The amendment proposed by Councillor Baines and seconded by Councillor
Enright was lost with 13 votes in
favour, 37 against and 1 abstention.
The amendment proposed by Councillor Levy and seconded by Councillor
Ley was accepted by the proposer and seconder of the original motion and by
Council.
The motion as amended was carried with 35 votes in favour,
13 against and no abstentions.
This Council notes the
government’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments (WFPs). Age UK
estimates that such changes could affect hit 2 million people across the country, some of
whom may badly need the money to stay warm this winter.
This Council resolves to:
1. Request that the Cabinet requests a
report from officers with proposals for promoting a District awareness campaign
working with our local works with NHS, District Councils, partners,
Parish Councils and charitable, civic and religious groups,
to promote the full range of available support for low-income pensioners,
including the Resident Support Scheme (RSS) and Better Housing Better Health. encourage
elderly residents who are eligible for means-tested benefits such as Pension
Credit to register and claim them to ensure that they continue to receive WFPs
this Winter and that those in need are sign-posted to the continuing Recent
Household Support Fund allocations have enabled these programs to expand
and directly assist pensioners impacted by WFP changes, with libraries
participating in the Warm Spaces initiative positioned for outreach to
high-footfall pensioner areas.
2. Request that the Leader
of the Council writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging calling
for an impact assessment and transitional measures for pensioners
affected by of the government’s decision to means testing WFPs
and asking HM Treasury to examine transitional measures to ensure that
vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who are eligible for, but who do not
– or cannot – claim, other benefits under current thresholds, are protected
from fuel poverty. This outreach
should address barriers to Pension Credit access and advocate for simplified
application processes to ensure equitable access.
3. Request that the Cabinet to
include addressing fuel poverty among low-income pensioners in the priorities
of the council when allocating resources,
for example using the Household
Support Fund. Priority should be given to strengthening existing high-demand
support programs and partnerships to maximize local resources. reprioritises
monies within the Council’s budget for 2024/5 held within the Budget Priority
Reserve and/or within other relevant contingency funds or reserves, with a view
to establishing an Oxfordshire Winter Fuel Payment Protection Fund, akin to
the Oxfordshire Resident Support Scheme, to ensure that pensioners who are
in genuine hardship, but who are not eligible for other government support, are
helped through the Winter.