Issue - meetings

A period of up to one hour is allocated to consider the motions on notice.  This may only be extended with the agreement of the Council.

The Chairman advised that three Motions on Notice had been submitted for this meeting.  However, prior to the meeting, Councillor J. Elledge had withdrawn the Motion that she had submitted to provide the Council and other parties with time to review options for future parking provision on the leisure centre car park.  Further information on this subject would be shared with Members in due course.

Prior to consideration of the Motion in respect of the Winter Fuel Allowance, Councillors R. Bailes, E. Gray and S. Peters left the room.  They did not participate in the debate in respect of this matter nor vote thereon.

Winter Fuel Allowance

The Council considered the following Motion on Notice submitted by Councillor S. Nock.

“BDC  recognises  the  importance  of  the  Winter  Fuel  Allowances  to  all  our  elderly residents.

The Winter Fuel Allowance has historically been a vital lifeline for pensioners, helping them to cope with the increased  costs  of  heating  during  the  cold  winter months. The recent reduction or removal of this allowance will leave many elderly members of  our  community  vulnerable  to  the  harsh  effects  of  cold  weather, exacerbating health issues and leading to an increased risk of illness and mortality.

Background:

1. Impact  of  Cold  Weather  on  the  Elderly: Cold  weather  significantly  affects the  health  and  wellbeing  of  elderly  individuals. Studies  have  shown  that exposure to cold temperatures can lead to serious health complications such as  hypothermia,  increased  blood  pressure,  respiratory  problems,  and exacerbated  chronic  conditions  like  arthritis  and  cardiovascular  diseases.

Moreover, the elderly are often on fixed incomes, making it difficult to absorb the rising costs of energy.

2. Importance of the Winter Fuel Allowance: The Winter Fuel Allowance was designed to mitigate these risks by providing financial assistance specifically for heating costs during the winter months. It has been an essential support mechanism, allowing pensioners to maintain a safe and comfortable living environment.

3. Consequences of the Removal/Reduction of the Allowance: The reduction or removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance will force many elderly individuals to make difficult choices between heating their homes and meeting other essential needs such as food and medication. This will lead to increased cases of cold-related illnesses and a rise in excess winter deaths among the elderly population.

We call upon the Leader of the Council to write a joint letter, signed by all Group Leaders, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer requesting:

• That  the  Government  acknowledges  the  importance  of  the  Winter  Fuel Allowance in protecting the health and wellbeing of pensioners.
• That  the  Government  reinstates  the  Winter  Fuel  Allowance  to  all pensioners as part of the budget statement.
• That  the  Government  commits  to  maintaining  this  allowance  to  prevent future risk to the elderly population during winter months.”

The Motion on Notice was proposed by Councillor Nock and seconded by Councillor B. Kumar.

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Nock commented that the Motion had been brought forward in a context in which within Councillor Nock’s ward alone at least 1,782 residents aged 65 and over would be impacted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52