Agenda and minutes

Following the reading of the Notice convening the meeting by the Chief Executive, there then followed prayers by the Mayor’s Chaplain.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Akhtar, Ahmed, Khan S, Sidat, Smith J and Whalley.

At this point of the meeting a Minute’s Silence was observed in memory of former Councillor Eileen Entwistle, who sadly recently passed away.

Minutes 25^th July 2024

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25^th July 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

Declarations of Interest Form

No declarations of interest were submitted.

Civic Service Awards will be presented to former Councillors Dave Harling and Abdul Patel in recognition of their outstanding service over many years serving on the Council.

The Mayor presented Civic Service Awards to former Councillors Dave Harling and Abdul Patel in recognition of their outstanding service over many years serving the Council.

The Mayor read out a letter from the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who had passed on her condolences on the recent passing of former Councillor Eileen Entwistle.

The Mayor also updated Council Forum on recent events and activities he had attended including the Blackburn Royal British Legion Veteran’s Breakfast Club, Darwen Festival of Fun and Artisan Market, National Youth Brass Concert at Blackburn Cathedral, the 60^th Anniversary of Beauman Court, the IMO Picnic in the Park at Queen’s Park Hall, World Suicide Prevent Day, the re-dedication of the Accrington Pals Memorial Garden, the Annual Judges Service at Preston, a question and answer session with year 5 pupils at Lower Darwen Primary School, welcomed the Acorn Recovery Programme a Drug and Alcohol Treatment along with a number of events across the Borough connected with the Heritage Open Day.

The Mayor advised that tickets were still available for the Ladies Fashion Show on 17^th October and this his Ball would be on Friday 4^th April 2025.  The Remembrance Concert was scheduled for 4^th November 2024, 6.30 pm at King George’s Hall.

To consider any questions from members of the public under Procedure Rule 10.

The Chief Execuite announced that no questions had been submitted by members of the public under Procedure Rule 10.

To consider any Motions received under Procedure Rule 12.

(a)  Winter Heating Payment

This Council considers that the Chancellor’s recent decision to end the Winter Fuel payment with no compensatory measures to protect needy pensioners; to restrict it to only those in receipt of Pension Credits and other benefits to be ill conceived and contrary to the universality of the payment as introduced by Gordon Brown in 1997.

It is widely believed by organisations such as Age Concern, Trade Unions and Councils that as many as 1.6 million pensioners could be adversely affected by this decision.

Particularly at risk will be those:

·       With high energy needs because of disability or illness and, or live in energy inefficient homes, which are expensive to heat (around 200,000 in this instance).

·       Who just miss out on Pension Credit because their very modest incomes are slightly too high for them to be eligible, usually because they have a tiny occupational pension.  Only those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week or £332.95 per week for a couple will be eligible for Pension Credit.  This is significantly lower than the Living Wage Rate of £11.44.

·       Who currently do not claim Pension Credit but are eligible, around 1 million.  The Government’s approach fails to consider that this is an entrenched aversion and that administrative barriers are also a factor for non-claiming.

The timing of this cut is appalling; announced shortly before the winter months and after OFGEM raised the Energy Price Cap by 10% meaning a typical household bill will rise, from 1^st October, by £149 per annum.  It is expected that the number of people eligible for the Winter Payment will fall by 10 million (from 11.1 million to only 1.2 million); it also means that if pensioners choose to eat rather than heat they will not avoid receiving a bill for the iniquitous standing charge.

Government is about choice – this choice is without merit and makes no political or financial sense.

This Council resolves to:

Request the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on behalf of the 21,000 pensioners who reside in Blackburn with Darwen, calling for the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be immediately reversed and seek alternative options, where economies can be made without incurring unnecessary financial hardship on those least able to afford them.

Mover: Councillor Kevin Connor

Seconder: Councillor John Slater

The Chief Executive announced that one Motion had been submitted under Procedure Rule 12.

Winter Heating Payment

This Council considers that the Chancellor’s recent decision to end the Winter Fuel payment with no compensatory measures to protect needy pensioners; to restrict it to only those in receipt of Pension Credits and other benefits to be ill conceived and contrary to the universality of the payment as introduced by Gordon Brown in 1997.

It is widely believed by organisations such as Age Concern, Trade Unions and Councils that as many as 1.6 million pensioners could be adversely affected by this decision.

Particularly at risk will be those:

·       With high energy needs because of disability or illness and, or live in energy inefficient homes, which are expensive to heat (around 200,000 in this instance).

·       Who just miss out on Pension Credit because their very modest incomes are slightly too high for them to be eligible, usually because they have a tiny occupational pension.  Only those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week or £332.95 per week for a couple will be eligible for Pension Credit this is significantly lower than the Living Wage Rate of £11.44.

·       Who currently do not claim Pension Credit but are eligible, around 1 million.  The government’s approach fails to consider that this is an entrenched aversion and that administrative barriers are also a factor for non-claiming.

The timing of this cuit is appalling; announced shortly before the winter months after OFGEM raised the Energy Price Cap by 10% meaning a typical household bill will rise, from 1^st October, by £149 per annum.  It is expected that the number of people eligible for the Winter Payment will fall by 10 million (from11.1 million to only 1.2 million) it also means that if pensioners choose to eat rather than heat, they will not avoid receiving a bil for the iniquitous standing charge.

Government is about choice – this choice is without merit and makes no political or financial sense.

This Council resolves to:

Request the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on behalf of the 21,000 pensioners who reside in Blackburn with Darwen, calling for the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be immediately reversed and seek alternative options, where economies can be made without incurring unnecessary financial hardship on those least able to afford them.

Moved by Councillor Kevin Connor

Seconded by Councillor John Slater

Following debate, and Amended Motion was circulated to members as follows (amendments in italics and bold):

Amendment to the Motion on Winter Heating Payment

The Council consider that the Chancellor’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel payment to only those in receipt of Pension Credits may be seen as contrary to the universality of the payment as introduced by Gordon Brown in 1997, but we believe that there is no longer any justification for this benefit to be paid to all pensioners, including the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

8.1 Annual Report of the Audit and Governance Committee for 2023/24.

8.2 Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees for 2023/24.

8.3 Progress of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Council Forum received the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2023/24 along with an update on progress of the Policy and Corporat eResources, Health and Social Care, Children and Young People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee in the current Municipal Year.

Councillor Riley presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Mahmood presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Talbot presented his report and responded ot questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor McGurk presented her report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Casey presented the report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be ntoed.

Councillor Floyd presented her report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councilor Gunn presented her report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor M Hussain presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To consider any questions received from Members under Procedure Rule 11.

No questions from Members had been received under Procedure Rule 11.