1. Councillor Safety
The intimidation and abuse of Councillors and Officers, in person or otherwise, undermines democracy; preventing elected members from representing the communities they serve, deterring individuals from standing for election, and undermining public life in democratic processes and deterring potential Officers from considering public sector as a career option.
This council notes that increasing levels of toxicity in public and political discourse is having a detrimental impact on local democracy and that prevention, support and responses to abuse and intimidation of local politicians and Officers must improve to ensure councillors and Officers feel safe and able to continue representing their residents and performing their duties.
This council therefore commits to challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and officers and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate in all it does. The council agrees to sign up to the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the response to and support those in public life facing abuse and intimidation.
This Council therefore endorses the recommendations from the Jo Cox Civility Commission and specifically resolves that:
(A) there should be appropriate risk planning
for abuse at Council Meetings and other events, ensuring high risk events are
properly resourced
(B) this
Council signs up to the LGA’s Debate Not Hate Campaign.
(C) There should be appropriate security and
wellbeing resources available to Councillors and Officers
1. Background
The Jo Cox Civility Commission was launched in February 2023. The Commission takes as its starting point a belief that abuse and intimidation is having a detrimental impact on democracy in the UK, but that addressing the issue is complex and requires action across multiple different sectors.
The Commission published a report titled, “No place in politics: tackling abuse and intimidation.” The report can be found at the following link
https://www.jocoxfoundation.org/wpcontent/uploads/2024/01/Jo-Cox-Civility-Commission-report.pdf.
A series of recommendations are made in the report which are directed towards different audiences including the Government, the Police, the Electoral Commission and Political Parties. However, three of the recommendations are specifically directed to local government as follows:-
• Local authorities should improve risk planning for abuse at council meetings and other events, ensuring high risk events are properly resourced with trained security.
• Councils should pass motions affirming principles to address abuse and model good behaviour, from the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate toolkit or the National Association of Local Councils’ (NALC) Civility and Respect Project.
• Local authorities should ensure security and wellbeing resources are available to councillors. These should be clearly signposted, and there should be a dedicated point of contact for the escalation of any issues. The Committee is asked to consider what further actions it may wish to recommend in response to the above.
The following actions have been taken by the Council in line with those recommendations:
(a) Risk Planning
The Council takes a proportionate response in regards to its meetings. Security provision is made after an assessment by senior Officers or in response to member requests. Members are reminded to take into consideration safety considerations when attending external meetings.
Police should be involved where appropriate and in particular when there is a risk to democratic engagement. The advice of the Police is sought when appropriate.
[The opportunity should exist for council meetings to
take place online in instances when there are specific risks of physical abuse
to councillors. Current legislation
requires formal meetings to be undertaken in person.]
(b) Debate Not Hate Toolkit
The LGA’s toolkit on Debate Not Hate can be found at:
Debate
Not Hate: Campaign toolkit | Local Government Association
(c) Security and Wellbeing resources.
Councillors have received copies of the resource - ‘Councillors' guide to handling intimidation - Local Government Association’ which details practical steps that Councillors and their Council can undertake to protect yourself as a person in a public position.
The LGA recognise the growing need among councillors for support related to intimidation and have jointly developed this resource following advice from councils, councillors, other council representative organisations, as well as national organisations such as the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and National Counter Terrorism Security Organisation. The guide covers topics such as how to handle abuse, whether face-to-face, letters or online, and the legal and practical remedies, including the nature of the criminal offences involved. It will be continuously updated with the latest advice and information available.
The Council has a limited fund for which Councillors can ask for funding for security measures. In addition members and Officers can have access to the Council’s Occupational Health Services upon request.
Proposer: Councillor Gareth Dadd
Seconder: Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright
2. Pensioners
Winter Fuel Allowance
The Chancellor has announced that the Winter Fuel Payment will be scrapped which is expected to impact 10 million pensioners across the UK and thousands in North Yorkshire.
With the Energy Price Cap rises meaning an annual increase in energy costs or around £150 a year, this will plunge many pensioners into poverty. This will also put an additional strain on Adult Services in North Yorkshire.
This council therefore resolves that:
1. It opposes the decision to remove the Winter Fuel Payment from pensioners.
2. It urges all pensioners to check whether they are entitles to receive Pension credit.
3. The Leader of the Council writes to the Chancellor on behalf of the Council urging her to reverse the decision to remove the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners.
Proposer: Councillor Mike Jordan
Seconder: Councillor Stuart Parsons
3. Water Fluoridation
The act
of adding fluoride to drinking water to help improve consumer’s oral health has
been described as both a panacea for tooth decay and forced mass
medication.
Currently,
around 6 million people in England live in areas with water fluoridation
schemes, mainly in the West Midlands and the North East.
Many schemes have been operating for over 50 years. Birmingham was the first
permanent scheme to commence in 1964.
The
most recent data shows that the incidence of dental decay in children in
Birmingham is higher than the national average.
Birmingham
(29%)
West
Midlands Region (23%)
England
(23%)
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-children-2019
Generally,
dental health is better in the south east of England and poorer in the north
(report by Dentistry.co.uk).
Reports
also suggest that there is a huge oral health divide between those from more
deprived areas and those from less deprived areas.
There
is also an association between increasing levels of fluoride in water and
dental fluorosis. The Community Dental Health Journal has published a
document indicating the prevalence of fluorosis is greater in fluoridated
cities (61%) compared to the non-fluoridated cities (37%). There are many
arguments against the use of fluoride in relation to harm as well as elevated
levels of fluorosis (which can be an indicator of osteopathic, kidney and other
neurological diseases).
It is
highly likely that the new government will decide to adopt the same / similar
scheme as the previous and look to encourage new community water
fluoridation schemes.
I
therefore propose the following motion.
"This
council considers that medication without consent is not in the best interests
of all its citizens and notes that fluoride dosage cannot be controlled and can
be linked to negative health effects.
Therefore,
this council will instruct its Leader to write to the Secretary of State for
Health stating that any moves to introduce a fluoridation scheme within North
Yorkshire will return a negative when or if consulted. It is the view of this
council that Water undertakers in North Yorkshire must be prohibited from
artificially increasing the fluoride content of the water supplied by
them."
Proposer: Councillor Rich Maw
Seconder: Councillor Arnold Warneken.
4. Youth Council
Engagement
Many British young people are very interested in how society should be
run. In March this year, UK Youth reported, “88 per cent of young people
believe it is important to have a say in the decisions politicians make about
public life” (1). Despite this, according to an IPPR report, turnout
in the 2024 general election was lowest in the constituencies with the lowest
average age (2).
It is clear that many young people feel
that most politicians, regardless of political party or lack thereof, are not
interested in supporting them with the issues they face. This adversely affects
their engagement in elections and the democratic process as a
whole.
Children and young people are our future. Engaging them in politics is
crucial to ensure the survival of institutions of this country.
Council therefore agrees to more fully involve young
people in the democratic decision-making process by:
●
Inviting the Youth Assembly of North Yorkshire to
prepare a single motion each year to be submitted and considered at the Full
Council meeting held before the 1st of September of that year.
●
Amending the council constitution such that the
motion may be proposed by the chair of the Youth Assembly.
●
Genuinely debating and considering the motion in
the same way as if a North Yorkshire Councillor had proposed it.
Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
1.
Goal 4: Quality Education - Ensure
inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all.
2.
Goal 5: Gender Equality - Achieve gender
equality and empower all women and girls.
3.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities - Reduce
inequality within and among countries.
4.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promote
peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to
justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at
all levels.
5.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Strengthen the
means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable
Development.
Data Sources
(2) https://www.ippr.org/articles/half-of-us
Proposer: Councillor Andrew
Timothy
Seconder: Councillor Barbara
Brodigan
5. Ripon
Miliary Heritage Project
This motion on notice was submitted in draft form within the deadline. The final agreed version will follow.
Proposed: Councillor Andrew Williams
Seconder: Councillor Nick Brown
6. Winter fuel allowance
That this Council notes:
·
the Government’s recent legislation restricting
entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment to households in receipt of Pension
Credit or certain other means-tested benefits
·
that in North Yorkshire, 131,000 pensioners are
affected by this change as fewer than 10% of pensioners claim Pension Credit
·
that 11,000 of the 131,000 do not claim the Pension
Credit to which they are entitled
And therefore this Council resolves to:
·
write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling
for the policy of linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipts to be
immediately paused and fairer criteria to be introduced to determine
eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments
·
immediately maximise its awareness campaign,
including urging those eligible to claim their Pension Credit and explaining
other support available to those in fuel poverty, such as Warm and Well, the
Household Support Fund and the North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund
·
sign the “save the Winter Fuel Payment for
struggling pensioners” petition organised by Age UK
Relevant SDGs:
·
SDG 1: No Poverty - Addressing poverty among
pensioners by ensuring they receive adequate support.
·
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being - Ensuring
pensioners have access to resources that contribute to their health and
well-being, such as heating during winter.
·
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Reducing
inequalities by ensuring all pensioners have access to necessary benefits.
·
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities -
Supporting vulnerable populations within communities to live with dignity and
security.
·
SDG 13: Climate Action - Promoting sustainable
practices and support systems that help mitigate the impacts of climate change
on vulnerable populations.
Proposer: Councillor
Dan Sladden
Seconder: Councillor
Monika Slater
7. Community
Impact
Reflecting the declared intent of North
Yorkshire Council to become the most local large Unitary in England, and in
light of this Council adopting the United Nations Sustainability and
Development Goals (SDGs) as the basis for policy development, implementation
and monitoring, there is a need to ensure that any decisions made by the
Council are properly weighed in the light of their potential impact on local
communities (SDG goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Whilst it is acknowledged that financial,
legal, equalities and climate change implications of policy changes are already
a requirement in the development of policy, Council accepts that decisions
should also be taken in the full knowledge of any impact on local economies and
the health and wellbeing of local communities (SDG goal 3: Good Health
and Well-being), either in specific geographical locations or more generally.
Council therefore resolves that by December
2025 it will explore and adopt appropriate means to ensure that policies and
decisions made by Council are properly informed by their potential impact on
local communities (SDG goal 17: Partnerships to deliver the Goals).
Council also notes that:
1. By focusing on the local impact of decisions,
this motion will support the creation of inclusive, safe, and resilient
communities. It ensures that development is sustainable and beneficial to
residents.
2. The motion aligns with
the goal of taking urgent action to combat climate.
Proposer: Councillor
Peter Lacey
Seconder: Councillor
Chris Aldred
8. Voluntary, Community & Social
Enterprise Sector – impact of the Chancellor’s budget
This Council acknowledges the invaluable work, and significant added
value that the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector makes
in harnessing local volunteer capacity and community assets to help the Council
achieve its responsibilities in maintaining and improving the health and
wellbeing of local communities. Council
also notes the potential impact of the Chancellor’s decision to increase
Employers National Insurance contributions and the unintended consequence that
this will have on the VCSE sector.
We therefore call on the Council to explore all means possible to
alleviate the impact of the change in employer NI contributions on those VCSE
organisations with whom the Council has a contractual relationship for the
provision of services or who receive grant funding from the Council in the
budget setting process for 2024/25 in order to
minimise the impact that this measure will have for local communities.
Proposer: Councillor Peter
Lacey
Seconder: Councillor Matt
Walker
9. Support for the Climate and Nature
Bill
North Yorkshire
Council notes that:
The Climate and
Nature Bill is backed by 372 local authorities, 250 cross-party MPs and Peers,
alongside the support of eminent 1250 scientists and has passed 1st reading in
the house.
The Bill requires
the UK Government to develop and deliver a new environmental strategy, which
would include:
1. Delivering a joined-up environmental
plan.
2. Reducing emissions in line with our
1.5°C commitment.
3. Not
only halting, but also reversing the decline in nature, setting nature measurably
on the path to recovery by 2030.
4. Taking responsibility for our overseas
emissions and ecological footprint.
5. Prioritising
nature in decision-making and ending fossil fuel production and imports as
rapidly as possible,
6. Ensuring
that no-one is left behind, by providing retraining for people currently
working in fossil fuel industries.
7. Giving
people a say in finding a fair way forward through an independent and temporary
Climate & Nature Assembly,
This council
therefore resolves to:
1. Support in principle the Climate and
Nature Bill.
2. Write
to all North Yorkshire Members of Parliament asking them to support this bill.
3. Inform residents, and local press/media
of this decision.
Direct relevance to
the UN SDGs of the motion
1. Climate Action (SDG 13):
2. Life Below Water and Life on Land (SDGs
14 & 15):
3. Responsible Consumption and Production
(SDG 12):
4. Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG
8):
5. Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17):
6. Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10):
Proposer: Councillor Steve Mason
Seconder: Councillor Bryn Griffiths
10. Adoption of an Active Travel Strategy
North Yorkshire
Council recognises the importance of promoting active travel as a key component
in improving public health, boosting local economies, connecting communities,
reducing congestion, improving air quality, and contributing to our commitments
on climate change and sustainability as specified in NYC’s adopted Sustainable
Development Goals.
Therefore, North
Yorkshire Council:
- Commits to develop and implement an
Active Travel Strategy by December 2025, that will outline a clear framework
for promoting and supporting walking, cycling, and other active travel modes
across the county.
- Uses data from the already completed
‘Let’s Talk Climate’ and ‘Let’s Talk Transport’ consultations to ensure that
the strategy reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our communities
- Incorporates the following key
principles into the strategy:
1. Accessibility
and Inclusivity: Ensure that active travel infrastructure is accessible to all
residents.
2. Safety:
Prioritise the development of safe walking and cycling routes, especially near
schools, town centres, and residential areas.
3. Integration
with Public Transport: Improve connections between active travel routes and
public transport hubs to encourage multimodal journeys.
4. Sustainability:
Promote active travel as a means to reduce carbon
emissions and improve air quality across North Yorkshire.
5. Health
and Wellbeing: Recognise and promote the physical and mental health benefits
associated with active travel.
6. Identifies
potential funding sources to support the implementation of the strategy,
including national grants, regional partnerships, and private sector
collaboration.
7. Sets
measurable goals and a timeline for the implementation of the Active Travel
Strategy, ensuring regular monitoring and review processes to track progress
and outcomes.
8. Works
with neighbouring local authorities and regional bodies to ensure that the
strategy aligns with broader regional efforts to promote sustainable and active
transport.
This motion works
towards the following Sustainable Development Goals:
• Goal
3: Good Health and Well-being - Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being
for all at all ages.
Relevance: Encourages active travel to improve physical and mental
health.
• Goal
11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Making cities and human settlements
inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Relevance: Develops infrastructure for walking and cycling to create
safer and more connected communities.
• Goal
13: Climate Action - Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its
impacts.
Relevance: Promotes active travel to reduce carbon emissions and
improve air quality.
• Goal
17: Partnerships for the Goals - Strengthening the means of implementation and
revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development.
Relevance: Utilises consultations and collaborations to ensure diverse
community needs are met and strategies align with broader efforts.
• Goal
10: Reduced Inequalities - Reducing inequality within and among countries.
Relevance: Ensures active travel infrastructure is accessible to all,
addressing inequalities.
• Goal
9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Building
resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization
and fostering innovation.
Relevance: Integrates active travel routes with public transport to
encourage efficient, multimodal travel.
• Goal
16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promoting peaceful and inclusive
societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and
building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Relevance: Establishes measurable goals and regular reviews to ensure
transparency and accountability.
Proposer: Councillor Hannah Gostlow
Seconder: Councillor Bryn Griffiths
Update on progress with Motions referred to Overview and Scrutiny
The following motion that was referred to Scrutiny from Full Council on 15 May 2024 will be brought back to a meeting of Full Council in February 2025. It has been agreed with the proposer and seconder of this motion that further time be allowed to consider all of the issues arising from this proposal.
· Treating care experience as a protective characteristic – Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee
The following motion that was referred to Scrutiny from Full Council on 21 February 2024 will be brought back to a meeting of Full Council in February 2025. It has been agreed with the proposer and seconder of this motion that further time be allowed to consider all of the issues arising from this proposal.
· To reduce the budget for mowing and spraying by at least £100k a year and to cease all purchases of any products containing glyphosate or neonicotinoids – Scrutiny of Health Committee
Minutes:
1)
Councillor Safety – for debate at the meeting
2)
Pensioners Winter Fuel Allowance – Leader to
write to the Chancellor
3)
Water Fluoridation – rejected for debate
4)
Youth Council Engagement – refer to the Scrutiny
Board
5)
Ripon Military Heritage – for debate at the
meeting
6)
Winter Fuel Allowance – Leader to write to the
Chancellor
7)
Community Impact – refer to the Scrutiny Board
8)
Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise
sector – impact of the Chancellor’s budget – for debate at the meeting
9)
Support for Climate and Nature Bill – refer to
the Scrutiny Board
10) Adoption
of an Active Travel Strategy – refer to the Scrutiny Board
117(1) Councillor Safety
The intimidation and abuse of Councillors and Officers, in
person or otherwise, undermines democracy; preventing elected members from
representing the communities they serve, deterring individuals from standing
for election, and undermining public life in democratic processes and deterring
potential Officers from considering public sector as a career option.
This council notes that increasing levels of toxicity in
public and political discourse is having a detrimental impact on local
democracy and that prevention, support and responses to abuse and intimidation
of local politicians and Officers must improve to ensure councillors and
Officers feel safe and able to continue representing their residents and
performing their duties.
This council therefore commits to challenge the
normalisation of abuse against councillors and officers and uphold exemplary
standards of public and political debate in all it does. The council agrees to
sign up to the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign. The campaign aims to raise
public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage
healthy debate and improve the response to and support those in public life
facing abuse and intimidation.
This Council therefore endorses the recommendations from the
Jo Cox Civility Commission and specifically resolves that:
(A) there should be appropriate risk planning
for abuse at Council Meetings and other events, ensuring high risk events are
properly resourced
(B) this
Council signs up to the LGA’s Debate Not Hate Campaign.
(C) There should be appropriate security and
wellbeing resources available to Councillors and Officers
1. Background
The Jo Cox Civility Commission was launched in February
2023. The Commission takes as its
starting point a belief that abuse and intimidation is having a detrimental
impact on democracy in the UK, but that addressing the issue is complex and
requires action across multiple different sectors.
The Commission published a report titled, “No place in
politics: tackling abuse and intimidation.” The report can be found at the
following link
https://www.jocoxfoundation.org/wpcontent/uploads/2024/01/Jo-Cox-Civility-Commission-report.pdf.
A series of recommendations are made in the report which are
directed towards different audiences including the Government, the Police, the
Electoral Commission and Political Parties. However, three of the
recommendations are specifically directed to local government as follows:-
• Local authorities should improve risk
planning for abuse at council meetings and other events, ensuring high risk
events are properly resourced with trained security.
• Councils should pass motions
affirming principles to address abuse and model good behaviour, from the Local
Government Association’s Debate Not Hate toolkit or the National Association of
Local Councils’ (NALC) Civility and Respect Project.
• Local authorities should ensure
security and wellbeing resources are available to councillors. These should be
clearly signposted, and there should be a dedicated point of contact for the
escalation of any issues. The Committee is asked to consider what further
actions it may wish to recommend in response to the above.
The following actions have been taken by the Council in line
with those recommendations:
(a) Risk
Planning
The Council takes a proportionate response in regards to its
meetings. Security provision is made after an assessment by senior Officers or
in response to member requests. Members are reminded to take into consideration
safety considerations when attending external meetings.
Police should be involved where appropriate and in
particular when there is a risk to democratic engagement. The advice of the
Police is sought when appropriate.
[The opportunity should exist for council meetings to
take place online in instances when there are specific risks of physical abuse
to councillors. Current legislation
requires formal meetings to be undertaken in person.]
(b) Debate Not
Hate Toolkit
The LGA’s toolkit on Debate Not Hate can be found at:
Debate Not Hate: Campaign toolkit | Local
Government Association
(c) Security and
Wellbeing resources.
Councillors have received copies of the resource - ‘Councillors'
guide to handling intimidation - Local Government Association’ which details
practical steps that Councillors and their Council can undertake to protect
yourself as a person in a public position.
The LGA recognise the growing need among councillors for
support related to intimidation and have jointly developed this resource
following advice from councils, councillors, other council representative
organisations, as well as national organisations such as the Suzy Lamplugh
Trust and National Counter Terrorism Security Organisation. The guide covers
topics such as how to handle abuse, whether face-to-face, letters or online,
and the legal and practical remedies, including the nature of the criminal
offences involved. It will be continuously updated with the latest advice and
information available.
The Council has a limited fund for which Councillors can ask
for funding for security measures. In addition members and Officers can have
access to the Council’s Occupational Health Services upon request.
Proposer: Councillor
Gareth Dadd
Seconder: Councillor
Steve Shaw-Wright
The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Gareth Dadd and
seconded by Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright.
The motion was then debated.
On a vote being taken the notice of motion was approved
unanimously.
117(2) Pensioners
Winter Fuel Allowance
The Chancellor has announced that the Winter Fuel Payment
will be scrapped which is expected to impact 10 million pensioners across the
UK and thousands in North Yorkshire.
With the Energy Price Cap rises meaning an annual increase
in energy costs or around £150 a year, this will plunge many pensioners into
poverty. This will also put an additional strain on Adult Services in North
Yorkshire.
This council therefore resolves that:
1. It opposes
the decision to remove the Winter Fuel Payment from pensioners.
2. It urges all pensioners to check
whether they are entitles to receive Pension credit.
3. The Leader of the Council writes to the
Chancellor on behalf of the Council urging her to reverse the decision to
remove the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners.
Proposer: Councillor
Mike Jordan
Seconder: Councillor
Stuart Parsons
The
Leader agreed to write to the Chancellor regarding the issues raised, and
therefore the Mayor considered that the motion had been dealt with.
117(3) Water Fluoridation
The
Mayor rejected the motion for debate under Procedure Rule 14.1 as the matter
had been debated within the previous 6 months and there had been no material
change in circumstances since that debate.
117(4) Youth Council Engagement
The motion was moved and seconded and referred to the
Scrutiny Board to determine the most appropriate overview and scrutiny
committee.
117(5) Ripon Miliary Heritage Project
This council welcomes the efforts made by the Ripon Military
Heritage Project in seeking to protect the military heritage that exists on the
land contained within planning application 20/02973/EIAMAJ .
The council also notes the decision by the Strategic
Planning Committee on 14 May 2024 was to include a condition (namely an amended
Condition 47) which provides for a report to be submitted for approval
identifying the investigation, feasibility and deliverability of a heritage
strategy covering the potential retention of military heritage assets. This
report is to be brought to the Committee for consideration at first reserved
matters stage.
Whilst the ultimate decision on whether to approve the
report pursuant to Condition 47 will be for the Strategic Planning Committee,
the Council supports the applicant and developers being encouraged to give
consideration in the preparation of the report to addressing the Military
Heritage across the whole of the site and to the allocation of land in recognition
of Military Heritage that currently exists.
The proposer and seconder have requested that the motion be
debated in the day or Council, as follows:
We would ask that the Chairman consents to it being debated
on the day as this is a live matter and discussions are ongoing between the
parties so delaying until our meeting in February to resolve on it would not
assist the current process.
Proposed: Councillor
Andrew Williams
Seconder: Councillor
Nick Brown
The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Andrew Williams
and seconded by Councillor Nick Brown.
An amendment was moved by Councillor Barbara Brodigan, and
seconded by Councillor Kevin Foster that the notice of motion be referred to
Strategic Planning Committee.
A vote was taken on the amendment, there were 16 votes for
and 36 votes against, and the amendment therefore fell.
On a vote being taken on the substantive motion, 45 Members
votes for the motion, 3 voted against and there were 3 abstentions. The Chair declared the motion carried.
117(6) Winter fuel allowance
That this Council notes:
·
the Government’s recent legislation restricting
entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment to households in receipt of Pension
Credit or certain other means-tested benefits
·
that in North Yorkshire, 131,000 pensioners are
affected by this change as fewer than 10% of pensioners claim Pension Credit
·
that 11,000 of the 131,000 do not claim the Pension
Credit to which they are entitled
And therefore this Council resolves to:
·
write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling
for the policy of linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipts to be
immediately paused and fairer criteria to be introduced to determine
eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments
·
immediately maximise its awareness campaign,
including urging those eligible to claim their Pension Credit and explaining
other support available to those in fuel poverty, such as Warm and Well, the
Household Support Fund and the North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund
·
sign the “save the Winter Fuel Payment for
struggling pensioners” petition organised by Age UK
Relevant SDGs:
·
SDG 1: No Poverty - Addressing poverty among
pensioners by ensuring they receive adequate support.
·
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being - Ensuring pensioners
have access to resources that contribute to their health and well-being, such
as heating during winter.
·
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Reducing
inequalities by ensuring all pensioners have access to necessary benefits.
·
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities -
Supporting vulnerable populations within communities to live with dignity and
security.
·
SDG 13: Climate Action - Promoting sustainable
practices and support systems that help mitigate the impacts of climate change
on vulnerable populations.
Proposer: Councillor
Dan Sladden
Seconder: Councillor
Monika Slater
The
Leader agreed to write to the Chancellor regarding the issues raised, and
therefore the Mayor considered that the motion had been dealt with.
117(7) Community Impact
The motion was moved and seconded and referred to the
Scrutiny Board to determine the most appropriate overview and scrutiny
committee.
117(8) Voluntary, Community & Social
Enterprise Sector – impact of the Chancellor’s budget
This Council acknowledges the invaluable work, and significant added
value that the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector makes
in harnessing local volunteer capacity and community assets to help the Council
achieve its responsibilities in maintaining and improving the health and
wellbeing of local communities. Council
also notes the potential impact of the Chancellor’s decision to increase
Employers National Insurance contributions and the unintended consequence that
this will have on the VCSE sector.
We therefore call on the Council to explore all means possible to
alleviate the impact of the change in employer NI contributions on those VCSE
organisations with whom the Council has a contractual relationship for the
provision of services or who receive grant funding from the Council in the
budget setting process for 2024/25 in order to minimise the impact that this
measure will have for local communities, whilst recognising the tight
financial position of the Council and the need to secure good value for money.
Proposer: Councillor Peter
Lacey
Seconder: Councillor Matt
Walker
The motion was moved by Councillor Peter Lacey and seconded
by Councillor Matt Walker. In moving the
motion Councillor Lacey referred to an amendment, in italics above, which had
been made following discussion with Councillor Gareth Dadd.
On a vote being taken the notice of motion, as amended, was
approved unanimously.
117(9) Support
for the Climate and Nature Bill
The motion was moved and seconded and referred to the
Scrutiny Board to determine the most appropriate overview and scrutiny
committee.
117(10) Adoption of an Active Travel Strategy
The motion was moved and seconded and referred to the
Scrutiny Board to determine the most appropriate overview and scrutiny
committee.