Proposer: Councillor Carmichael
Seconder: Councillor Luke Giles
Rising inflation, surging energy prices and the increase in national insurance contributions will have a real impact in lowering the standard of living for Sandwell residents.
Our Families and households face an average loss of a staggering £1,200 in income – a huge amount of money for those who already live close to, or below, the bread line. They will also see a rise in energy costs and taxes and at the very same time inflation is at a high 6% and forecast to be in excess of 8%.
We are concerned that even more Sandwell residents will be forced to choose between heating or eating, not a modern day decision that any of our residents should have to take. Heating bills are increasing massively, prices in shops for basic foods is rising to a level that some of our residents cannot afford now afford to shop and are relying on food banks for the first time. They have also had to contend with the reduction in universal credit so our families in Sandwell are on the brink of absolute poverty.
The removal of the triple-lock on pension increases means pensioners will lose out, and any savings they have are being eroded by inflation. There was nothing in the Chancellor’s Spring statement for pensioners.
The government ranks Sandwell as an area of high deprivation but instead of a proper funding settlement for local services have to apply for ‘beauty contest’ grants that do not cover the value that we use for our vulnerable residents who are caught up in this cost of living crisis. Our children are suffering, watching their parents struggle, being hungry and cold in their own homes – these are our future and we need to look after them.
This council resolves to call upon the four Sandwell Members of Parliament to urge the Government to take immediate steps to:
1. Apply pressure to energy companies to reduce energy metre payments so that they fall in line with those who pay by direct debit;
2. Take VAT off fuel bills in the short term to alleviate costs to our residents
3. Provide a proper fair funding strategy which recognises areas of high deprivation and not a series of grant application bids.
4. Protect pensioners from rising prices, including the 1.5 million low income people on pension credit, by uprating pensions in line with the Bank of England’s inflation forecast of 6%.
5. Reinstate the £1,000 boost to Universal Credit, to ensure that the most vulnerable households get proper support.
6. Double the Winter Fuel Allowance payment paid to all pensioners for this year
7. Introduce a one off windfall tax on the record profits of gas producers and traders, to help fund the doubling of the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Allowance
Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor Carmichael and seconded by Councillor L Giles: -
“Rising inflation, surging energy prices and the increase in national insurance contributions will have a real impact in lowering the standard of living for Sandwell residents.
Our Families and households face an average loss of a staggering £1,200 in income – a huge amount of money for those who already live close to, or below, the bread line. They will also see a rise in energy costs and taxes and at the very same time inflation is at a high 6% and forecast to be in excess of 8%.
We are concerned that even more Sandwell residents will be forced to choose between heating or eating, not a modern day decision that any of our residents should have to take. Heating bills are increasing massively, prices in shops for basic foods is rising to a level that some of our residents cannot afford now afford to shop and are relying on food banks for the first time. They have also had to contend with the reduction in universal credit so our families in Sandwell are on the brink of absolute poverty.
The removal of the triple-lock on pension increases means pensioners will lose out, and any savings they have are being eroded by inflation. There was nothing in the Chancellor’s Spring statement for pensioners.
The government ranks Sandwell as an area of high deprivation but instead of a proper funding settlement for local services have to apply for ‘beauty contest’ grants that do not cover the value that we use for our vulnerable residents who are caught up in this cost of living crisis. Our children are suffering, watching their parents struggle, being hungry and cold in their own homes – these are our future and we need to look after them.
This council resolves to call upon the four Sandwell Members of Parliament to urge the Government to take immediate steps to:
1. Apply pressure to energy companies to reduce energy metre payments so that they fall in line with those who pay by direct debit;
2. Take VAT off fuel bills in the short term to alleviate costs to our residents;
3. Provide a proper fair funding strategy which recognises areas of high deprivation and not a series of grant application bids;
4. Protect pensioners from rising prices, including the 1.5 million low income people on pension credit, by uprating pensions in line with the Bank of England’s inflation forecast of 6%;
5. Reinstate the £1,000 boost to Universal Credit, to ensure that the most vulnerable households get proper support;
6. Double the Winter Fuel Allowance payment paid to all pensioners for this year;
7. Introduce a one off windfall tax on the record profits of gas producers and traders, to help fund the doubling of the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Allowance.”
In accordance with Standing Order No.7, Councillor W Gill moved
the following amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Abrahams:-
“Rising inflation, surging energy prices and the increase in national insurance contributions will have a real impact in potentially lowering the standard of living for Sandwell residents due to war in Ukraine and the pandemic.
We are concerned that even more Sandwell residents will have difficult decisions to make in the not too distant future but are committed to as a Council working with central Government to mitigate the impacts that this crisis will have.
The temporary removal of the triple-lock on pension will have an impact on the good people of Sandwell.
The government ranks Sandwell as an area of high deprivation and the Council must recognise our duty to protect our communities.
This council resolves through the following:
1. Writing a cross-party letter to the Government, welcoming the measures to mitigate the Cost-of-Living Crisis that have been taken thus far whilst requesting that pressure is applied to energy companies to reduce energy metre payments so that they fall in line with those who pay by direct debit.
2. Working co-operatively with Government to utilise the grant schemes that are available, including the recently introduced grant scheme for Councils to tackle fly-tipping.
3. Consider matching the £150 non-repayable rebate on Council Tax for the financial year 22/23.”
The amendment having been moved and seconded was put to the vote. The motion was defeated, and debate returned to the original motion.
In accordance with Standing Order No. 12, Councillor E A Giles called for a named vote. The required support to the request was achieved and the original motion was put to a named vote as follows:-
For:
Ahmed, Akpoteni, Allen, Bhullar, Carmichael, , Chidley, Crompton, Davies, Dhallu, Fenton, Gavan, E A Giles, E M Giles, L Giles, M Gill, S Gill, Hartwell, Hinchliff, Hughes, M Hussain, R Jones, Kaur, Khatun, McVittie, Melia, Millard, Millar, C Padda, Piper, Randhawa, Rollins, Rouf, Shackleton, Shaeen, Smith, Taylor and Webb.
Against:
None
Abstention:
Abrahams, Chapman, W Gill, I Padda, and Williams
The motion was carried, and it was RESOLVED accordingly.