Agenda and draft minutes

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation from the requirement to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

The Chair stated that members would not need to declare any interests to the reconvened meeting if they previously declared them at the meeting of 19 September 2024.

Councillor A Holdsworth declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are employed by a Charity.

Councillor J O’Shea declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

Members who previously declared on 19 September 2024 were:

Councillor B Burdis declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

Councillor E Darke declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

Councillor D Drummond declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they have a relation employed by the CAB, and is on their Board of Trustees.

Councillor J Harrison declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

Councillor J Hunter declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

Councillor N Huscroft declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

Councillor D Lilly declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

Councillor F Lott declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

Councillor W Lott declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as their partner is of State Pension age.

Mayor N Redfearn declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

Councillor J Wallace declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 3 Motion 1 as they are of State Pension age.

A valid Motion on Notice, signed by at least three Members of the Council, has been received for consideration at this meeting.

The Chair reminded members present that at the meeting of 19 September 2024, a motion relating to winter fuel payments was moved by Councillor L Bones, who reserved the right to reply, and seconded by Councillor J Johnsson, and was spoken to as mover and seconder. 

The motion was that:

North Tyneside Council notes:

·       The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

·       The estimated impact of this decision, which is expected to result in up to 2 million older people who are entitled to them losing their annual winter fuel payments, valued at up to £300 each – including thousands of pensioners across North Tyneside.

·       The significant role that Winter Fuel Payments play in helping older residents of North Tyneside and across the UK afford heating during the coldest months, thereby preventing 'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.

·       The criticism from Age UK and other charities, highlighting the social injustice and potential health risks posed by this sudden policy change.

·       The additional strain this decision will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom do not claim Pension Credit despite being eligible, further exacerbating their financial hardship.

·       The Household Support Fund, established by the Conservative government, has provided millions in additional support to families across North Tyneside, including funding for school holiday food vouchers for children in receipt of free school meals. This has now been extended by the government until April 2025.

North Tyneside Council believes:

·       While some pensioners currently in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment may not require it, many thousands across North Tyneside sit just above the cut-off for Pension Credit and will now lose their allowance.

·       The decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, especially with such short notice and without adequate compensatory measures, is deeply unfair and will disproportionately affect the health and well-being of our poorest older residents.

·       The government’s approach fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving many without the support they desperately need.

·       The North East is one of the coldest regions in the country and, as a coastal area, North Tyneside feels the extremities of that cold. This means pensioners in North Tyneside tend to rely more heavily on their heating during the winter months than in other parts of the country.

·       The Household Support Fund has been a much-needed lifeline for families across North Tyneside, offering grants to help with food and energy bills, increased crisis support payments, support for local food banks and community food support groups, vouchers for free school meals in the school holidays, and grants to help parents with the costs of school uniforms.

North Tyneside Council asks the Mayor to:

·       Write to the Chancellor asking her to reconsider her decision to limit the Winter Fuel Payment to those in receipt of Pension Credit, and to explore options to broaden the eligibility base within her new  ...  view the full minutes text for item C43/24