 

With the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment Shropshire will be adversely affected more than most counties across the country due to our demographics and higher percentage of pensioners. It is compounded in a very rural county with many communities not on the National Gas Grid resulting in alternative fuels for heating at greater cost. We already have many pensioners in Fuel Poverty and the result of this withdrawal will result with many more. The outcome of this will then create further pressures on the local NHS and Social Care compounding the problem making the Governments decision a false economy and push many pensioners into an additional cost of living crisis.

 

 

We therefore instruct the Leader to write to Rachel Reeves MP Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer to request she:

 

Reverse her decision on the removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance

 

If the Chancellor is not minded to reverse the decision we ask that the income level at which Pension Tax Credit can be obtained should be increased significantly to protect those less well off in our Rural Community, specifically those just about managing.

 

We note The Household Support Grant has been extended until April 2025. This now needs to be substantially increased to take into account the pensioners who will now be apply for the scheme which is already over subscribed dealing with the poverty across all demographics in Shropshire.

 

Change the system within DWP so that when applicants apply and qualify for benefits they are automatically flagged for Council Tax relief with their Local Authority .

 

This was seconded by Councillor Simon Harris.

 

By way of amendment Councillor Julian Dean proposed the following

 

Add: 

Council calls on the relevant cabinet members to organise the provision of advice, guidance and direct support to those who may be eligible for pension credits ahead of the final deadline of 21st December to claim – and therefore receive winter fuel payments by: 

 

·       Identifying through council tax and other data people who may be eligible. 

·       Providing information and practical support to those identified to claim pension credits, without relying entirely on online routes of communication. 

·       Mobilising Shropshire Local venues and staff, as well as other appropriate venues and staff – such as the Affordable Warmth team, to provide information, guidance and direct support to those who may be eligible to claim pension credits. 

·       Providing support and advice to town and parish councils that may be in a position to provide further support. 

·       Working with STAR housing, local Housing Associations and other partners to help maximise uptake of pension credit e.g. placing appropriate leaflets in pharmacies.  

·       Using press and social media to provide guidance and support. 

 

We further ask portfolio holders to investigate working with Policy in Practice to make use of their Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT) tool, which combines council data with modelling to identify households in need for future interventions and to support council policy making. 

 

Councillor Butler indicated that he was willing to accept the amendment.

 

By way of amendment Councillor Rosemary Dartnall proposed the following

 

Remove 1. It is factually incorrect. 

 

Before “Instruct the Leader” add, 

 

• Shropshire Council will promote proactively Pension Credit, as was done previously for the Liz Truss Cost-of Living Crisis by contacting residents likely to be eligible, producing online and printed information for councillors and others to help members of their community. 

• Shropshire Council will exempt pensioners on Pension Credit from the Green Waste Tax and continue to provide the service free of charge. This exemption will be considered for other financially vulnerable groups.  

 

This was seconded by Councillor Kate Halliday

 

On taking a vote Councillor Dartnall’s amendment was not supported.

 

Councillor Butler’s motion with the amendment he had accepted from Councillor Dean was then put to a recorded vote with 46 Members voting for and 5 abstentions as follows

 

FOR:

 

Councillors Aldcroft, Anderson, Bardsley, Barrow, Bentick, Biggins, Bird, Broomhall, Burchett, Butler, Carroll, Davies, Dean, Elner, D Evans, J Evans, R Evans, Gittins, Green, Harris, Hartin, Hignett, Houghton, Hunt, Hurst- Knight, M Jones, S Jones, Kerr, Luff, Lumby, Macey, Motley, Mullock, Nellins, Parry, Picton, Schofield, Sherrington, Taylor, Thomas, Tindall, Towers, Wild, B Williams, Wilson and Wynn

 

ABSTENTION:

 

Councillors Bagnall, Connolly, Dartnall, Halliday, and Pardy,

 

It wasRESOLVED:

 

We were shocked by the recent announcement by the new Labour Government to stop payments to pensioners of the Winter Fuel Payments unless they are on Pension Tax Credits.

 

In Shropshire we have 82,000 people over 65 representing 25.3% of the population against the England National average of 20.7% of people over 65.

 

 With the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment Shropshire will be adversely affected more than most counties across the country due to our demographics and higher percentage of pensioners. It is compounded in a very rural county with many communities not on the National Gas Grid resulting in alternative fuels for heating at greater cost. We already have many pensioners in Fuel Poverty and the result of this withdrawal will result with many more. The outcome of this will then create further pressures on the local NHS and Social Care compounding the problem making the Governments decision a false economy and push many pensioners into an additional cost of living crisis.

 

We therefore instruct the Leader to write to Rachel Reeves MP Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer to request she:

 

Reverse her decision on the removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance

 

If the Chancellor is not minded to reverse the decision we ask that the income level at which Pension Tax Credit can be obtained should be increased significantly to protect those less well off in our Rural Community, specifically those just about managing.

 

We note The Household Support Grant has been extended until April 2025. This now needs to be substantially increased to take into account the pensioners who will now be apply for the scheme which is already over subscribed dealing with the poverty across all demographics in Shropshire.

 

Change the system within DWP so that when applicants apply and qualify for benefits they are automatically flagged for Council Tax relief with their Local Authority .

 

Council calls on the relevant cabinet members to organise the provision of advice, guidance and direct support to those who may be eligible for pension credits ahead of the final deadline of 21st December to claim – and therefore receive winter fuel payments by: 

 

·       Identifying through council tax and other data people who may be eligible. 

·       Providing information and practical support to those identified to claim pension credits, without relying entirely on online routes of communication. 

·       Mobilising Shropshire Local venues and staff, as well as other appropriate venues and staff – such as the Affordable Warmth team, to provide information, guidance and direct support to those who may be eligible to claim pension credits. 

·       Providing support and advice to town and parish councils that may be in a position to provide further support. 

·       Working with STAR housing, local Housing Associations and other partners to help maximise uptake of pension credit e.g. placing appropriate leaflets in pharmacies.  

·       Using press and social media to provide guidance and support. 

 

We further ask portfolio holders to investigate working with Policy in Practice to make use of their Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) tool, which combines council data with modelling to identify households in need for future interventions and to support council policy making. 

 

Motion received from Councillor Andy Boddington and supported by the Liberal Democrat Group

 

The Chairman advised the meeting that this motion had been withdrawn

 

 

Motion received from Councillor Julian Dean and supported by the Green Group

 

New government, new relationship

 

This council recognises that the election of a new government is an opportunity to reset the relationship between central and local government. Shropshire Council reminds all our MPs and the new government of the central role local government can play in delivering stronger and safer communities, local economies that are sustainable and inclusive and that eliminate climate wrecking reliance on fossil fuels, and an environment that helps nature to recover.

 

If our communities are to have access to truly affordable homes, then councils need access to funds to build council homes – at no time has the private market alone delivered the homes we need. Councils must determine true housing need. ‘Affordable’ definitions must change to reflect income levels not housing market rents. Profit guarantees must no longer trump local needs or environmental concerns. Communities must retain the right to shape their future development.

 

If top tier authorities are to avoid financial meltdown, then social care and children’s services pressures need addressing with cash. Government must no longer kick the can down the road on social care funding reform.

 

If councils are to ensure existing homes of all tenure types are fit for the future, address transport inequality and decarbonisation and support nature recovery then capacity needs to be rebuilt and more skilled and respected professionals need to be attracted to local government.

 

If communities are to be truly in control of their future then devolution arrangements must be determined ‘bottom-up’ rather than as a disguised form of government imposed reorganisation.

 

In the forthcoming spending review it is not tenable try to squeeze more from the existing council tax system, robbing Peter to pay Paul to overcome unfair funding between councils or making struggling householders pay more for less. Reform of local government funding is long overdue in order to provide essential financial resources, fairly raised, to deliver a better future.

 

We call on the new Government to deliver on its promised new partnership with local government by engaging constructively with the sector as equal partners.

 

This was seconded by Councillor Duncan Kerr

 

On taking a vote the motion was unanimously supported