(a)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Bell

“Winter Fuel Allowance

This council notes the recent announcement by the new Labour Government to end universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility to only those in receipt of Pension Credits and other benefits. We thank our MP, and other Liberal Democrat MPs, for the work they have done in Parliament in highlighting many peoples shared concerns regarding this decision. 

Though many agree that universal Winter Fuel Payments have been poorly administered in the past, Council is deeply concerned that many pensioners on lower and middle incomes as well as working pensioners will now not receive the payments and have had inadequate time to budget for this loss in the coming months. Across England and Wales the number of people eligible for winter fuel payments will fall by 10 million (from 11.4 million to 1.5 million). In addition Council further notes that the Energy Price Cap is due to rise by 10% in October, which combined by the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push many local pensioners further into fuel poverty. As well as the hardship on local pensioners, this will create an additional burden on healthcare services over the winter months due to many more pensioners struggling to meet the increased cost of eating and heating. 

In North Devon the number of pensioners is around 22,000 (23% of our population). After the cut, only around 2,400 pensioners will continue to receive the allowance.

Council believes that the Government has set the threshold at which pensioners do not qualify for Winter Fuel Payments far too low. Only those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples) are eligible for pension credits. This is significantly lower than the living wage rate. It also means that pensioners who continue to work through necessity to top up their pension, will be losing out because of their continued hard work. If the winter fuel payment cut is to go ahead then a more sensible metric is required to allow the government to more precisely ensure that fuel allowance is paid to everyone who requires it. 

In addition, Council is also concerned by the low take up of pension credit with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving them – this equates to over 1,000 North Devon pensioners. North Devon Council recognises the role we have to play to increase awareness of benefits such as Pension Credit and also the Household Support Scheme to ensure people are aware of the support they are entitled to.

Council resolves to:

·         Instruct the Leader of the Council 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.

·         Request all North Devon Council group leaders sign the above letter to show our support for this measure.

·         Urgently commence a significant awareness campaign through  ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Please telephone the Corporate and Community Services team to prepare a form for your signature before the meeting. Interests must be re-declared when the item is called. A declaration of interest under the Code of Conduct will be a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, an Other Registrable Interest or a Non-Registrable Interest.  If the item directly relates to your interest you must declare the interest and leave the room for the item, save in the case of Other Registrable Interests or Non-Registrable Interests where you may first speak on the item as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak.  If the matter does not directly relate to your interest but still affects it then you must consider whether you are affected to a greater extent than most people and whether a reasonable person would consider your judgement to be clouded, if you are then you must leave the room for the item (although you may speak as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak) or, if you are not, then you can declare the interest but still take part).

Report by Leader of the Council (attached).

Questions to the Leader or the Chair of a Committee submitted under Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, paragraph 10.4 of the Constitution.

Report by Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive to the Strategy and Resources Committee on 5 August 2024 (attached).

To receive the report of the Policy Development Committee held on 12 September 2024 (attached).

To receive the report of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 5 August 2024 (attached).

Councillor Wilkinson, Lead Member for Coastal Communities to report.

To consider the appointment of a Councillor to replace Councillor Roome on the Devon Districts Forum for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty.

To consider the appointment of a Councillor to replace Councillor Roome on the Northern Devon Growth Board for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty.

To consider the appointment of a Councillor to replace Councillor Roome on the North Devon+ who would be required to act as a Director of the company for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty.

To consider the appointment of a Councillor to replace Councillor Roome on One Ilfracombe who would be required to act as a Director of the company for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty.

Following the amendment to Part 3, Annexe 1, paragraph 6 of the Constitution which states:

“In addition to 5 Members, (at least one of which shall be a Ward Member for Ilfracombe East and one shall be the Ward Member for Lynton and Lynmouth), 5 Independent Members (who are not Members of the Council) are appointed to provide experience and expertise in harbour management.”

It is RECOMMENDED that an additional Member who is the Ward Member for Lynton and Lynmouth be appointed to the Harbour Board for the 2024/25 municipal year.

To consider whether to change the date of the meeting of Council that was scheduled to be held on Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 6.30 pm to be held on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 6.30 pm instead as the original date is the day prior to the Devon County Council elections.

To consider the recommendation of the Governance Committee held on 23 September 2024 (attached).

Council is recommended to note the schedule of Committee minutes and approve recommendations as listed below:

(i)             25 July 2024

(i)             6 August 2024

a.    Minute 20: Formation of the Ilfracombe Harbour Advisory Committee

(i)             26 June 2024

(ii)            3 July 2024

(i)             18 July 2024

(ii)            12 September 2024 (attached)

(i)             5 August 2024

(ii)            2 September 2024

a.    Minute 50: Abandoned Vehicles – Devolved Power Partnership DVLA

b.    Minute 52: Pavement Licensing Legislative Amendments and Variation to Fees

c.     Minute 54: Local Authority Housing Fund Round 3

Nil.