(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 all available media to maximise uptake of pension credits and the availability of household support fund. It is expected that all councillors will return to their Parish and Town Councils to maximise uptake of essential local support as well as supporting parish and town “warm space” initiatives.”

(b)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Maskell

This Council notes:

1. The proposal to remove Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) from pensioners who do not claim Pension Credit or other means tested benefits has the potential to disproportionately affect our most vulnerable residents, particularly those in rural communities. Over 63% of those eligible for Pension Credit nationally are claiming it, leaving over 800,000 not doing so. The Energy Price Cap is due to rise by 10% in October, which combined with the removal of the WFP, will push many local pensioners into poverty.

2. Rural pensioners often live in older, less energy-efficient housing, with over 70% of rural homes in the UK built before 1980. These homes are typically harder and more expensive to heat due to poor insulation and outdated heating systems.

3. Excess winter deaths (EWD) remain a serious concern, with over 30,000 EWDs recorded in the UK each year, disproportionately affecting older populations. Public Health England reports a 1.5% increase in EWDs for every degree Celsius drop below 18 degrees, underscoring the critical need for adequate heating.

4. That all pensioners deserve to live in warm, safe homes, and that removing support will increase the risk of cold-related illnesses and excess winter deaths amount our elderly population.

This Council resolves to:

1. Condemn the proposal to remove the Winter Fuel Payment from pensioners who do not claim Pension Credit or other benefits, recognising the disproportionate impact this will have on our most vulnerable residents, particularly those in rural communities.

2. Commits to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Community and Local Government to ask for funding for a local advertising and outreach campaign to raise awareness about Pension Credit and other benefits, targeting pensioners who may be eligible but are not currently claiming.

(a)  and (b) To consider notices of motion from Councillor Bell and Councillor Maskell

The Chair advised that the two notices of motion submitted in relation to the Winter Fuel Payments were similar and suggested that Councillor Bell’s notice of motion be amended to incorporate paragraph 2 of Councillor Maskell’s notice of motion.

Councillor Bell presented his notice of motion to Council and moved the notice of motion subject to the inclusion of paragraph 2 of Councillor Maskell’s notice of motion.

An amendment was moved by Councillor P. Leaver and seconded by Councillor C. Leaver “Councillor Bell’s notice of motion subject to the inclusion of paragraph 2 of Councillor Maskell’s notice of motion and that the Strategy and Resources Committee be requested to look at how the Household Support fund could be used to help pensioners who fall just outside of pension credit”.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources advised that Government guidance for the Household Support fund was expected shortly and that once the guidance had been received, further work could be carried out on modelling options for the allocation of the Household Support Fund to be considered by the Strategy and Resources Committee. 

Councillor Maskell advised Council that she would be happy to support the amended motion with the inclusion of paragraph 2 of her notice of motion.  She advised that all MPs should be thanked for their work and not just Liberal Democrat MPs and requested that reference to Liberal Democrat MPs was removed from the notice of motion.

Councillor Bell advised that he was happy to take on board the amendment proposed by Councillor P. Leaver and the removal of the wording “other Liberal Democrat” within his motion.

The Chief Executive advised that in relation to paragraph 2 of Councillor Maskell’s notice of motion, the Council had already written to 280 households where the Council were aware their declared income was below the threshold and they were not claiming Pension Credit. The Council had also undertaken a social media campaign.

In response to a question, the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources advised that the Council had been proactive in contacting households and that he was not aware of any other Councils taking this approach.  Devon County Council had highlighted it as an example of good practice to other Councils.

Following discussions by Council, the Chief Executive clarified the amended wording of the notice of motion.

The amended wording of the motion was taken on board by Councillor Bell and seconded by Councillor Maskell “that Councillor Bell’s notice of motion be adopted subject to:

·       First point for Council to note to amend to remove the wording “Liberal Democrat”.

·       Additional point be added for Council to note (bullet point of Councillor Maskell’s notice of motion) “Rural pensioners often live in older, less energy-efficient housing, with over 70% of rural homes in the UK built before 1980. These homes are typically harder and more expensive to heat due to poor insulation and outdated heating systems.”

·       First bullet point wording be amended “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” to also include the Secretary of State for Housing, Community and Local Government;

·       Third bullet point be amended to amend and delete wording “Urgently commence a Continue its significant awareness campaign through all available media to maximise uptake of pension credits and the availability of household support fund. It is expected that all councillors will return to their Parish and Town Councils to maximise uptake of essential local support as well as supporting parish and town “warm space” initiatives.”

·       That the Strategy and Resources Committee be requested to look at how the Household Support fund could be used to help pensioners who fall just outside of pension credit.

The motion was carried.

RESOLVED that:

(a)  This council notes:

a.    the recent announcement by the new Labour Government to end universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility to only those in receipt of 2 Pension Credits and other benefits. We thank our MP, and other MPs, for the work they have done in Parliament in highlighting many peoples shared concerns regarding this decision.

b.    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.

c.     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.

d.    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.

e.    Rural pensioners often live in older, less energy-efficient housing, with over 70% of rural homes in the UK built before 1980. These homes are typically harder and more expensive to heat due to poor insulation and outdated heating systems.

f.      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.

(b)  That the Leader of the Council be instructed to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Housing, Community and Local Government 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.

(c)  That all North Devon Council group leaders be requested to sign the above letter to show our support for this measure.

(d)  Continue its significant awareness campaign through all available media to maximise uptake of pension credits and the availability of household support fund. It is expected that all councillors will return to their Parish and Town Councils to maximise uptake of essential local support as well as supporting parish and town “warm space” initiatives.”

(e)  That the Strategy and Resources Committee be requested to look at how the Household Support fund could be used to help pensioners who fall just outside of pension credit.