That the Notice of Motion in respect of Winter Fuel Payments be rejected.

To respond to the Motion in respect of Winter Fuel Payments.

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This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 9 December 2024 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

The Cabinet considered a motion in relation to winter fuel payments, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A14.

The Cabinet provided the following response:

The Cabinet was shocked that the Labour Government withdrew the universal winter fuel payment and set the eligibility criteria as pension credit.  It is shocking that a number of pensioners have lost that support at a time when bills are going up.  As a Council we are already taking a significant step to plug the gap to ensure payments go to all those in receipt of pension credit.  The Council is also awarding payment to those who are in receipt of Council Tax Support without them having to claim pension credit.  The Cabinet realise that they may not be reaching all that may be entitled to receive pension credit but have not claimed, however the Council is trying to reach out through communications and social media, working with voluntary sector and at our Hub in Paignton and provide assistance with submitting claims.  The Council has also publicised the need to claim pension credit on its website and the Lead Cabinet Member has asked for the content to be reviewed and strengthened where possible.  Furthermore, the Council will be writing to pensioners who receive Council Tax Support to encourage those entitled to claim Pension Credit. 

The Cabinet was concerned that the motion was asking Officers to undertake activities that that they were already undertaking as part of their operational duties.  The Cabinet don’t believe that a motion has to be submitted to them in order for Officers to take action on operational matters.  The Cabinet thanked the promoter and supporter for bringing forward the motion and welcomes suggestions on how the Council can do things in a different way, but requested these suggestions to be brought to them as individual Cabinet Members rather than formal motions directing Officers to do their job.  Therefore, the Cabinet does not accept the motion but confirms that the Cabinet will continue to work with the Director of Adult and Community Services, Officers and voluntary sector partners to encourage and assist residents to claim all benefits they may be entitled to.

In light of the above, Councillor Tyerman proposed and Councillor David Thomas seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously, as set out above.

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