Agenda item

To consider a Notice of Motion (24/005) proposed by Councillor J Clokey on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group in respect of Winter Fuel Payments.

Consideration was given to a Notice of Motion (24/005) pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No. 5.7 submitted by Cllr Clokey in relation to winter fuel payments (as set out on page 27).

As set out in the Notice, Cllr Clokey proposed, seconded by Cllr Hoskins that: 

(1)            the Chief Executive be instructed to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be immediately paused and introduce a new threshold to determine eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments;

(2)            the Chief Executive be requested to write to all MPs covering Tonbridge and Malling asking them to give their formal support to halting the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility;

(3)            all group leaders within Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council sign a joint letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the new Winter Fuel Payment policy to be suspended and reviewed; and

(4)            the scope of our awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits be urgently extended.  This to include use of council noticeboards, social media, promotion through local press, targeted communications with local voluntary sector partners and investigation of the feasibility of sending targeted letters to those that could be identified as likely to be eligible.

Whilst recognising that the Winter Fuel Payment was a national policy and the Borough Council had limited influence to affect changes, Cllr Boughton proposed, seconded by Cllr Coffin, an amendment to the motion as set out below:

(1)             Given that 22, 217 residents across Tonbridge are affected by the policy, Council instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer condemning the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit. Council further requests the Leader of the Council write to all MPs covering Tonbridge and Malling asking them to condemn the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility;

(2)             Request all group leaders within Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council sign a joint letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer condemning the new Winter Fuel Payment policy, and

(3)             Urgently extend the scope of our awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits. This will include use of council noticeboards, social media, promotion through local press, targeted communications with local voluntary sector partners and investigation of the feasibility of sending targeted letters to those that we can identify as likely to be eligible.

Following a formal vote on the amendment to the motion proposed by Cllr Boughton and seconded by Cllr Coffin there was a majority in favour and this motion was carried and became the substantive motion.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 6.14 there was a proposal from Cllr Hood to sever the substantive motion to enable each of the matters  to be considered separately.  This was seconded by Cllr Cope.

Following a vote the proposal to sever the motion was lost. 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.4 Cllr Hood requested that a recorded vote be undertaken.  This was seconded by Cllr Barton.

The voting on the substantive motion was recorded as follows:

Members voting in favour of the motion:

Cllrs Banks, Bell, Bennison, Betts, Boughton, Boxall, Bridge, Brown, Cannon, Clokey, Coffin, Crisp, Dalton, Davis, Dean, Hammond, Harman, Hickmott, Hoskins, Hudson, Keers, King, Lark, McDermott, Mehmet, Oakley, Palmer, Rhodes, Roud, Tanner, Tatton, Taylor, Thornewell, Tunstall and Williams.

Total:  35

Members voting against the motion:

Cllr Oliver

Total: 1

Members who abstained from voting:

Cllrs Athwal, Barton, Bishop, Cope, Hood, Parry, Pilgrim

Total: 7

(Total Members eligible to vote = 43)

RESOLVED:  That the actions requested by the Notice of Motion (24/005) as amended be agreed.