Issue - meetings

To consider a motion – Changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance and protecting Somerset pensions from fuel poverty.

Councillor David Fothergill proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor John Hunt.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:-

·       Send a letter from Councillor Bill Revans, Council Leader, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling on the Government to postpone cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance and for an impact assessment to be undertaken.

·       Commit the Council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.

·       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 Somerset were supported in claiming their entitlement.

·       Work with our Voluntary Charity Faith and Social Enterprise (VCSFE) partners to ensure that a substantial proportion of the Household Support Fund available from 1st October 2024 until 31st March 2025 was spent, awarded and utilised to help people in Somerset who were struggling with fuel poverty.

Councillor David Fothergill introduced the Motion which requested the Council to consider changes being made to the Winter Fuel Allowance and protecting Somerset pensioners from fuel poverty.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillor David Fothergill, as the proposer, introduced the Motion and detailed an amendment that had been put forward by Councillor Sarah Wakefield and Councillor Bill Revans which included some drafting amendments to the recommendations, which the proposer and seconder of the Motion had accepted, so therefore became part of the substantive Motion.

·       Councillor John Hunt, as the seconder, highlighted that he believed the Government had made the wrong decision to remove the winter fuel payments and that he had been contacted by many of his local residents who had raised concern on how they would afford fuel during the winter months.

·       Councillors raised concern on the total withdrawal of the winter fuel allowance scheme.

·       Councillors agreed that Somerset Council needed to take action and show their support for their local residents who had been impacted by this decision.

·       Councillors highlighted the impact it would have on the customer and support services of the Council.

·       Councillors highlighted the different support and benefits customers could claim for during the winter.

·       Councillors raised concern on the most vulnerable residents, who might not realise what support they could claim for.

·       Councillors raised concern on the increased ‘pull’ on the support provided by the Hardship Fund and the impact on the Charity Sector.

·       Councillors agreed that the Motion called for some practical steps to be taken.

·       Councillors raised concern on residents who lived in rural areas, as they would be impacted more by the removal of the winter fuel payments.

Councillor David Fothergill proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor John Hunt. 

Councillor David Fothergill called for a recorded vote to ensure transparency, which was supported by at 15% of members.

The results were 87 FOR the recommendations and 3 ABSTAINED.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:-

·       Send a letter from Councillor Bill Revans, Council Leader, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling on the Government to postpone cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance and for an impact assessment to be undertaken.

·       Commit the Council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.

·       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 Somerset were supported in claiming their entitlement.

·       Work with our Voluntary Charity Faith and Social Enterprise (VCSFE) partners to ensure that a substantial proportion of the Household Support Fund available from 1st October 2024 until 31st March 2025 was spent, awarded and utilised to help people in Somerset who were struggling with fuel poverty.