The following motion has been submitted by Councilor P J Owen on behalf of the Conservative Group:
“This Council notes:
The Labour Government recent decision to restrict Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Council resolves to:
(1) Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those eligible for Pension Credit to help them access the Winter Fuel Payment.
(2) Request that the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and asking the Government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim pension credit are protected from fuel poverty.
(3) Commit the Council to signing the 'Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners' being run by Age UK and urge all members to individually sign the petition.
(4) Encourage 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 the Broxtowe Borough Council area are supported in claiming their entitlement.
Minutes:
The following motion was proposed by Councillor P J Owen and seconded by Councillor D D Pringle:
“This Council notes:
The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
This Council resolves to:
1. Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those eligible for Pension Credit to help them access the Winter Fuel Payment.
2. Request that the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and asking the Government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim pension credit are protected from fuel poverty.
3. Commit the Council to signing the 'Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners' being run by Age UK and urge all members to individually sign the petition.
4. Encourage 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 the Broxtowe Borough Council area are supported in claiming their entitlement.”
An amendment was proposed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and seconded by Councillor G Marshall that the suggested wording be amended to replace the words ‘bring forward’ in the first paragraph with the word ‘continue’, and the word ‘urging’ with the words ‘formally requesting’ in the second paragraph. Councillor P J Owen and Councillor D D Pringle who had seconded the motion, accepted the proposal.
The amended motion was as follows:
“This Council notes:
The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
This Council resolves to:
1. Continue a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those eligible for Pension Credit to help them access the Winter Fuel Payment.
2. Request that the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer formally requesting a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and asking the Government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim pension credit are protected from fuel poverty.
3. Commit the Council to signing the 'Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners' being run by Age UK and urge all members to individually sign the petition.
4. Encourage 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 the Broxtowe Borough Council area are supported in claiming their entitlement.”
A recorded vote was requested and the voting was as follows:
For Against Abstain
P Bales C M Tideswell
L A Ball BEM
R E Bofinger
M Brown
R Bullock
G Bunn
C Carr
A Cooper
T A Cullen
S Dannheimer
H J Faccio
G S Hills
S P Jeremiah
S Kerry
H G Khaled MBE
A Kingdon
H Land
D L MacRae
R D MacRae
T J Marsh
G Marshall
J W McGrath
W Mee
J M Owen
P J Owen
S Paterson
D D Pringle
M Radulovic MBE
H E Skinner
P A Smith
V C Smith
A W G A Stockwell
D K Watts
S Webb
E Williamson
E Winfield
RESOLVED that the motion be carried.