Agenda item

Councillor Tom Dyer moved the following motion:

 

“The City of Lincoln Council notes:

 

          “The Labour government's reckless decision to slash the Winter Fuel Payment for the vast majority of pensioners, including the 170,000 in Lincolnshire and 12,875 in Lincoln without consideration for the devastating consequences.

 

“The shocking impact of this cut, with Age UK warning that 2 million pensioners who desperately need the money to keep warm this winter will be left out in the cold – among them, thousands in Lincoln.

 

          “The critical importance of Winter Fuel Payments in helping older residents in Lincoln and across the UK afford basic heating during the harshest months, preventing catastrophic ‘heat or eat’ scenarios and safeguarding lives.

 

          “The scathing condemnation from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance, and numerous charities, which have exposed the gross social injustice and the severe health risks that this ill-conceived policy change will inflict on the nation’s elderly.

 

          “The additional burden this decision will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom do not claim Pension Credit despite being eligible, further driving them into poverty and leaving them to suffer in silence.

 

“This Council believes:

 

          “That the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for countless older people in Lincoln, and the government’s decision to rip it away from all but those on Pension Credit will drive many pensioners into severe financial hardship, undermining their health and well-being.

 

“That this reckless decision will force many thousands across Lincoln, who sit just above the Pension Credit cut-off, into an unforgiving position, leaving them struggling to survive as their energy costs increase.

 

“The government’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, especially at such short notice and without providing adequate alternative support, is heartless and demonstrates a shocking disregard for the lives of our most vulnerable older residents.

 

“That the government has utterly failed to address the barriers and stigma which prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving countless elderly people stranded without vital support at a time when they need it most.

 

“Council resolves to:

 

“Immediately launch a Council-led local awareness campaign to inform those eligible for Pension Credit, which in turn could offer some access to Winter Fuel Payments, though this falls far short of addressing the broader crisis caused by the government's decision.

 

“The Council Leader writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lincoln’s MP, condemning this heartless cut to the Winter Fuel Payment, and urging an immediate reversal of the decision to means-test the payment. The Council also calls on the government to provide immediate relief to vulnerable pensioners on low incomes, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit but are struggling with fuel poverty.

 

“Publicly support Age UK’s ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition and urge every Council member to sign and actively promote the petition, as well as calling on other councils across the country to do the same.

 

“Step up efforts within the Council to promote Pension Credit uptake by engaging directly with local charities, community groups, and other partners, ensuring that every eligible pensioner in Lincolnshire receives the financial support they are entitled to, in spite of the government’s callous disregard for their well-being.”

 

The above motion was seconded by Councillor Rachel Storer, who reserved her right to speak.

 

The following amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Naomi Tweddle:

 

“Delete all after “The City of Lincoln Council notes:..” and insert:

 

“That due to the previous Conservative Government’s mismanagement of the economy which left a vast hole in the country’s finances, the incoming Government has introduced means testing for Winter Fuel Allowance payments.

 

“That the previous government utterly failed to address the barriers and stigma which prevented eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit.

 

“Council notes that our local authority has a strong record on providing cost of living support and reducing inequality in the City, consistently over a number of years.  This has previously been reflected in the Council winning a national award for its work to reduce poverty in the city.

 

“Let’s reduce inequality remains one of our strategic priorities and we continue to carry out a huge amount of work to help our residents through the cost-of-living crisis, generated by the failings of the previous Conservative Government.

 

“This work has included and continues to include:

 

“Distribution of more than £2 million to individual residents and organisations via the Household Support Fund to help alleviate fuel and food poverty including more than 13,000 individual awards. Council notes that the Labour Government has extended the Household Support Fund until March 2025 which will help further support those in need in Lincoln this winter.

 

“Distribution of the Council Tax energy rebate, the energy bill support scheme and Discretionary Housing Payments.

 

“One of the most generous Council Tax Support Scheme in the country.

 

“Funding a full-time Cost of Living Co-Ordinator role to further ensure dedicated resource is in place to alleviate cost of living pressures, including pensioner, child and fuel poverty.

 

“The Welfare Team continues to be proactive in contacting those who may benefit from the Pension Credit and is working with Partners to publicise support available. The Council will continue to lead on this via the Lincolnshire Financial Inclusion Partnership.

 

“Noting that the means testing of Winter Fuel Allowance Payments was not a decision within our control the Council resolves to:

 

·             “Continue to carry out a campaign to further encourage the take up of Pension Credits and to direct residents to additional local support available to older people across the city.

·             “To assess where the Council might be able to provide further support to those affected by the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment

·             “Carry out a refresh of the authority’s anti-poverty strategy and work with partners, including Acts Trust, Local Motion and Bridge Church, to further assist residents who are struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis generated by the previous Conservative Government.

·             “Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lincoln’s MP expressing our concern about the lack of take up of Pension Credit and therefore the ability of poorer pensioners to access the Winter Fuel Payment.”

 

The above amendment was seconded by Councillor Rebecca Longbottom, who reserved her right to speak.

 

During discussion of the amendment, the following points were noted:

 

• It was confirmed by the City Solicitor that the amendment was valid and in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and there was no requirement to share amendments in advance of the Council meeting.

 

Note: At this stage in proceedings, the meeting adjourned for ten minutes to enable councillors to read the amendment.

 

• Some councillors challenged the amendment and felt it was in poor taste to delete entire text and replace it with their owning wording, despite it being constitutionally permissible, as in essence it had changed the meaning behind the motion. A councillor commented for this reason they would not support the amendment.
• It was commented that the changes in Winter Fuel Payments was ill-timed, particularly when the Government had also committed to inflation busting pay rises within the NHS.

 

Councillor Rebecca Longbottom, who had reserved her right to speak, advised that the amendment reflected a truer picture as to what was happening in Lincoln, rather than the original motion which was generic and did not take into account this situation locally.

 

Councillor Dyer, who had moved the original motion, was invited to give his right of reply. He was disappointed that the amendment had not been shared by the Leader of the Council with opposition group leaders in advance of the meeting. Furthermore it was felt that the changes in Winter Fuel Payments were not supporting the country’s most vulnerable and it was being used as a way of funding the ‘black hole’ at the expense of pensioners.

 

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion.

 

The Leader of the Council, who had moved what had become the substantive motion, was invited to give her right of reply. She reiterated that the motion accurately reflected the position in Lincoln and also reflected on all of the Conservative cuts which had been carried out during their time in Government. The Leader reiterated that this decision was not taken locally and was a decision by the Labour Government, who were having to make difficult decisions nationally, owing to the situation it had been left with.

 

Upon the substantive motion being put to the vote, it was

 

RESOLVED

 

That the City of Lincoln Council notes:

 

That due to the previous Conservative Government’s mismanagement of the economy which left a vast hole in the country’s finances, the incoming Government has introduced means testing for Winter Fuel Allowance payments.

 

That the previous government utterly failed to address the barriers and stigma which prevented eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit.

 

Council notes that our local authority has a strong record on providing cost of living support and reducing inequality in the City, consistently over a number of years. This has previously been reflected in the Council winning a national award for its work to reduce poverty in the city.

 

Let’s reduce inequality remains one of our strategic priorities and we continue to carry out a huge amount of work to help our residents through the cost-of-living crisis, generated by the failings of the previous Conservative Government.

 

This work has included and continues to include:

 

Distribution of more than £2 million to individual residents and organisations via the Household Support Fund to help alleviate fuel and food poverty including more than 13,000 individual awards. Council notes that the Labour Government has extended the Household Support Fund until March 2025 which will help further support those in need in Lincoln this winter.

 

Distribution of the Council Tax energy rebate, the Energy Bill Support Scheme and Discretionary Housing Payments.

 

One of the most generous Council Tax Support Scheme in the country.

 

Funding a full-time Cost of Living Co-Ordinator role to further ensure dedicated resource is in place to alleviate cost of living pressures, including pensioner, child and fuel poverty.

 

The Welfare Team continues to be proactive in contacting those who may benefit from the Pension Credit and is working with Partners to publicise support available. The Council will continue to lead on this via the Lincolnshire Financial Inclusion Partnership.

 

Noting that the means testing of Winter Fuel Allowance Payments was not a decision within our control the Council resolves to:

 

• Continue to carry out a campaign to further encourage the take up of Pension Credits and to direct residents to additional local support available to older people across the city.
• To assess where the Council might be able to provide further support to those affected by the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment
• Carry out a refresh of the authority’s anti-poverty strategy and work with partners, including Acts Trust, Local Motion and Bridge Church, to further assist residents who are struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis generated by the previous Conservative Government.
• Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lincoln’s MP expressing our concern about the lack of take up of Pension Credit and therefore the ability of poorer pensioners to access the Winter Fuel Payment.