Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor C McGinty and seconded by Councillor J Johnsson, who reserved the right to speak, that:
The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) is deeply concerned about projected poverty levels following statements from the Secretary of State. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has acknowledged that up to 100,000 pensioners in England and Wales could fall into poverty because of cuts to winter fuel payments. The NPC is shocked by the government’s admission.
Water bills are projected to increase by an average of 36% over the next five years, which will be a significant concern for older people who are already facing high bills.
People who are not on water meters have their water bills calculated based on the rateable value of their property. The amount of financial support someone receives for their water bill should not be influenced by the address of the property. The NPC along with other charities have written to the Minister for Water and Flooding to make a case for a single social tariff.
Council believes swift action is needed to end the unfair postcode lottery by introducing a single water social tariff which would provide fair and consistent support for those in financial hardship.
Council calls upon the Mayor to write to the Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy, making the case for a single social tariff for England and Wales.
An amendment was moved by Councillor W Samuel and seconded by Councillor C Johnson as follows:
Insert the following after the fourth paragraph
“Council believes Water Companies have continued to profit millions of pounds all while bills go up and the services gets worse. It is time for Water companies to be nationalised.”
Insert the following sentence at the end of the final paragraph “As well as making the case for the Water companies to be nationalised.”
The amended Motion therefore read:
The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) is deeply concerned about projected poverty levels following statements from the Secretary of State. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has acknowledged that up to 100,000 pensioners in England and Wales could fall into poverty because of cuts to winter fuel payments. The NPC is shocked by the government’s admission.
Water bills are projected to increase by an average of 36% over the next five years, which will be a significant concern for older people who are already facing high bills.
People who are not on water meters have their water bills calculated based on the rateable value of their property. The amount of financial support someone receives for their water bill should not be influenced by the address of the property. The NPC along with other charities have written to the Minister for Water and Flooding to make a case for a single social tariff.
Council believes swift action is needed to end the unfair postcode lottery by introducing a single water social tariff which would provide fair and consistent support for those in financial hardship.
Council believes Water Companies have continued to profit millions of pounds all while bills go up and the services gets worse. It is time for Water companies to be nationalised.
Council calls upon the Mayor to write to the Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy, making the case for a single social tariff for England and Wales. As well as making the case for the Water companies to be nationalised.
Votes for the Amendment:
Councillors T Bailey, Linda Bell, Louise Bell, P Bunyan, B Burdis, B Clark, K Clark, S Cox, J Cruddas, E Darke, L Darke, J Day, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, I Grayson, T Hallway, J Harrison, AHoldsworth, J Hunter, N Huscroft, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Kirwin, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, A McMullen, J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, A Newman, K Nott, J O'Shea, S Phillips, B Pickard, N Redfearn, W Samuel, J Sharp, J Shaw, A Spowart, J Walker and J Webster.
Votes against the Amendment:
Councillors J Bartoli, L Bones, J Johnsson, D Lilly, I McAlpine, C McGinty and Dr O Scargill.
The amendment was approved by 45 votes to 7 votes.
The substantive motion was approved by 52 votes:
Councillors T Bailey, J Bartoli, Linda Bell, Louise Bell, L Bones, P Bunyan, B Burdis, B Clark, K Clark, S Cox, J Cruddas, E Darke, L Darke, J Day, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, I Grayson, T Hallway, J Harrison, AHoldsworth, J Hunter, N Huscroft, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Johnsson, J Kirwin, D Lilly, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, I McAlpine, C McGinty, A McMullen, J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, A Newman, K Nott, J O'Shea, S Phillips, B Pickard, N Redfearn, W Samuel, Dr O Scargill, J Sharp, J Shaw, A Spowart,J Walker and J Webster.