Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Elledge, D. Hopkins, P. M. McDonald and K. Taylor.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

Councillors E. M. S. Gray and S. J. Webb declared pecuniary interests as Trustees of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB) Redditch and Bromsgrove. They left the room during consideration of a recommendation from the Cabinet pertaining to funding for the CAB, at Minute Item No. 48/24 and took no part in the debate nor vote thereon.

Councillors A. Bailes, R. A. Bailes, S. J. Baxter, D. J. Forsythe, E. M. S. Gray, B. Kumar, B. M. McEldowney, M. Marshall, S. T. Nock, S. R. Peters and P. J. Whittaker declared an other registerable interest in respect of Minute Item No. 52/24 concerning the first Motion on Notice for consideration at the meeting in that they were in receipt of the State Pension and therefore had previously received or were now eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.

Councillors S. T. Nock, S. J. Baxter, D. J. Forsythe, M. Marshall, B. Kumar and B. J. McEldowney stated that they would be participating and voting on this item  in the interest of the residents of Bromsgrove.

Councillor A. Bailes stated that he would stay to listen to the debate but would not be participating nor did he wish to vote on this matter. 

Councillors R. A. Bailes, E.M.S Gray and S. J. Peters all stated that they would leave the meeting room during the consideration of this item.

Councillor S. Ammar declared a pecuniary interest, as Chairman of the Council, with regards to the two recommendations in respect of the Chairman’s expenses, as detailed in the Constitution Review Working Group – Recommendations (minute no. 42/24).  Councillor S. Ammar stated that she would leave the meeting room during the consideration of this item and she took no part in the debate in respect of this matter nor vote thereon.  In her absence, the Vice-Charman chaired the meeting during consideration of this item of business.

During consideration of this item, Councillor C. A. Hotham took the opportunity to express his sincere thanks to all Members for their recent well wishes, support and kind messages.

Chairman

The Chairman made the following announcements:-  

The Chairman’s dinner dance to be held at the Dodford Inn on Friday 18^th October 2024, to help raise money for Age UK.

Haunted Halloween Trail, Sanders Park, Saturday 26^th October 2024, 4:00pm to 9:00pm.

Christmas Lights Switch on –

·       Bromsgrove Centre, Saturday 23^rd November 2024, 5:00pm

·       Rubery High Street, Saturday 30^th November 2024, 5:00pm.

Head of Paid Service

There were no announcements from the Head of Paid Service.

The Leader expressed her sincere thanks to the Chairman and Members of the Artrix Holding Trust and Bromsgrove Community Arts (BCA) for all their hard work, and Group Leaders for all their support.  A three year business opportunity had been secured for the Artrix, which was a well-received venue by residents.

A period of up to 15 minutes is allowed for members of the public to make a comment, ask questions or present petitions.  Each member of the public has up to 3 minutes to do this.  A councillor may also present a petition on behalf of a member of the public.

There were no comments, questions or petitions from members of the public.

The Chairman advised that there had been no urgent decisions since the last meeting of the Council.

It was noted that at this stage in the meeting that the Chairman left the meeting room and that the Vice-Chairman took the Chair for this item.

The Council considered a report setting out proposals for changes to the terms of reference for the Licensing Committee, Licensing Sub-Committee and the Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee, amendments to the Council Procedure Rules in respect of Members’ Questions on Notice; and a proposal for the Chairman’s allowance to be increased.

Councillor K. May presented the report and proposed the recommendations. Councillor S. Baxter seconded the recommendations.

The report detailed the background to recommendations agreed at a meeting of the Constitution Review Working Group (CRWG) held on 31^st July 2024.

Licensing Committee and Licensing Sub-Committees

Licensing Sub-Committees considered issues relating to the Gambling Act 2005 and the Licensing Act 2003. Licensing Sub-Committee hearings were mainly held in the day, with the membership comprising of four members of the Licensing Committee.

During the 2023/24 municipal year, some difficulties were experienced in terms of organising hearings of the Licensing Sub-Committee and Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee. In particular, there were challenges in terms of the availability of Members to participate in these hearings. Group Leaders had been kept informed of the difficulties that had occurred during the 2023/24 municipal year.

The CRWG had noted that Licensing Sub-Committee and Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee hearings were held during the day. This arrangement was in place as sometimes applicants and objectors could arrange to have legal representation at the hearings and this would cost them more if the meetings were held outside of standard working hours.

Some options available to the Council that could address challenges experienced in terms of organising Licensing Sub-Committee meetings had been considered at the CRWG meeting, as detailed in the report.  The Chairman of the Licensing Committee was also consulted with.

Based on the information provided, the CRWG proposed to update the terms of reference for the Licensing Committee, Licensing Sub-Committee and Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee in accordance with the options they had endorsed.

Supplementary Questions at Council

At the meeting of the CRWG held on 31^st August 2023, Members agreed to launch a trial arrangement whereby Councillors who had submitted Questions on Notice for consideration at Council meetings could ask up to one supplementary question at the meeting. The supplementary question had to be based on the original question that was asked or the answer that had been provided to that question.

The CRWG reviewed the outcomes of this trial at the meeting of the group held on 31^st July 2024. There had been general consensus amongst Members that the trial had worked well and that it would be reasonable for this to become a permanent arrangement at Council meetings.

The Chairman’s Allowance

The Chairman of the Council had a civic role at the authority, chairing meetings of full Council and taking part in civic engagements on behalf of the authority.

The allowance paid to the Chairman of the Council had not been increased since  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42\24

At this stage in the meeting the Chairman returned to the meeting room and in doing so expressed her thanks to the Vice-Chairman.

Members received a report on the creation of a Joint Appointments Committee.

Councillor K. May presented the report and proposed the recommendations in the report. Councillor S. Baxter seconded the recommendations.

During the Full Council meeting held on 17^th July 2024 Members had approved the creation of a Joint Appointments Committee (“JAC”). This Committee would operate as a joint committee with Redditch Borough Council pursuant to sections 101 and 102 of the Local Government Act 1972 and carry out the functions of appointing the Chief Executive / Head of Paid Service as well as the Deputy Chief Executive / Section 151 Officer. The JAC would also carry out other employment related functions relating to Joint Statutory Officers.

Following on from that meeting, Officers had continued to work on the establishment of the JAC and had considered in more detail how the Committee could be set up to cover the full range of employment issues that were relevant to jointly employed statutory officers.

With responsibilities passing to the JAC, the existing functions in relation to appointment and dismissal of Joint Statutory Officers, namely the Appointment Committee, the Appeals Panel and the Statutory Officers Disciplinary Panel; would cease to exist. With a Shared Management Team, this was seen as a fair arrangement; the creation of a JAC.

Members were also being asked that delegated powers be given to the Monitoring Officer to finalise the wording of the full Committee reference terms for the JAC.

The disciplinary and dismissal functions which currently sat with the Statutory Officers Disciplinary Panel would be carried out by a standing sub-committee of the JAC. So, there would be added areas of responsibilities for a standing sub-committee of the JAC; and this would include Members from both Councils operating as a panel taken from the main Committee membership.

In response to a query in respect of the possible requirement to have interim Council meetings at both RBC and BDC with the final decision on a new Chief Executive; it was clarified that there would be a full appointments procedure to go through, therefore interim Council meetings at both RBC and BDC would not be required.

RESOLVED that  

1.          the Joint Appointments Committee (JAC) to have a standing sub-committee to deal with disciplinary matters on its behalf, which would replace the current Statutory Officers Disciplinary Panel;

2.          responsibility for the functions carried out by the Appeals Panel and the Statutory Officers Disciplinary Committee be transferred to the JAC and its sub-committee(s); 

3.          the Committee Terms of Reference (Part 5 of the constitution) be updated to reflect the creation of the JAC and the transfer to it of the functions currently carried out by the Appeals Panel, and the Statutory Officers Disciplinary Panel as set out at Appendix A; and

4.          the Monitoring Officer be authorised to update the Constitution, including any consequential amendments required  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43\24

Members were asked to consider proposals in respect of the extension of the fixed-term appointment of Mr Peter Carpenter to enable him to continue in post as the Council’s Section 151 Officer and Deputy Chief Executive.

Councillor K. May presented the report and proposed the recommendations in the report. Councillor S. Baxter seconded the recommendations.

Members were reminded that in December 2023, Council agreed to appoint Mr Carpenter as interim Deputy Chief Executive and interim Executive Director of Resources (Section 151) until 30^th November 2024.

Whilst the recruitment process for the permanent Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources (Section 151) was underway, the Council was still legally required to have a Section 151 officer in place.  However, the recruitment process and appointment into this role would not be completed by 30^th November 2024.

In order to ensure continued stability, it was being proposed that Mr Carpenter continued as Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources (Section 151) until a permanent appointment to the post was made.

Council was therefore being asked to consider continuing the arrangements for Mr Carpenter as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) until such time as a permanent appointment was made to this position and commenced employment with the Council, thereby retaining an experienced officer and strongly mitigating against the risks of loss of knowledge and experience of delivering the statutory section 151 functions.

In response to Councillor H. D. N. Rone-Clarke, Members were reassured that consultants had been appointed to assist with the recruitment and appointment into this senior officer post and that it was not envisaged that a further report would have to be brought back to Council for a further extension of time.  It would be a smooth process; and the Council was now in a good financial position to attract the best candidates and to subsequently permanently appoint the best Section 151 officer.

Members commented that, particularly for the Chairman and as the Vice-Chairman of the Audit, Standards and Governance Committee, Mr Carpenter’s advice and guidance had really helped the Committee with their important work.

RESOLVED that 

Mr Peter Carpenter be appointed as the Deputy Chief Executive and Interim Executive Director of Resources (Section 151) until such time as a new permanent Section 151 Officer commenced employment with the Council.

(Prior to consideration of this item, Mr Pete Carpenter left the meeting room.  He was not present for the debate nor the vote in respect of this item.)

The appendix to this report, detailing the political balance figures, will be published in a supplementary papers pack to this main agenda.

At the start of consideration of this item, Mr Carpenter returned to the meeting room.

The Council considered a report setting out proposals for changes to the political balance of the Council following changes in the membership of political groups as a result of the recent By-Election held for Sidemoor Ward.

Councillor K. May presented the report and proposed the recommendations. Councillor S. Baxter seconded the recommendations.

In considering this item, Members expressed their sincere thanks and well wishes to former Councillor D. G. Stewart and extended a warm welcome to Councillor J. Clarke.

Following some queries raised, Officers explained and clarified the political balance figures.  It was confirmed that these figures had been discussed with each group leader prior to publication of the report and the figures balanced.

During consideration of this item, questions were raised with regard to the election of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees and Boards and how these were distributed amongst representatives of the different political groups.  The suggestion was made that going forward could this be referred to the Constitution Review Working Group (CRWG) to look into in more detail, to inform the process for appointing Chairmen and Vice Chairmen in the 2025/26 municipal year.

Members debated this matter further and it was highlighted that Members nominated and elected the Chairman and Vice Chairman of all Committees and  Boards at the first meetings of those Committees held in a new municipal year.  Therefore, it was down to each individual Committee or Board to determine these positions.

It was also highlighted that the Council’s Constitution had recently been amended to state that the Chairman of the Audit, Standards and Governance Committee and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board “shall where possible not be a member of the political group represented in Cabinet”.

Following a comment made that Members of Councillor Hunter’s group had refused a position of Chairman, a request was received for it to be noted that none of his political group had refused a position of Chairman,  However, it was noted that the offer of the position of Vice-Chairman of the Electoral Matters Committee had been refused due to the recent removal of Councillor Nicholl as Chairman of the Audit, Standards and Governance Committee.  

Reference was made to the process for the nomination and appointment of Chairman and Vice Chairmen at other Councils.  As part of this, it was noted that some local authorities, including Redditch Borough Council, selected their Chairman and Vice-Chairman for their Boards and Committees at their Annual Council meetings.  

RESOLVED that 

1)          for the remainder of the 2024/25 Municipal Year, the Committees set out in the table in Appendix 1 be appointed and that the representation of the different political groups on the Council on those Committees be as set out in that table until the next Annual Meeting of the Council, or until the next review of political representation under Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, whichever is the earlier; and 

2)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45\24

The Chairman of the Audit, Standards and Governance Committee for 2023/2024, Councillor D. J. Nicholl, introduced the Committee’s Annual Report for 2023-24.

Councillor Nicholl explained that during his tenure as Chairman of the Committee during 2023/2024, the Committee had worked really effectively, and that he would like to take the opportunity to express his sincere thanks to Councillor McEldowney for his work as Risk Champion.  Thanks were also extended to Mr. Peter Carpenter for his contribution at a time when the Council was facing financial issues due to the economic climate; which had resulted in the vast bulk of the Committee’s work being around financial issues.

Councillor Nicholl highlighted two areas of work, one of which had previously been pointed out by Councillor S. Collella, when he was Chairman of the Committee for 2022/2023, namely the need to have a lay person on the Committee.

Secondly, the Committee’s role in the Council’s Whistleblowing Policy, which was being worked on.

Councillor Rone-Clarke, current Chairman of the Committee, stated that he echoed Councillor Nicholl’s remarks and would also like to extend his thanks to Councillor Nicholl, Committee Members and officers for an excellent report. He was proud of the quality of debate and cross party working.

Members stated that it was a great report and had emphasised that there were robust audit arrangements in place. Further thanks were extended to Mr Carpenter and the finance team as well as Councillor Worrall, the Parish Council’s representative on the Committee.

RESOLVED that the Annual Report of the Audit, Standards and Governance Committee for 2023-24 be noted.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item; no longer than 10 minutes for  presentation of the report and then up to 3 minutes for each question to be put and answered.

Councillor K. J. May presented the report for part of her portfolio, Strategic Partnerships.  Council was advised that governance, which was another issue within the remit of the Leader, had not been addressed in this report as this had been the subject of a Portfolio Holder Annual Report to Council from a former Cabinet Member presented earlier in the calendar year.

In presenting the report, Councillor May clarified that the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), the Bromsgrove Partnership, was a non-statutory and non-executive partnership comprising a membership representing local organisations.  The operation of the partnership was based on good will and recognised that many organisations could not deliver on their priorities without the co-operation and support of other bodies based in the District.  There was no specific funding attached to the work of the partnership, which comprised both a board and theme groups.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, it had been anticipated that the partnership groups would not need to meet.  However, in reality, the partnership had continued to meet throughout the pandemic, in a virtual setting.  This had provided partner organisations with an opportunity to discuss how to handle various challenges that arose in that context.  In addition, the partnership had been invaluable in collating information required by Worcestershire County Council for the countywide Here to Help service.

In the Corporate Peer Challenge that had been undertaken at Bromsgrove District Council in 2023, Bromsgrove Partnership and partnership working had been highlighted as an outstanding feature of the Council’s work.

There were lots of officers and partner organisations that had contributed constructive work in a strategic partnership environment and thanks were extended to all parties who worked with the Council in respect of this matter.  Particular thanks were extended to the Bromsgrove and Redditch Partnerships Managers and the Bromsgrove and Redditch Partnerships Officer for their hard work.  In addition, the current Chairman of the Bromsgrove Partnership, the Chief Executive of Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT) and the Vice Chairman, a representative of Act On Energy, were thanked for their hard work.  Council was advised that Councillor May was a member of the Bromsgrove Partnership Board, representing Bromsgrove District Council and Councillor S. Webb was also a member of the Board, representing Worcestershire County Council.

Minutes of meetings of the Bromsgrove Partnership Board were being passed on to group leaders for dissemination amongst Members of their groups for consideration.  Discussions were held at Bromsgrove Partnership Board meetings about important matters impacting on the District, with an example highlighted of a recent discussion about the Government’s proposals in respect of Winter Fuel Allowance payments and how information could be disseminated to local residents.  Digital connectivity had also been discussed at a recent meeting with wifi connectivity challenges, particularly in rural parts of the District, having been highlighted.  Members were advised that mobile vans monitoring the wifi in rural areas had subsequently been operating in the District.

Once the report had been presented, the following points were raised during the consideration  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47\24

To consider the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 24^th July 2024.

The Chairman advised that there were two recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 24^th July 2024, which were presented for the Council’s consideration.

Councillor K. J. May drew Members’ attention to the Recommendations, and in doing so provided a brief explanation with regards to the reasons for the recommendations; as detailed in the Background Papers.

Cost of Living Proposal - Update

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor S. Baxter.

In proposing the recommendations, the Leader commented that the proposals had been brought forward after funding had been ring fenced in the budget a few years ago for community use after Members raised concerns about library provision.  No libraries had subsequently been closed.  Therefore, this money was available and could be used instead to help support residents who were suffering due to cost of living challenges.  The funding could be used as seed funding and additional funds would be requested from the National Lottery to help ensure long-term financial support.

Confirmation was provided during consideration of this item that the officer who would be recruited using this funding would be undertaking valuable outreach work.  Efforts would be made as soon as possible to recruit to this position as the value of the role to the community was recognised.

RESOLVED that

1)          from the remaining £150,000 contained within earmarked reserves to support cost of living initiatives, £38,000 be allocated to a Voluntary Sector Money Adviser;

2)          the £62,000 allocation to Citizen’s Advice be amended to fund an Outreach Development Worker through to March 2026.

(Prior to consideration of the recommendations in respect of the Cost of Living, Councillors E. M. S. Gray and S. A. Webb left the room.  They were not present during the debate in respect of this matter nor voted thereon.)

Combined Financial Outturn and Quarter 4 Financial Monitoring Report (Including Update on the Fleet)

At this stage in the meeting, Councillors E. M. S. Gray and S. A. Webb  returned to the meeting room for the consideration of the Combined Financial Outturn and Quarter 4 Monitoring Report 2023/24.

Councillor S. R. Colella then read out the recommendation with regard to the update on the Council’s fleet and provided a brief explanation with regards to the reasons for the recommendation.

During the presentation of the report, Members were advised that in 2021, as part of a review of the Council’s finances, a decision was taken to extend the period in which existing vehicles in the fleet would be used by an extra year before their replacement.  The decision was also taken at that time to invest in maintenance work on the existing vehicle fleet in order to extend the timeframes in which they could be used and therefore minimise the impact on the Council’s capital budget.  It had been envisaged that the savings arising from this approach would enable the authority in the long-term to invest in more energy efficient vehicles, in line with the Council’s aim to reduce carbon  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48\24

The Chairman advised that there were two recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11^th September 2024, which were presented for the Council’s consideration.

Councillor S. R. Collella read out the recommendations and provided a brief explanation with regards to the reasons for the proposals detailed in the report.  Council was informed that the purpose of the report was to set out the Council’s annual outturn for 2023/24 on the Council’s Capital and Treasury Management Strategies, including the prudential indicators.  The Council had adopted the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) code on treasury management.  As a minimum requirement, under this code, the Council was required to consider annual treasury outturn and biannual treasury management update reports.  There was also a requirement under the code to report on the prudential indicators, which were monitored in quarterly finance and performance reports.

The Council had invested funds under the Treasury Management Policy.  This did expose the Council to financial risks, including the potential loss of investment funds and the impact on revenue funds of changing interest rates.  Ongoing monitoring of risks remained central to the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.  Council was advised that the Section 151 Officer had advised that all of the Council’s treasury management activities complied fully with requirements in the code, with one exception.  This had involved a loan to Redditch Borough Council, in quarter 2 of the financial year, which had not been compliant.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Colella and seconded by Councillor B. McEldowney.

Treasury Management Outturn Report

RESOLVED that Council note:

1)          The Council’s Treasury performance for the financial year 2023/24.

2)          The position in relation to the Council’s Prudential Indicators.

Any recommendations included in the minutes for the Cabinet meeting that took place on 17^th July 2024 have already been considered at the Council meeting held on 17^th July 2024.

The minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 17^th and 24^th July and 11^th September 2024 were noted.

At this stage in the meeting the Chairman announced that there would be a ten minute comfort break.

The meeting stood adjourned from 19.30 until 19.43.

To deal with any questions on notice from Members of the Council, in the order in which they have been received.

A period of up to 15 minutes is allocated for the asking and answering of questions.  This may be extended at the discretion of the Chairman with the agreement of the majority of those present.

Having reconvened, the Chairman informed Members that due to personal circumstances that the Monitoring Officer had had to leave the meeting.

The Chairman then advised that four questions on notice had been received for this meeting.

Question submitted by Councillor R. Hunter

“Ahead of the publication of the play audit, will you confirm that Council will continue to invest in maintaining all Council owned playgrounds where there is community support for keeping them, including pocket parks?”

The Leader of the Council responded that “Ahead of the publication of the play audit being considered formally in November, it is confirmed that the council will continue to invest in maintaining all council owned play equipment. The play audit and its investment strategy will be debated in November. In due course it is hoped that there can be an agreed spend on children’s play equipment for the next ten years.”

Question submitted by Councillor D. Nicholl

“On behalf of Council, will you write to the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust to ask what steps they are taking to ensure the reintroduction of parking charges at the Princess of Wales Hospital will not impact on the accessibility of NHS care?”

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Strategic Housing responded that “Thank you for your question. I recognise that access to NHS care is incredibly important for the residents of Bromsgrove. In order to highlight this issue in the most effective way possible, I would suggest that this is an issue that should be raised at a meeting of the Worcestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (known as HOSC). Unlike Bromsgrove District Council, Worcestershire HOSC has powers in relation to scrutiny of health services. This includes the power to make reports and recommendations to relevant NHS bodies, health service providers and the Secretary of State on health services in the authority’s area.

Bromsgrove District Council has a representative on the Worcestershire HOSC, which is currently Councillor Bakul Kumar. I am aware that Councillor Kumar provides regular updates to our Overview and Scrutiny Board on the work of HOSC and he can also raise issues on our behalf at meetings of HOSC.

In this context, I would suggest that Councillor Kumar, as our representative, should be asked to raise the issue highlighted in your question at a meeting of the HOSC as soon as possible.

It should be noted that meetings of HOSC are open to the public to attend to observe proceedings and you may wish to attend some of these meetings to learn more about the issues that they discuss.”

Councillor D. Nicholl subsequently asked the following supplementary question:

“Thank you for your answer.  I’d like to avoid the kind of situation at the Queen Elizabeth where someone may have to pay £10 for parking.  So, my question is, how do they set the price?  However, I recognise that this might be best raised by Councillor Kumar, as our HOSC representative, so I will speak to him about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51\24

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\24

The exempt minute from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11^th September 2024, concerning the Levelling Up project, was considered.  A request was received to ask a question of clarification on the subject of this minute.  However, this subsequently transpired to be a request for an update on progress that had occurred since the meeting.  Officers advised that Council was not in a position to consider matters arising from meetings, and therefore there was no debate in respect of this matter.

(During consideration of this item, Members agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed which related to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)).  However, there is nothing exempt in this minute.)