The Conservatives and Independents have pushed through a motion calling on Cheshire East’s group leaders to ask the government to reinstate the winter fuel allowance – despite Labour trying to block it.
The motion was tabled by Cllrs Andrew Kolker (Dane Valley) and Allen Gage (Willaston & Rope) at full council in October, after thousands of pensioners across the borough lost their winter fuel allowance of up to £300 when the government scrapped it for all except those on pension credit or other eligible benefits.
It asked the group leaders to write jointly to the government ‘expressing this council’s deep concerns regarding the impact of this decision on Cheshire East’s most vulnerable residents and asking that the winter fuel allowance is reinstated with immediate effect’.
It also called on the council’s leader and deputy to write to all Cheshire East MPs requesting their support, and for the council to bring forward an awareness campaign to encourage those eligible for pension credit to apply for it.
The Tories had hoped the motion would be debated in October at full council, but mayor Marilyn Houston (Crewe, Labour) refused and said it should be considered at a later date by the relevant committee.
It was finally discussed at yesterday’s (Monday) meeting of the adults and health committee – and then Labour councillors argued it was out of date.
Cllr Andrew Kolker (Dane Valley, Con), who proposed the motion, told the meeting:
“I've been into too many homes of elderly people, where it's just cold. They don't feel they can afford to keep the heating on.”
He added: “We have a duty to our people, we have a duty to our health service, and we need to do everything we possibly can to resist this crazy policy.”
Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) said:
“If people are not keeping themselves sufficiently warm, they are likely to present at medical facilities, requiring costs that will be far in excess of the benefit they would have received.”
Cllr John Place (Bollington, Lab) said he believed the motion was made with a genuine intent at the time but
‘I think it's past its sell-by date’. He added: “Perhaps an information or updating requests from the council, the chief executive, leader would be appropriate.”
Committee chair Jill Rhodes (Crewe, Lab) said
the council had publicised what help was available for pensioners and it had used some of the household support fund to help those in need. She said the council leader and deputy had already written to MPs asking them to represent the views of Cheshire pensioners.
Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Con) agreed the motion had ‘gone past its sell-by date’.
“That was the whole point of bringing it in October,” she said.
“And you know, at that council meeting, how very angry we were that it was shelved in this way. It should have been debated there and then, when it would have had most benefit for those potentially affected pensioners across our borough.”
She asked how many vulnerable families had lost out because the council had diverted funds from the household support fund to help vulnerable pensioners to pay their fuel bills because they had lost the winter fuel payment.
The motion was carried on a named vote with five Conservatives, councillors Clowes, Gardiner, Kolker, Sue Adams and Liz Wardlaw, and three Independents, councillors Rob Moreton, Arthur Moran and Hannah Moss, voting in favour.
REF: Belinda Ryan, Local Democracy Reporter (Knutsford Guardian: 21.01.2025)
Read the full Notice of Motion here, as submitted to Full Council, 16th October 2024.
REF: https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/ieListDocuments.aspx?CI…
Motion 1 Winter Fuel Allowance (October 2024 Council)
Proposed by Councillor A Kolker and Seconded by Councillor A Gage
“This Council is dismayed at the Labour Government’s recent decision, in the absence of a full impact assessment, to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only those pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit or similar benefit, with immediate effect this winter.
This means that many vulnerable Cheshire East pensioners this year, will lose between £200 and £300 that they have relied upon to keep their homes warm and hot food prepared.
Nationally, Age UK has identified that up to two million pensioners who badly need this money, will now not receive it.
In addition, as many as 800,000 pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit, do not claim it and will therefore remain ineligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance.
As elected members, we have already received letters of concern from affected, older residents, including, for example, a petition from fifty members of the Congleton Widows Group.
Vulnerable Cheshire East Pensioners on limited means, but either not claiming Pension Credit or with incomes just above the Pension Credit threshold, will face desperate choices this winter; to “heat or eat” - decisions that pose a significant threat to health and life.
This Council therefore resolves:
• That Group Leaders write jointly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, expressing this Council’s deep concerns regarding the impact of this decision on Cheshire East’s most vulnerable residents and asking that the Winter Fuel Allowance is reinstated with immediate effect. This to remain in place, pending the results of a full impact assessment and the evaluation of an alternative scheme that will protect the most vulnerable and middle-income pensioners at risk during Winter months.
• To bring forward a refreshed Council-led, local awareness campaign, via digital, targeted mail and via related services and venues (for example; GP surgeries, Community facilities, places of worship), to support all those eligible, to apply for Pension Credit, before 21st December 2024. This date is critical if they are to register for Winter Fuel Allowance this Winter and so avoid fuel poverty.
• That the Leader and Deputy Leader of Council write to all Members of Parliament representing Cheshire East constituencies, explaining this Council’s concerns and to request their support in raising them in Westminster, on behalf of Cheshire East’s most vulnerable pensioners.”
RESOLVED:
That the Motion be referred to the Adults and Health Committee for consideration.
